We know much more about the void of space than what lurks in the depths in the oceans of the world. It’s estimated that we have only really explored about 5% of the vast oceans. So, setting a game in the misty blue depths isn’t that crazy an idea, and over the years we have seen more than a few from horror titles like Soma and Silt, to more exploratory fare like ABZÛ and Under the Waves. The latest to dip its toe in the waters is Endless Ocean Luminous, a Nintendo Switch title from Arika of Japan.

Endless Ocean Luminous bills itself as an adventure simulation. And, more interestingly, this is the third game in the Endless Ocean series. Luminous marks the first instalment since 2009’s Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep for the Wii.

Not Quite Endless

Endless Ocean Luminous tasks you with exploring the Veiled Sea – a fictional, unexplored region of the world. You are tasked with finding and documenting the marine life that calls it home. You will also be exploring a few ruins; like temples and shipwrecks along the way.

The Veiled Sea is home to an impressive 500+ species to search out and learn about. The selection also includes a few special creatures that are ‘mythical’ let’s say, or even extinct. Stuff like the Mosasaurus and Megalodons give some flavour, it must be said. There are also UML’s (Unique Marine Life), which are fictional beasts that have an almost Pokémon Legendary feel to them. Finding these UMLs is random and based on luck.

Story of the Seas

There is a story running through things. Each creature you scan can allow you to harvest light which is used to help bring life back to a dying coral reef. This sickly reef, called the World Coral, has been hit by a mystery plague and its demise is bad news for everyone, so you feel compelled to prevent its death.

Endless Ocean Luminous Orca Whale Killer

The maguffins and plot points suffice as you potter around scanning bigger and odder-looking sea dwellers. Oddly, the game locks main story progress behind a set number of creatures or artefacts you must scan. And these artificial walls often kill the pace dead.

As you scan fish and artefacts, you’ll bank a bit of coin and in turn you can customise your gear a little with said cash. That said, it’s not the biggest or deepest customisation system.

Lonesome Float

Out with the single player side, there is a unique multiplayer side that changes things up from previous instalments a fair bit. Luminous allows groups of up to 30 online players to embark on huge dives together. These mass dives are probably your best bet in tracking down UMLs as well as a nice co-op experience

Endless Ocean Luminous coral reef save tips

Though worth noting communication is a bit limited just now, with no open chat system seeing you having to communicate by highlighting things and using emotes and stickers.

Now it may have hit you already, but this is a very laid-back titles – beyond having a set time for you dive. There is zero resource management or threats to be found, so nothing will attack you and you never have to fear running out of air.

Co-op diving exploration games Nintendo Switch

And this does impact the depth of its gameplay. Once you have had your fill snapping the fish, there’s not much left to do. This is a bit of a shame, but again it’s very much a chilled-out title, which you must bare in mind when you fire it up.

Visual Stunner

Visually, Endless Ocean Luminous looks very impressive as you find different biodomes and points of interest. Each of the creatures you pass by are well modelled and has a bit of charm to them .Even the ones with that ‘dead fish-eyed’ look look the part.

The audio is a beautiful and chilled soundscape that fits the part perfectly. It’s piano rich, and it plinks and moans away in the background. Only the bubbles escaping your air tank, and the occasional whale cry, break things up on the audio front.

Endless Ocean Luminous is a very laid-back game that can oversimplistic and sometimes shallow. But, if you’re looking for a game to play on a rainy day, or before bed, it’s perfect.

Endless Ocean Luminous customisation player character

The game is, in many ways, a water-themed spin on the Pokémon Snap formula, which isn’t a bad thing. It’s also the most ‘Marmite’ title I have played in a long time. Some will sink into it, while some will be turned off immediately.