Summary
- Endless Ocean Luminous introduces mythical and prehistoric sea creatures in a new underwater setting.
- The game focuses on exploration over combat, resembling Subnautica's vibe but without survival elements.
- Luminous may appeal to gamers waiting for Subnautica 3, with a richly designed world and underwater adventures.
The February 21 Nintendo Switch Partner Direct concluded with the surprise announcement of Endless Ocean Luminous, a new title in the Endless Ocean series of underwater exploration games. The game retains the original Endless Ocean titles' focus on exploration over combat or puzzles. However, the addition of a constantly changing underwater layout, larger sunken ruins to explore, and prehistoric and mythical fish species brings to mind the Subnautica series as a potential influence on upcoming Nintendo Switch title Endless Ocean Luminous.
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Luminous Moves Away From Previous Endless Ocean Titles' Grounded Setting
Luminous is the third title in the Endless Ocean series, which began with the Nintendo Wii title Endless Ocean in 2007 and continued with the sequel Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep, also known as Endless Ocean: Blue World. While both previous titles featured fictional settings that contained a mix of sea creatures that would not be found together in the real world, they focused primarily on modern, existing species.
Even Endless Ocean: Blue World's Legendary Creatures, a series of thirty rare specimens that could only be encountered under specific circumstances, were primarily large or unusually colored versions of real fish and mammals. There were, however, a few exceptions, such as:
- The Pelago Crocodile, an enormous crocodile thought to be extinct.
- The Singing Dragon, a rare and un-classifiable species of whale.
- Okeanos' Guardian, an enormous, mutated creature that somewhat resembles a goblin shark.
Endless Ocean Luminous fully embraces both prehistoric and mythical sea creatures in its Veiled Sea setting. The trailer showed off several examples, including a Mosasaurus, a massive prehistoric predator which gained popularity following its appearance in the Jurassic World films. Only one mythical creature is seen, an enormous white being that is not given an official name, but the trailer seemingly confirms that multiple legendary underwater denizens will make an appearance.
Some Subnautica Elements May Be Present In Endless Ocean Luminous
Subnautica is primarily a survival game, with players having to stay alive in a chaotic underwater world. Endless Ocean Luminous seems to be more sedate and focused on exploration; players will likely not have to worry about managing hunger or thirst. Additionally, if the first trailer is accurate, it seems that combat with hostile creatures, introduced in Endless Ocean 2, will not be returning. In this way, Luminous is most similar to Subnautica's Creative Mode, which removes health, thirst, and the need for resources to craft items.
Aesthetically, however, Endless Ocean Luminous definitely seems to have been inspired by Subnautica in many small ways. The Partner Direct trailer showed a group of players exploring a coral-covered ancient ruin that definitely gives major Subnautica vibes. The setting of the Veiled Sea, an ever-changing expanse of water that looks different each time players dive into it, also brings the popular ocean survival title to mind. And Subnautica and its sequel are, of course, filled with unique fauna, although they tend towards fictional creatures and bizarre hybrids of existing ocean dwellers, such as the Jellyray (jellyfish stingray) or Ampeel (anglerfish eel.)
Luminous Could Tide Players Over During The Wait For Subnautica 3
The most recent Subnautica project released was Subnautica: Below Zero in 2021. Initially imagined as a DLC pack for the first Subnautica, it later became large enough to be developed as a standalone game. Developer Unknown Worlds did eventually confirm that Subnautica 3 was in development, and hinted that it may enter Early Access as early as 2024. However, players waiting for Subnautica 3 could definitely give Endless Ocean Luminous a try in the meantime. The two games are not completely similar, but both will likely offer fascinating underwater adventures in a richly designed world.
Endless Ocean Luminous will release on May 2, 2024 for the Nintendo Switch. Preorders are currently available.
Nintendo Switch
- Brand
- Nintendo
- Battery
- 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required
The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid portable and home console that aims to be the only gaming system anyone needs. The hybrid controller is an undisputed success because it provides a high degree of portable visual quality and converts easily into a home console.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Dimensions
- 13.7 x 7.8 x 3.66 inches
- Weight
- 2.65 pounds