A word like “submerged” is tricky when read standalone. Have you been, are you now, or are you the one doing it. Where you put yourself in the scenario is critical. Are you about to discover something unknown or is it a matter of finally being freed. Those thoughts filled my mind as I revealed the wonders that awaited me in Submerged: Hidden Depths from Uppercut Games.
Submerged: Hidden Depths
Publisher: Uppercut Games
Available on: Epic Store; PS4; PS5; Xbox One; Xbox Series X; Stadia; Steam;
Submereged: Hidden Depths is the sequel to Uppercut’s 2015 game Submerged. To quickly recap that game, you play as a young woman named Miku as she sails around a ruined and sunken civilization. As you disembark, you platform to retrieve crates seeking to heal your sick brother Taku. This second chapter to their adventure finds the younger sibling’s health restored and the two working together to uncover answers about what happened to society. Their success lies in the sister’s hidden ability to free the lands of Mass that consumes them. Similar to the original the sequel’s platforming activities are just as simplistic. However, don’t allow this design decision to deter you from this disc. Free of excessive distractions, the publisher is able to focus on layering the mystery.
Subherged: Hidden Depths’ structure consists of two primary activities. Your steer your boat, which has upgrades to discover, via the control stick with R2 to accelerates and L2 for reverse. You’ll get comfortable with these controls since most of the world in Submerged: Hidden Depths is well..submerged. When you dock you will discover how swiftly and nimbly both characters move. With the exception of a few highlighted places to interact or collect something, there is no button pressing. If you approach a climbable area or surface your character climbs. Hit a jump or parkour area and they clamber on through. None of the typical struggles to jump or not fall exist in this game. As for enemies, the only threat to this world already took place.
As I said you are free to discover, although the Revenants, humans and animals consumed when the Mass arrived, are haunting to come across. Shattered pictures, stuck in sadness and for all time.
Think about the makeup of the modern platformer for a moment. Typically the player traverses an area in order to complete an objective, although smaller quests or collectibles may exist along the way. However before reaching their objective the player will have to overcome a singular or multiple hindrances along the way. Hindrances usually are in the form of a(n) enemy combatant(s), though sometimes just traversal can be a problem. Breaks in the monotony but I have a question. How many of you after these moments have uttered the phrase “I gotta take a break”? Do you often need a vacation from your vacation as well?
flow like an orinoco
With the amount of talent (and finances) studios invest you assume they hope to create an immersive experience. Immersion has two major components, what it does and how you create it. The first is what it does which is pull the viewer (or player) into a real or even imaginary world, offering them the ability to interact and manipulate that world. Second, visuals and sounds (and possibly technology) are the tools to create this experience.
Despite the talents the studios provide for these areas of games, isn’t it often the gameplay mechanics on which a games success hinges? Sometimes the enemies the game provides don’t ruin our experience it’s our expectation. Without having to prepare for these encounters the player can do what Uppercut Games wanted which is to relax and reveal.
You are able to notice the waves breaking against your boat, increasing at times to indicate a mounting storm. And yes that storm does arrive, only to subside. Night changes to day as well. This is a brilliantly illuminated and colorful world to behold. All while listening music ranging from symphonic ballads to jungle rythms, composed by industry veteran Jeff Van Dyck.
It is foolish to believe that simple means easy, however. The designers have layered the levels, there is a bit of discovery to locating every possible item. But you feel freer in your adventure as you undertake each task. If there is any tension present it is because the game creates it with the tale, not moments of terror.
The most magical moment in the game occurs once Miku acquires a seed. As you move through the area holding the seed, the Mass begins to change. The once massive molten tar tendrils transform into a floral array. Also, areas that were once inaccessible become passable, allowing for Miku to easily return the seed to it’s resting place. Restoring an area creates a connection to it and the Dome where Miku and Taku reside, though the meaning remains unknown at the moment. You can sense Taku’s confidence grow with each moment, while witnessing Miku hide her fear’s of this power from her brother.
That is the beauty that exists in Submerged: Hidden Depths that you won’t get in some other platformers. It allows you to experience the moments that are often concealed.
Score: 8.7