REVIEW : Submerged: Hidden Depths (PC)
Submerged: Hidden Depths, which was first published as a Stadia exclusive in 2020, is now available on console and PC. The sequel to 2015’s Submerged, this calm adventure plays almost identically to its predecessor, so expect a relaxing ride across a flooded city as you sail, climb, and explore this post-apocalyptic environment. But is this adventure worth embarking on, or should it be abandoned at sea?
We begin with Miku and Taku, the former protagonists, a few years after their last trip (as evidenced by the fact that Taku has gone through puberty). I was startled to find the virtually little overarching story in the original game before starting this review, with the events of Submerged not being mentioned at all. However, if you haven’t played the first adventure in the series, starting with Submerged: Hidden Depths will not affect your enjoyment of the game.
The story isn’t front and centre, leaving a lot to the player’s imagination, but the basic premise is that The Mass, a sprawling excess of black, oozing vines, has absorbed what life remained of the flooded world’s species and replaced them with empty shells of the animals they once were. These husks are rather unnerving, blossoming into stances of their final moments as you approach, then returning to their blank state as you walk away. There’s a lot of mystery here, and much of the exposition is presented through collectables collected all across the area.
Unfortunately, many of my questions about the world and what had transpired remained unanswered in the nearly six hours it took Submerged: Hidden Depths to complete.
Miku and Taku cruise the world on their boat, akin to games like The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, looking for seeds that will purify the area of The Mass. The parts at sea serve little purpose other than getting to a new destination or hunting for collectables (many of which are aesthetic upgrades for Miku), but I found myself exploring the little map merely to explore and soak in the sights.
The majority of the gameplay that advances the tale takes place on the land. Here, you’ll take control of one of the duo — one decided by each explorable location — and hunt down even more collectables and upgrades for your boat, as well as plant the magical seeds required to clear the area of The Mass and progress the game. That’s all there is to it. There is no way to fail or die, as characters will automatically jump or climb in the direction you point them, creating a gaming cycle that some may find frustrating, while others may enjoy the relaxed experience.
Controls are simple and easy to use (including a one-handed arrangement that works quite well), so anyone can enjoy their time in this submerged world without worrying about intricate control schemes or lengthy button combinations. My entire playthrough may be labelled as “simple,” but that feels like I’m about to sell the game. There are few branching paths, save for a few out-of-the-way collectables, but because of its short length, it never felt stale.
The aesthetics for this sequel are considerably enhanced across the board; the animations appear smoother and more natural (a big step up from the jankiness of characters present in Submerged), and the magnificent aesthetic elevates Submerged: Hidden Depths miles above the previous game. The ocean, in particular, is superbly depicted, making sailing between the man-made islets a joy to behold. I paused several times to simply absorb the simple beauty, whether it was atop a damaged cruise ship as the sun set or piloting my boat through a particularly dense piece of Mass. Never before has a post-apocalyptic world appeared so lovely.
The beautifully crafted audio pieces are the ideal complement to the pictures. The melancholy piano and string compositions are perfectly suited to the pair’s isolation in the world, as are the uplifting tones when you return the seed to The Mass or have the opportunity to play as the more enthusiastic Taku. The audio emphasises that the game is intended to be a peaceful experience, and it does it effectively.
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