Beyond Blue (video game)
{{short description|2020 educational video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}{{Infobox video game
| title = Beyond Blue
| developer = E-Line Media
| publisher = E-Line Media
| genre = Educational, adventure
| platforms = {{ubl|iOS|macOS|tvOS|Windows|PlayStation 4|Xbox One|Nintendo Switch}}
| released = iOS, macOS, tvOS
April 17, 2020
Windows, PS4, Xbox One
June 11, 2020
Nintendo Switch
November 11, 2021
| modes = Single-player
| image = Beyond Blue cover.jpeg
| alt =
| engine = Unity
}}
Beyond Blue is an educational underwater diving adventure game developed and published by American{{Cite web|title=E-Line Media|url=https://twitter.com/elinemedia|access-date=2020-08-23|website=Twitter|language=en}} studio E-Line Media, who had formerly developed Never Alone. The game was inspired by the BBC's Blue Planet II nature documentary series. It was released in 2020 on iOS, macOS, and tvOS through Apple Arcade on April 17, and on Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on June 11.{{Cite web|title=Beyond Blue|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/beyond-blue/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|access-date=2020-08-22|website=Metacritic|language=en}} The game was released for the Nintendo Switch on November 11, 2021.{{Cite web |title=Beyond Blue for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo |url=https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/beyond-blue-switch/ |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=www.nintendo.com |language=en-us}} It received positive reviews praising its quality for an educational game while criticizing its short length, graphics, and unrealistic nature.
Plot
The game's main character is Mirai, a deep-sea researcher who leads a research team to investigate ocean life, such as whales. The game combines educational and narrative aspects.{{Cite web|last=Stow|first=Rebecca|date=2020-06-12|title=Beyond Blue - An Ocean Exploration Sim with a Surprising Amount Below the Surface|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/beyond_blue|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613174949/http://www.pushsquare.com:80/reviews/ps4/beyond_blue |archive-date=2020-06-13 |access-date=2020-08-22|website=Push Square}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = (PC) 72/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/beyond-blue/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Beyond Blue for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=April 16, 2022}}
(PS4) 75/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/beyond-blue/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Beyond Blue for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=April 16, 2022}}
(XONE) 71/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/beyond-blue/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=Beyond Blue for Xbox One Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=April 16, 2022}}
(NS) 68/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/beyond-blue/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Beyond Blue for Switch Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=April 16, 2022}}
| TG = 3/5{{cite web |last=MacDonald |first=Keza |title=Beyond Blue review: Blue Planet II, the game |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2020/may/06/beyond-blue-review-blue-planet-ii-the-game |website=The Guardian |date=May 6, 2020 |access-date=April 16, 2022}}
| PCGUS = 71/100{{cite web |last=Watts |first=Rachel |title=Beyond Blue review |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/beyond-blue-review/ |website=PC Gamer |date=June 11, 2020 |access-date=April 16, 2022}}
| NLife = 6/10{{cite web |last=Ingram |first=Roland |title=Beyond Blue Review (Switch eShop) |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/beyond-blue |website=Nintendo Life |date=November 15, 2021 |access-date=April 16, 2022}}
| Destruct = 7/10{{cite web |last=Devore |first=Jordan |title=Review: Beyond Blue |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-beyond-blue/ |website=Destructoid |date=June 14, 2020 |access-date=April 16, 2022}}
| PSQ = 8/10{{cite web |last=Stow |first=Rebecca |title=Beyond Blue (PS4) |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/beyond_blue |website=Push Square |date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=April 16, 2022}}
| AdvGamers = 3.5/5{{cite web |last=Allin |first=Jack |title=Beyond Blue review |url=https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/beyond-blue |website=Adventure Gamers |date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=April 16, 2022}}
}}
The game received "mixed or average" reviews for Windows and Xbox One and "generally favorable" reviews for PlayStation 4, according to review aggregator Metacritic. The Switch port received "mixed or average" reviews.
Rebecca Stow of Push Square rated the game 8 stars out of 10, praising the game's atmosphere, narrative, music and voice acting, while criticizing the lack of realistic marine life. Rachel Watts of PC Gamer rated the game 71/100, saying that while the game was a "brilliant educational tool" due to its ability to scan wildlife, its environments felt empty and "uninspired", and its narrative remained "one-note".{{Cite web|last=Watts|first=Rachel|date=2020-06-11|title=Beyond Blue review|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/beyond-blue-review/|access-date=2020-08-22|website=PC Gamer|language=en-US}} Jordan Devore of Destructoid rated the game 7/10, calling it a "contemplative journey" with "beautiful imagery" and "heavenly" music, while criticizing the shallow aquatic simulation.{{Cite web|title=Review: Beyond Blue|url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/review-beyond-blue-592986.phtml|access-date=2020-08-22|website=Destructoid}}
Franchise
A new game titled Beyond Blue: After the Storm was announced for Meta Quest 3 on December 5th, 2024.{{Cite web |title=Beyond Blue 🐋🎮 on X |url=https://x.com/BeyondBlueGame/status/1864711711875334288}}{{Cite web |title=Beyond Blue: After the Storm on Meta Quest |url=https://www.meta.com/experiences/beyond-blue-after-the-storm/6708106275955939/}}