Endless Ocean Luminous
{{short description|2024 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates |date=June 2024}}
{{infobox video game
| image = Endless Ocean Luminous Cover.jpg
| caption = Cover art
| title = Endless Ocean Luminous
| developer = Arika
| publisher = Nintendo
| director = Akito Kitamura
| producer = Shinji Watanabe
Akira Kinashi
Shinya Saito
| artist = Jun Hosoba
| writer =
| programmer = Hitoshi Hirashima
| composer = Shinji Hosoe
Ayako Saso
Takahiro Eguchi
| engine =
| platform = Nintendo Switch
| released = May 2, 2024
| genre = Adventure, simulation
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
{{Nihongo foot|Endless Ocean Luminous|フォーエバーブルー ルミナス|Fōebāburū ruminasu|lit. "Forever Blue Luminous"|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 2024 adventure simulation game developed by Arika and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. As the third game in the Endless Ocean series, Luminous marks the first installment since 2009's Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep for the Wii.
Similar to previous entries, the player takes the role of a scuba diver tasked with encountering and documenting marine life. Additionally, the game features online multiplayer that allows groups of up to 30 players to explore together. The game was announced in a February 2024 Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase and released on May 2, 2024 to mixed reviews.
Gameplay
{{further|Endless Ocean|Endless Ocean 2}}
Endless Ocean Luminous tasks the player with exploring the Veiled Sea, a fictional, unexplored region, in order to encounter and document marine life.{{Cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/endless-ocean-luminous-lets-up-to-30-players-scuba-together-on-nintendo-switch-this-may/|title=Endless Ocean Luminous lets up to 30 players scuba together on Nintendo Switch this May|last=Mills|first=Steven|date=February 21, 2024|website=Destructoid|access-date=February 21, 2024|archive-date=February 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221152438/https://www.destructoid.com/endless-ocean-luminous-lets-up-to-30-players-scuba-together-on-nintendo-switch-this-may/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-wii-game-endless-ocean-getting-switch-sequel|title=Nintendo Wii Game Endless Ocean Getting Switch Sequel|last=Dinsdale|first=Ryan|date=February 21, 2024|website=IGN|access-date=February 21, 2024|archive-date=February 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221224219/https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-wii-game-endless-ocean-getting-switch-sequel|url-status=live}} The game itself has over 500 species to learn about, including creatures that are deemed mythical or extinct such as the Mosasaurus.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/endless-ocean-luminous-dives-onto-nintendo-switch-in-may/1100-6521245/|title=Endless Ocean: Luminous Dives Onto Nintendo Switch In May|last=Fanelli|first=Jason|date=February 21, 2024|website=GameSpot|access-date=February 21, 2024|archive-date=February 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221145138/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/endless-ocean-luminous-dives-onto-nintendo-switch-in-may/1100-6521245/|url-status=live}} Outside of marine life, the player can also explore underwater structures such as temples and shipwrecks.{{Cite web |last=Lennox |first=Jesse |date=February 21, 2024 |title=Nintendo fans can dive into Endless Ocean Luminous this spring |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/endless-ocean-luminous-announcement/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221152331/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/endless-ocean-luminous-announcement/ |archive-date=February 21, 2024 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=Digital Trends}} Luminous features a new mechanic for the series in which the region will change with each dive the player goes on.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/24079098/endless-ocean-luminous-switch-nintendo-direct|title=The Wii's extremely chill scuba-diving series is, unexpectedly, back|last=Welsh|first=Oli|date=February 21, 2024|website=Polygon|access-date=February 21, 2024|archive-date=February 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221175246/https://www.polygon.com/24079098/endless-ocean-luminous-switch-nintendo-direct|url-status=live}}
Unlike the multiplayer modes in previous installments, the game allows groups of up to 30 online players to embark on dives together.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/youll-be-able-to-dive-into-endless-ocean-luminous-on-may-2|title=You'll be able to dive into Endless Ocean Luminous on May 2|last=Maker|first=Connor|date=February 21, 2024|website=VG247|access-date=February 21, 2024|archive-date=February 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221224038/https://www.vg247.com/youll-be-able-to-dive-into-endless-ocean-luminous-on-may-2|url-status=live}} Players in groups can share their findings and communicate between one another via emotes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegamer.com/endless-ocean-nintendo-switch-multiplayer/|title=New Endless Ocean Coming To Nintendo Switch With 30 Player Multiplayer|last=Troughton|first=James|date=February 21, 2024|website=TheGamer|access-date=February 21, 2024|archive-date=February 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221224035/https://www.thegamer.com/endless-ocean-nintendo-switch-multiplayer/|url-status=live}}
Development
Endless Ocean Luminous is the third game in the Endless Ocean series after Endless Ocean (2007) and Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep (2009). The game was developed by Japanese video game company Arika and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch.{{Cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/endless-ocean-luminous-comes-to-switch-on-may-2024/|title=Endless Ocean Luminous Comes to Switch in May 2024|last=Bueno|first=Daniel|date=February 21, 2024|website=Siliconera|access-date=February 21, 2024|archive-date=February 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221160238/https://www.siliconera.com/endless-ocean-luminous-comes-to-switch-on-may-2024/|url-status=live}} Luminous was first announced at the end of a Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase in late February 2024 and was given the release date of May 2, 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/endless-ocean-is-coming-to-nintendo-switch-with-support-for-30-players/|title=Endless Ocean is coming to Nintendo Switch with support for 30-players|last=Robinson|first=Andy|date=February 21, 2024|website=Video Games Chronicle|access-date=February 21, 2024|archive-date=February 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221144234/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/endless-ocean-is-coming-to-nintendo-switch-with-support-for-30-players/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/02/endless-ocean-luminous-is-coming-to-switch-in-may|title=Endless Ocean: Luminous Is Coming To Switch In May|last=Reynolds|first=Ollie|date=February 21, 2024|website=Nintendo Life|access-date=February 21, 2024|archive-date=February 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221174039/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/02/endless-ocean-luminous-is-coming-to-switch-in-may|url-status=live}} Music and sound effects were created by the music production company SuperSweep, including Shinji Hosoe, Ayako Saso, and Takahiro Eguchi.{{Cite tweet |number=1785945152743469214 |user=super_sweep |title=本日発売、Nintendo SWITCH フォーエバーブルー ルミナス 弊社サウンドスタッフ、佐宗・細江・江口がBGM・効果音担当させていただきました。 |date=May 2, 2024}}
Reception
{{Expand section|date=April 2024}}
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 61/100{{efn|Based on 63 reviews}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/endless-ocean-luminous/|title=Endless Ocean Luminous - Nintendo Switch Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=April 30, 2024|archive-date=April 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430160042/https://www.metacritic.com/game/endless-ocean-luminous/|url-status=live}}
| DT = 2.5/5{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/endless-ocean-luminous-review-nintendo-switch/|title=Endless Ocean: Luminous review: chill underwater adventure runs out of air|last=Colantonio|first=Giovanni|date=April 30, 2024|website=Digital Trends|access-date=April 30, 2024}}
| GSpot = 3/10{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/endless-ocean-luminous-review-hope-you-really-like-fish/1900-6418223/|title=Endless Ocean: Luminous Review - Hope You Really Like Fish|last=Watts|first=Steve|date=May 2, 2024|website=GameSpot|access-date=May 2, 2024}}
| HC = 80/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reviews/analisis-endless-ocean-luminous-nintendo-switch-1382975|title=Análisis de Endless Ocean Luminous, el juego de submarinismo que no sabía que necesitaba|language=es|last=Lloret|first=Alberto|date=April 30, 2024|website=Hobby Consolas|access-date=April 30, 2024}}
| IGN = 4/10{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/endless-ocean-luminous-review|title=Endless Ocean Luminous Review|last=Plant|first=Logan|date=April 30, 2024|website=IGN|access-date=April 30, 2024}}
| JXV = 11/20{{Cite web|url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/test/1879365/cette-exclu-switch-signe-le-retour-d-une-vieille-licence-qui-aurait-mieux-fait-de-rester-dans-l-ombre.htm|title=Cette exclu Switch signe le retour d'une vieille licence qui aurait mieux fait de rester dans l'ombre|author=Tiraxa|language=fr|date=April 30, 2024|website=Jeuxvideo.com|access-date=April 30, 2024}}
| NLife = 5/10{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/endless-ocean-luminous|title=Endless Ocean: Luminous Review (Switch)|last=O'Reilly|first=PJ|date=April 30, 2024|website=Nintendo Life|access-date=April 30, 2024}}
| PCG = 5/10{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcgames.de/Endless-Ocean-Luminous-Spiel-74663/Tests/Test-Review-Wertung-Nintendo-Switch-Release-Termin-Veroeffentlichung-Gameplay-1446450/4/|title=Endless Ocean Luminous im Test: Hilfe, sie haben dem Spiel die Seele geklaut!|last=Schmid|first=Lukas|language=de|date=April 30, 2024|website=PC Games|access-date=April 30, 2024}}
| PCM = 3/5{{Cite web|url=https://uk.pcmag.com/nintendo-games/152084/endless-ocean-luminous|title=Endless Ocean Luminous Shallow sea dives|last=Minor|first=Jordan|date=April 30, 2024|website=PCMag|access-date=April 30, 2024|archive-date=April 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430225706/https://uk.pcmag.com/nintendo-games/152084/endless-ocean-luminous|url-status=live}}
| SN = 7/10{{Cite web|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/139709/endless-ocean-luminous-review-score|title=Endless Ocean Luminous review: Deep blue sea|last=Mejia|first=Ozzie|date=April 30, 2024|website=Shacknews|access-date=April 30, 2024}}
| TGMIt = 6.5/10{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegamesmachine.it/endless-journey-luminous-nintendo-switch/endless-ocean-luminous-recensione/|title=Endless Ocean Luminous – Recensione|language=it|last=Dellafrana|first=Danilo|date=April 30, 2024|website=The Games Machine|access-date=May 2, 2024|archive-date=May 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502165636/https://www.thegamesmachine.it/endless-journey-luminous-nintendo-switch/endless-ocean-luminous-recensione/|url-status=live}}
| TR = 4/5{{Cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/gaming/endless-ocean-luminous-review|title=Endless Ocean Luminous review - splendid Switch spelunking|last=Wood|first=Rhys|date=April 30, 2024|website=TechRadar|access-date=April 30, 2024}}
| VGC = 3/5{{Cite web|url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/endless-ocean-luminous/|title=Endless Ocean Luminous is a One-Trick Seahorse, But a Pleasant One|last=Scullion|first=Chris|date=April 30, 2024|website=Video Games Chronicle|access-date=April 30, 2024}}
}}
It was released to a score of 61/100 on review aggregator Metacritic, indicating mixed to average reviews.
Andrew Webster of The Verge gave Endless Ocean Luminous a positive review, describing the gameplay as basic but fun nonetheless. He described the game as at its best when played alone and exploring with no goal in mind, and considered the story mode and Mystery Board "mundane."{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/24144686/endless-ocean-luminous-review-nintendo-switch |title=Endless Ocean Luminous is a simple, serene swim on the Switch |last=Webster |first=Andrew |website=The Verge |date=April 30, 2024 |access-date=April 30, 2024}}
{{clear}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Official website|https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/endless-ocean-luminous-switch/}}
{{Everblue series}}
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Nintendo Switch games
Category:Nintendo Switch-only games
Category:Scuba diving video games
Category:Simulation video games