Finished Sword of the Sea? Dive Into ABZÛ — Giant Squid’s Underrated Underwater Gem
Sword of the Sea, the new game from Giant Squid led by Journey art director Matt Nava, is out now on console and PC. If you like its ocean exploration, then ABZÛ — Giant Squid’s 2016 debut — is a closely related experience worth trying. ABZÛ shares movement, exploration, and creature design with Sword of the Sea, and it also lets you dive fully underwater.
- Quick summary: how ABZÛ and Sword of the Sea are similar, what ABZÛ actually is, and why it stands out.
What ABZÛ is — the basics
ABZÛ was released in 2016. The game places the player in the fins of a nameless diver and takes place almost entirely underwater. There is no dialogue, no text-based lore, and no combat. In addition, the story is told through wordless cutscenes and mural-like visuals, and the player cannot die.
Gameplay and pacing
ABZÛ focuses on exploration, puzzle-solving, and movement. Players swim through large aquatic levels, free trapped creatures, and restore damaged biomes using simple controls. The game’s length is short: it can be completed in roughly three to four hours.
Movement and creature behavior
During development, Giant Squid studied waves, currents, and schools of fish. As a result, ABZÛ’s swimming mechanics emphasize the feeling of moving through water rather than floating in zero gravity. Smaller creatures react and scatter when approached, while larger creatures can carry the player. These mechanics aim to create a realistic underwater sensation.
How ABZÛ compares to Sword of the Sea
Both games emphasize exploration, environmental storytelling, and satisfying movement. Moreover, they share visual assets and are set in the same universe. However, ABZÛ differs mainly by allowing full underwater diving and by presenting its story without text or dialogue.
Tone and themes
ABZÛ presents a largely serene but sometimes unsettling ocean. The environments range from shallow, life-filled areas to deeper, more desolate regions that hint at environmental damage. The game presents this material without overt messaging, leaving interpretation to the player.
Who might want to play
If you enjoyed Sword of the Sea’s aquatic movement and art, then ABZÛ offers a short, focused experience with similar strengths. It’s a non-violent exploration game with an emphasis on visuals, swimming mechanics, and environmental restoration.
