Abzu derives form the ancient words, Ab, for “ocean,” and Zu, which means “to know.” Developers over at Giant Squid intended the interpretation of the title to read as, “ocean of wisdom.” On surface level, it seems as if Abzu is a game similar in style to Journey, but underwater instead of in the desert. While that is not far from the truth, I feel that the creator Matt Nava took the great model that is Journey, and created a very refreshing and meditative experience in Abzu.
What is immediately apparent in Abzu is the art style and choice of color. This may easily be one of the most beautiful games on the market right now. While it does not have the production value of an Uncharted 4 or The Order:1886; Abzu itself has an art style that puts vibrant colors on blast as you watch seaweed dance to and fro in the ocean currents and the cornucopia of different colored fish swimming in schools of its brethren as they swirl around you in ways that are graphically appealing. So, sure, it may not have the best graphics on the market, but it has an art style that will leave a bigger impact on you than either of the games listed above.
While the visuals are breathtaking, the real thing that will stick with you well past the game’s playtime is the musical score. Just like Journey, the music is composed by Austin Wintory. Wintory’s work on Journey won a Grammy back at the game’s launch, making it the first game to ever get such an accolade. While Journey’s musical score was beyond memorable, Abzu one ups it in every way imaginable. The score swells up in all the right moments, while taking more somber approaches at other times. More than once I found myself setting the controller down simply to take in the amazing score. Eye bleeding visuals elevate the music in ways that are appealing to all of the senses. Nearly one month later after launch and it is still high on my list of go-to tunes when I am at work.
Meditating in the Game is a Good Way to Take in the Sites
The controls themselves are simple and practical. You will find yourself lackadaisically exploring each area as you discover new fish and take in the beautiful scenery. Rocks are placed so that your character can meditate which gives you a nice view of the area you occupy. The player can hitch a ride on large animals, locate quick moving sea currents, as well as breach out of the water like a whale. There are small narrative moments where the player discovers old tech that can be re-programmed with the intent to follow you from place to place. Additionally, the game adds ancient murals and hieroglyphics that tell a story – if you can put the pieces together.
Hieroglyphics are all around this world and if you are visually keen, you can piece together the environmental story.
Much like Journey, the story itself is in the journey you are taking. Piecing together out of context murals and relationships you build with other sea life is just the tip of the iceberg. Come the game’s end, you will have many questions and be left with a plethora of thoughts as to what exactly you just experienced. While it doesn’t have the emotional resonance as Journey, the ending did have a smile breach across my face. It was a grin so wide that it is hard to even claim that the game did not have some sort of impact on me.
Abzu is a beautiful game, with a wonderful score, and is filled with smile inducing moments. If you enjoy these art based, short experiences, I highly recommend you give this one a try. While it may feel like a beat for beat retread of Matt Nava’s previous work, the game speaks for itself as a brand new experience. Ideas are taken from Journey and utilized in brilliant way to create a new experience that still feels familiar in all the right ways. Do yourself a favor and get lost in the world of Abzu.
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This week for kids and their parents alike I have three fantastic children’s books everyone should check out.
Whimsical, gorgeous and unique with compelling art these three books cover all age groups; you are guaranteed a satisfying read for bedtime or for summer reading. Happy Summer!
Journey
by Aaron Becker
Journey by Aaron Becker is an adventure through a lonely girl’s rampant imagination (or is it?) when her family pays her no attention and she finds escape in a magic crayon. Built from the same classic foundation of children’s storytelling as Where the Wild Things Are and most notably Harold & The Purple Crayon, Journey is perfect for all ages as there is no dialogue. Its story and its narrative is told simply through artist-author Aaron Becker’s beautiful full page watercolor and pen illustrations as you follow the little girl through fantastic lands and architecture as she manipulates her experience along the way with her crayon. Her adventures culminate in the little girl going up against a cruel Emperor and the rescue of a mysterious purple bird.
Timeless, the book is just as evocative as it’s literary ancestors of fifty years ago and can stand the test of time just as they have due to it’s simple yet universal plot. And yet it does make small commentary on modern family life, particularly the effect of electronics on people and familial interaction. Poignant and sweet Journey above all teaches kindness and the importance of imagination and finding others that think and feel the same way you do. Many kids will relate to the feeling our protagonist feels despite the complete lack of dialogue. Looking forward to seeing this book becoming a perennial favorite and a future children’s classic.
Maude: The Not-So-Noticeable Shrimpton
by Lauren Child, illustrated by Trisha Krauss
A book for kids about ages five to eight who enjoy Edward Gorey style fables Maude is a quirky story about the eccentric and attention-grabbing Shrimpton family and then their not-so attention grabbing middle daughter, Maude. Each family member has a special attention getting skill be it their beauty, dancing, singing, humor, their taste in hats or even their majestic mustache, that is except for Maude. She’s the odd-one in the family.
Can you see Maude?
Maude’s skill is that instead of being attention getting or extroverted, she has the uncanny ability to disappear and hide. Maude’s unnoticeable nature is seen as a disappointment in the family, that is until her family buys her an animal for her birthday present; it’s something Maude did not ask for. A lesson in introversion being just as an acceptable thing to be if not better than being extroverted and attention getting all the time, Maude is a darkly humorous tale that shyer kids and adolescents, middle-childs, or ones with a quick wit and a nasty sense of humor could easily relate to and enjoy. Trisha Krauss’ stylized mod artwork further creates a funny off-kilter and artful feel; the Shrimpton’s are a very stylish family. Wickedly dark, easy to read with fun various fonts and formatting and interesting art make it morbidly enjoyable.
Bluffton: My Summers With Buster
by Matt Phelan
Matt Phelan illustration from ‘Bluffton: My Summers With Buster.’
A graphic novel for ages ten to fifteen to ninety-two Bluffton is a warm and poignant look at the sleepy resort town of Muskegon, Michigan around the turn of the twentieth-century. Matt Phelan creates a gentle and cinematic-like story in soft watercolors following the fictional resident Henry Harrison as his life is turned upside down when a troupe of vaudeville performers comes to take a summer retreat by their lakeside community in 1908.
Matt Phelan’s young Buster Keaton. Got the stare down.
Young Henry in his new-found curiosity for the bizarre world of vaudeville (particularly a zebra) that has interrupted the sleepy daily flow soon thereafter meets a young stone-faced performer his own age named Buster. Yep, Buster Keaton of future slapstick silent film fame. Based loosely on true accounts of Buster Keaton’s real-life lake-side summers, Phelan’s heartfelt friendship between Buster and Henry and their subsequent summertime fun, disagreements and reconciliation over a period of three summers is a perfect coming-of-age story and teaches the importance of dreams, individualized personal aspirations and keeping inspirational influences in your lives. And of course appreciate summers to their fullest. Brimming with comedic moments, the graphic novel has threads of more serious issues too considering the life of a child in show-business urged on by family, but in all it is a book is full of genuine heart and feeling. Bluffton is a nostalgic look at slice-of-life Americana and a fine placid introduction to the graphic-novel medium for readers of a younger age. Highly recommended for reading over a period of nights if reading together or to another, or great for helping readers branch out into more independent and sophisticated reading. If your children dislike novels, try this instead. Adults are urged to take this lovely trip back in time too, I found it extremely enjoyable and may find itself considered a classic as well. Extremely special.
Let me know if you’ve read these books yourself or with your child in the comments! Let me know what you think!
Until next week!
Max Eber
Staff Writer/The Doctor
max@sub-cultured.com
Twitter: @maxlikescomics
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