Endless Ocean: Luminous – Everything We Know

The ocean is beautiful to the point of being majestic, with thousands of exotic plant and animal species and alien-like underwater landscapes. Interestingly, the vast majority of the ocean is still unexplored and could hold even more wondrous beauty than is already known. Overall, this is mostly the concept behind Endless Ocean: Luminous, an adventure/exploration game set in the vast and deep blue.

The game is scheduled to launch on May 2, 2024. However, many fans can’t wait, and most would appreciate a glimpse of what’s to come. Fortunately, while Nintendo hasn’t disclosed much about the game, we have some insight into some of its important details. Here is an overview of everything we know about Endless Ocean: Luminous.

What is Endless Ocean: Luminous?

Endless Ocean: Luminous is a scuba-diving exploration and adventure role-playing video game. It is a sequel to Endless Ocean 2: Blue World, released in 2010. To this end, this game has been 14 years in the making and is highly anticipated. The game was recently announced during the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase and is scheduled to launch soon.

Story

Nintendo hasn’t gone into specifics about the story behind Endless Ocean: Luminous, leaving us to assume that it will be a continuation of the series’ main story. Notably, the story behind Endless Ocean 1 is about a marine biologist trying to finish her deceased father’s aquatic research. The story remains the same in Endless Ocean 2 but features more characters, various quality-of-life improvements, and a much larger scale.

Ideally, the latest version will continue the same pattern. To this end, it will feature the adventurous marine biologist exploring the ocean’s depths for new marine life, lost treasures, and other mysteries.

Gameplay

Endless Ocean: Luminous entails scuba-diving to explore the depths and stretches of the Veiled Sea. Notably, the sea is dynamic and the environment changes every time you dive, offering entirely new gaming experiences. Interestingly, the new singular and dynamic map in this game differs from the multiple maps in the previous editions.

You can roam the vast ocean freely when you dive. Interestingly, the ocean is home to over 500 diverse species of marine life, including some mythical or long-extinct creatures. Notable extinct creatures in the game include the Mosasaurus and Anomalocaris, while the mythical creatures are still a mystery. Interestingly, the creatures in Endless Ocean: Luminous are more realistic than in the two previous versions, making the experience feel more authentic.

Overall, your main role is to document as many creatures as possible. Interestingly, you can also pet safe and friendly creatures. Moreover, you can cooperate with intelligent sea creatures like dolphins. What’s more, the new version will expand on the dolphin companion system, enabling you to teach dolphins new tricks and use them to navigate through the water. However, it is also worth noting that some creatures are dangerous and can attack with or without provocation.

Besides exploring and documenting exotic sea creatures, you can also find and collect valuable treasures from sunken ships and submerged ancient ruins. Interestingly, you can also share and trade your treasures with other players through an intuitive in-game UI. Moreover, you can also dive alongside up to 30 other players and explore the ocean as a group when playing the multiplayer mode. Notably, you can interact with other players in real-time and engage in occasional dialogues to keep things lively.

Overall, the graphics in this game are sharper and better than the previous games, considering the 14-year difference. To this end, everything looks better and more realistic, including the magnificent coral reefs, lifelike sea creatures, aquatic plants, and even the regular streams of air bubbles from your air tank. Overall, the sharp graphics and attention to detail will make this game one of the best in the genre. Moreover, the game also features enchanting soundtracks to make the gaming experience more immersive and engaging.

Development

Nintendo is the developer and publisher of Endless Ocean: Luminous. The company announced this game at the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase in February. Notably, the announcement was to the delight of many fans, considering that it has been 14 years since the previous title launched. Interestingly, Nintendo also announced the scheduled launch of other popular game titles in various genres, including Grounded, Pentiment, and Penny’s Big Breakaway.

Trailer

The official Endless Ocean: Luminous trailer lasts for two minutes and includes enticing and serene scenes of the Veiled Sea. The scenes include diverse marine wildlife, including pre-historic and mythological creatures. Moreover, you can also see various aquatic plants and majestic coral reefs. Additionally, you can catch a glimpse of some of the submerged ancient ruins scattered throughout the vast map. Interestingly, it also showcases the multiplayer mode with many players swimming alongside each other and interacting underwater.

Besides the enticing scenes, the trailer also includes a narration of what to expect from the game. Interestingly, the narrating voice is smooth and calming, like the overall gameplay design.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Endless Ocean: Luminous will launch on May 2, 2024. However, fans can pre-order the game now at Nintendo’s online store for about $50. Interestingly, the game is also eligible for the Nintendo Switch game voucher program, enabling you to save some money. Notably, you can preload the game on Nintendo Switch Online and claim a 7-day free trial if you pre-order the game.

This game will only be available on Nintendo Switch. Unfortunately, this is a limited scope that limits alternative preferences for most players. However, the playing experience is also exclusive and worth it.

The only other editions for this game are the other two versions in the series: Endless Ocean 1 and Endless Ocean 2: Blue World. Notably, Nintendo released the previous two editions more than a decade ago, and there is no telling whether or when it will release another edition.

So, what’s your take on our insights on Endless Ocean: Luminous? Are you looking forward to playing the game? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.