Bubble Man – Mega Man 2
For the uninitiated, Bubble Man’s stage may appear type of hellish. In spite of everything, though Mega Man strikes in the identical means as when he is on land, the gravity when you’re underwater is totally out of whack. Which means basic motion is slower than regular, and jumps can ship you skyrocketing into the air; a truth vastly exacerbated by the spikes lining the ceiling.
While you’re clued up on the final format of the stage, nevertheless, it may be an absolute blast. What helps vastly (and will increase the potential enjoyment much more) is if you happen to beat Metallic Man’s stage first and use its weapon, the Metallic Blade, throughout Bubble Man’s stage. These darn frogs, jellyfish, and shrimp change into nothing greater than mere annoyances whenever you’re chucking round saws in each path. OR
The Crater Edge – Subnautica
Diving into the waters of Planet 4546B means it’s important to be fairly courageous, notably as you discover The Crater Edge, which is a part of an enormous aquatic volcano. Sitting on the fringe of the map, The Crater Edge is filled with a few of the scariest and most harmful “fish” you could find. However exploring this darkish dank ocean could be totally thrilling — if you recognize what you are doing.
Subnautica could be stress-free in order for you it to be, however the darkish depths that await will nonetheless take a look at your nerves. Do not mess with these Ghost Leviathan — if you happen to see one thing glowing, keep away from it. AH
Lake Kingdom – Tremendous Mario Odyssey
Mario is one other franchise that appears to know how one can make an excellent water degree. Sure, Dire, Dire Rocks is iconic, and Tremendous Mario Galaxy has some glorious water-based ranges, however the serene, pastel Lake Kingdom needs to be my favorite.
Lake Lamode is house to a few of the greatest style designers on the planet. The clothes are lovely, the underwater flora is floaty, and the inhabitants are quirky. It is in all probability probably the most stress-free ranges in Tremendous Mario Odyssey — and I am unable to say that for a lot of water ranges. The underwater buildings, plaza, and even the shops are all submerged in pristine white-marbled buildings. Put merely, Lake Kingdom is a pleasure. AH
Tower of Antsudlo – Sea of Stars
Regardless of pulling collectively these beauties for this record, we’re effectively conscious that lots of water ranges generally is a little bit of a nightmare filled with tough mechanics and tedious design. However this could not be farther from Sea of Stars’ Tower of Antsudlo, a dungeon so chilled that I virtually forgot the dreaded underwater theming whereas taking part in.
The great thing about this one for me is in its simplicity. Tower of Antsudlo appears intimidating on the floor (or ‘beneath the floor,’ if we’re being choosy) with a large number of branching paths and transferring water pipes, however it’s truly pleasingly linear. You be taught the mechanic, you set it into follow, you repeat. Easy. There are not any nasty digicam controls or motion migraines to navigate, as a substitute you have got a satisfying central puzzle which is kindly there to carry your hand all through.
Oh, additionally — shock! horror! — the music slaps. JN
Rapture – Bioshock
Sure mate, it counts. From the second you scramble as much as the lighthouse and step into the bathysphere till (spoilers) the top, you are underwater! Bloody metropolis’s completely submerged, innit, and it is acquired ranges. It is in.
The very best factor I can say about Rapture is that regardless of it being a unclean, leaking hellscape stuffed with ghoulish denizens turned insane by way of gene-splicing, some glossy Artwork Deco styling and a winsome ’40s playlist can actually work wonders. Add in dramatic uplighting and classic amusement arcade trappings and it is a surprise Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen did not co-opt this model for each room he ever modified. , reasonably than portray every thing purple when the proprietor’s solitary stipulation was ‘no purple.’
Sure, Rapture is a horrible, horrible place, however it’s additionally one in every of gaming’s most immersive locales. Or ought to that be subversive?… Oh, cease selecting holes and scroll all the way down to the subsequent entry. GL
20,000 Lums Below the Sea – Rayman Legends
20,000 Lums Below the Sea is among the extra distinctive entries on this record. In case you’re questioning what you get if you happen to cross underwater exploration with a spy novel, effectively, right here it’s.
Impressed by Mission: Inconceivable, James Bond, and Splinter Cell (through Polygon), 20,000 Lums is a foreboding world that follows a complete spy mission. Some ranges are above-ground, some contain you swimming and infiltrating a base, and others have you ever sneaking by way of corridors and fixing puzzles. It is a improbable twist on the standard water degree, and modifications issues up simply sufficient so you are not driving your self mad swimming round as Rayman. AH
Aquas – Star Fox 64
As one in every of two oceanic planets within the Lylat System, Aquas is a fairly distinctive and memorable world in Star Fox. You may go to Aquas throughout the “laborious” route and allows you to pilot the Blue Marine. In case you like energy kicks, then you definately’ll love this submarine with its limitless homing torpedoes.
You may want to make use of these torpedoes to make your means by way of what generally is a fairly troublesome degree. there are ruins to destroy to open up paths and loads of unknown creatures to keep away from. And to high all of it off, an enormous mutant clam lies in wait on the finish. Going by this record, house and water makes for some fairly scary locales. AH
Aquarium Park – Sonic Colours Final
Take every thing that makes Hydrocity Zone enjoyable and put it into an underwater park. That is oversimplifying issues a bit of, however Aquarium Park is all about lovely surroundings and fast-paced water platforming.
Adorned with East Asian-inspired buildings and coated with a dome, Aquarium Park weaves paths above and under water, main Sonic down a Dragon Highway-style runway. It teaches you new methods to make use of the Drill Wisp, supplying you with much more velocity and suppleness beneath the water. It is that blend of the factitious park and the gorgeous, serene underwater areas that go away a long-lasting impression, and it is simply among the best water ranges in a 3D Sonic recreation. AH
Blue Gap – Dave The Diver
Dave loves nothing greater than spending time within the Blue Gap, and I am unable to blame him. Upon the primary dive, I used to be enraptured with the gorgeous, peaceable nature of the ocean. Even with risks lurking within the depths of the ocean, I used to be pleased to swim round and take my time gathering fish.
You see, the Blue Gap is extra than simply an ocean. It is house to the Sea Individuals, and homes many historic ruins from a long-gone time. A complete glacial area is hidden deep, deep past the traditional depth ranges. The ocean creatures get scarier — however you additionally get extra highly effective. Even with the specter of hazard, there’s nothing extra thrilling than leaping into the ocean and gathering fish. Preventing sharks is much less annoying than the sushi enterprise, okay? AH
Ocean – Abzû
Abzû might be essentially the most lovely recreation on this record. It is also essentially the most chill. In case you do not wish to swim away from sharks or fish, then Abzu is totally the sport for you — notably if you happen to take pleasure in discovering issues. Although it is impressed by the cosmic ocean and Sumerian delusion, Abzu’s ethereal world is extra welcoming than a few of these different legendary, magical oceans.
Similar to Journey — which lots of the builders at Large Squid labored on earlier than — Abzu is considerate, easy, and methodical. It is all about taking issues at your individual tempo. Plus, who would not with these sea-green waters, blossoming pink seaweed, and an array of attractive, vibrant fish? Is that this dishonest? Possibly. However Abzû’s underwater surprise is a sight to behold. AH
Labyrinth Zone – Sonic the Hedgehog
This makes my private picks as a result of, even with its many spikes, badniks, spiked badniks, and the existential dread that comes from that five-beat countdown to dying by drowning, it is simply so nice to have a look at.
The nice and cozy stone blocks, hanging vines, crystalline growths, and clear inexperienced waters of this zone make for a refreshing combo after Spring Yard. Throw in some cascading falls, a number of historic mechanisms, and a superbly bouncy loop from Masato Nakamura, and it is a pretty place to get misplaced. If you are going to die frantically transferring left and proper attempting to summon a bubble from a tiny crack, it might as effectively be someplace fairly. GL
Do you have got a favorite underwater degree? Are you itching to dive into Countless Ocean Luminous? Tell us within the feedback.
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