Endless Ocean Luminous

Endless Ocean Luminous^[a] is an 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.

Endless Ocean Luminous
Cover art
Developer(s)	Arika
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Director(s)	Akito Kitamura
Producer(s)	Shinji Watanabe Akira Kinashi Shinya Saito
Programmer(s)	Hitoshi Hirashima
Artist(s)	Jun Hosoba
Composer(s)	Shinji Hosoe Ayako Saso Takahiro Eguchi
Platform(s)	Nintendo Switch
Release	May 2, 2024
Genre(s)	Adventure, simulation
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

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 information: Endless Ocean and 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.^[1][2] The game itself has over 500 species to learn about, including creatures that are deemed mythical or extinct such as the Mosasaurus.^[3] Outside of marine life, the player can also explore underwater structures such as temples and shipwrecks.^[4] Luminous features a new mechanic for the series in which the region will change with each dive the player goes on.^[5]

Unlike the multiplayer modes in previous installments, the game allows groups of up to 30 online players to embark on dives together.^[1][6] Players in groups can share their findings and communicate between one another via emotes.^[7]

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.^[6][8] 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.^[9][10] Music and sound effects were created by the music production company SuperSweep, including Shinji Hosoe, Ayako Saso, and Takahiro Eguchi.^[11]

Reception

Aggregate score

Aggregator	Score
Metacritic	61/100[b][12]

Review scores

Publication	Score
Digital Trends	2.5/5[13]
Famitsu	32/40[14]
GameSpot	3/10[15]
HobbyConsolas	80/100[16]
IGN	4/10[17]
Jeuxvideo.com	11/20[18]
Nintendo Life	5/10[19]
PC Games (DE)	5/10[20]
PCMag	3/5[21]
Shacknews	7/10[22]
TechRadar	4/5[23]
The Games Machine (Italy)	6.5/10[24]
Video Games Chronicle	3/5[25]

Reception

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."^[26]

Notes

1. Japanese: フォーエバーブルー ルミナス, Hepburn: Fōebāburū ruminasu, lit. "Forever Blue Luminous"
2. Based on 63 reviews