Dive into Endless Ocean: Blue World for Another Undersea Adventure on the Wii

Every now and then, a game comes along that offers a break from the streak of usual shooters, simulations and sports games, serving players a whole new gaming experience. Endless Ocean: Blue World, the sequel to the original title which was released in 2008, offers the unique chance to explore both the beauty and the mystery of the underwater world.

Featuring many improvements over the first title, including sharper graphics, more tasks and vast undersea areas to explore, the second game in the Endless Ocean series is based on adventure in a simulation of a different kind. In the game, players have the opportunity to sport scuba gear as either a male or female character for the L&L Diving Services to pursue the mysterious "Song of Dragons." Along the way, players can explore the ocean bottom, take in the rich scenery, and fend themselves from dangerous sea life.

Traveling to six distinct locations in search of treasure, the game's core elements are based on exploration and completing various tasks. While the player character is free to swim and roam the waters freely in areas, there are quests to be accomplished to allow for game progress, and level advancement. Although the game is quite peaceful and not based on combat or fighting, there are dangerous creatures to be avoided, while others will prove to friendly and helpful. There is no shooting in the traditional gaming sense, and like the first title, pictures of the aquatic landscape and wildlife can be shot with an underwater camera and saved to an SD card for later viewing.

There is a fairly solid story line to be followed in the game, however, much of the game can be enjoyed by freely roaming and completing side tasks at will. Action throughout the game occurs in both first person and third person perspective, and is controlled by simply using the Wii controller. Adding more challenge to the game, diving ability is newly improved by making use of an air capacity meter rather than allowing for limitless undersea swimming. This means the player must use strategy to time the expedition underwater, or be forced back up to the surface for air. Play can also be brought online for multiplayer diving that supports Wii Speak.

Endless Ocean: Blue World, published by Nintendo,offers fantastic scenery set to a new age soundtrack with casual no stress gameplay. The title is available for the Wii gaming system for an estimated retail price of $29.99, and is rated "E" for Everyone.