Dolphin Spirit: Ocean Mission

Games like this are the reason why despite the ongoing crumbling of the AAA(A?) industry I'm still willing to check the occasional game out on the sole basis of "it looking interesting". Such a sleeper gem this one is. An environmentalistic indie piece about a child rediscovering his/her (gender is choosable) heritage on an island filled with mysteries to uncover and troubled animals to aid. The gameplay is fairly simple. You walk around the open world, completing quests, gathering collectables (including the mountains of trash littered all over the island and it's surrounding coastal regions, not to mention the poisoned/trapped animals) and as you progress through the narrative you unlock new powers that can open new ways of interactions with the environment, also previously inaccessible areas. Doing all the aforementioned things gives you "notes" which are either "in-game lore" or "educational real life fun facts" about animals and the importance of looking after the environment. Strictly in terms of video games it's nothing revolutionary, but being revolutionary is absolutely unnecessary if your work is decent enough to offer an enjoyable experience. And I gotta tell you while it's fairly evident that this is an indie title (it's quite short, took only 4 hours to complete the story and reach 70%ish total completion) the heart and soul of creativity are all there. The soundtrack (wherever you actually hear it, as it's also somewhat brief like the entirety of this game) is magnificent, especially in the swimming sections where the player is accompanied by a dolphin who not only helps the player to traverse the environment whenever needed, but also helpfully points out missed collectables. The ambience of this game is absolutely lovely. Haven't felt anything quite like this since the Ecco (the Dolphin) days, perhaps in the Prologue and Thailand segments of Tomb Raider Underworld. It's been some time is what I'm trying to say and I love this game very much for allowing me to re-experience that same sense of wonder and peace once again. Mildly conflicted about the full price, I personally bought it at a -42% discount, but for that it was easily worth it. Now go get your own happy dolphin who waves goodbye with his flipper from the ocean at you whenever you're done for the day and about to go back home (yes that actually happens in the game). #happydolphinflippers

Recommandable SI et seulement si vous cherchez un jeu chill et éducatif pour un(e) enfant de 7-11 ans. Ici, la petite de 8 ans a aimé, les adultes ont apprécié, avant de s'agacer sur la fin, heureusement, c'est court. On peut le faire d'une traite en 3h,, ou traîner longtemps pour ramasser des déchets. Hé oui car Dolphin Spirit traite d'écologie : sur une île pour les vacances, notre personnage (garçon ou fille au choix) va bosser dur pour préserver l'écosystème ! Un des achievements implique le ramassage de 880 déchets. Au boulot ! → Prendre en photo et soigner les différentes espèces animales & végétales, nettoyer, réparer, sur terre et sous l'eau. Dans les deux cas, on a un compagnon (chien & dauphin). Les découvertes sont agrémentées de fiches instructives (sur la faune, mais aussi divers soucis écologiques). Le carnet de bord est réussi, bien meilleur que celui de Beyond blue, par exemple. On a un vrai petit codex ainsi que le détail très précis de chaque activité. La carte est appréciable, et toute l'interface s'avère globalement bien pensée. Décriée au clavier (c'est vrai que c'est n'importe quoi), de toutes façons c'est un jeu kid-friendly, donc on branche la manette. Ce qui sauve Dolphin Spirit, et le plombe en même temps, c'est sa dimension écolo sérieuse, dans une démarche très 1er degré. On retrouve ainsi le programme scolaire, et tout ce qu'on entend habituellement sur les problèmes de pollution marine. D'ailleurs, il n'y a pratiquement pas d'histoire, on est là pour s'occuper de l'île en mode réaliste, bien que les développeurs aient amené timidement un peu de magie ancestrale. Une direction artistique passable, qui ne vaut pas celle d'Alba (beaucoup plus charmante, surtout le travail des lumières), aucun doublage, et des dialogues génériques plats en font un jeu surtaxé, même sur site tiers à moitié prix. Il mérite 5-7€ maximum, mais permet d'occuper sainement un(e) enfant quelques heures. -- dans le même genre : https://store.steampowered.com/app/1337010/Alba_A_Wildlife_Adventure/

Criticisms first: A tad cluncky, especially when playing with a keyboard. May be better on a Nintendo switch since it's designed to be played with a controller? The map of the island feels kinda small but that makes sense since you're meant to spend most of your time under water. I also found the "dark" underwater areas difficult to navigate but that's one of the last things you have to do in the story before free play so it's not that bad. I do recommend waiting until this game is on sale given the quality of the mechanics and the amount of story you get. Other than that stuff, the settings look really pretty and there is some decent environmental messaging even if it is kinda surface level info. My biggest recommendation is to avoid side quests, trash and taking pics of animals until you're done with the story mode so you have stuff to do during free play.

Cute, satisfying, environmental edutainment

This is a little hidden gem of a cosy game. It really reminds me of Alba: Wildlife Adventure but much longer gameplay, and we save the island from weather and things that affect the ocean life, wherea on the Alba, you save the nature reserve from the big corportion! If you love Alba: Wildlife Adventure and are looking to scratch the itch of Alba, then this is the game for you! I really enjoy photographing and collecting things, and leaving no stone unturned, search every nook and crannies, there are a lot of collectible activity in the game, and you get to meet cute animals and learn about the marine life, and you get to scuba dive down the ocean! I want to give ya all a head up - on the main menu, the game said the game is best played with controller, which is great for me cus I'm avid controller player, but for those with keyboard and mouse, this game may not be for you. I recommend this game to: Cosy gamers, collectathon gamers, photographing gamers, and gamers that are interested in marine/ocean life.

Du besuchst deinen Opa auf der Insel Maupiroa und wirst Teil einer Vereinigung die sich um den Schutz des Meeres und seiner Bewohnern kümmert. Man entdeckt im Laufe der Zeit die ganze Insel und 4 Unterwasserwelten, fotografiert und redet mit den anderen Mitgliedern der Vereinigung. Als Begleiter zu Land gibt es einen süßen Hund und zu Wasser einen Delfin. Geheime Kräfte werden durch uns zum Leben erwacht und wir sammeln Müll, retten Tiere aus Netzen, von Gift, Ölverschmutzung usw.. Viele interessante Tiere gibt es überall zu entdecken und neben der Hauptgeschichte können auch ganz viele Nebenaufgaben gelöst werden. Also ein rund-rum gelungenes Spiel was einen lehrt mehr darauf zu achten weniger Müll an Stränden oder auch im Meer zu lassen. Außerdem erweitern die, im Laufe des Spiels, gefunden/freigeschalteten Wissensseiten, unsere Kenntnis über die Meere und deren Rettung. Super Message. :)

If you're looking for a fun, relaxing game - mostly a collectathon (except you're collecting garbage mostly) especially if you like diving games - then you can buy this in confidence - however I'd recommend on sale. Pros It's fun It's relaxing Didn't find a single bug Pleasant art style Ran well Satisfying - if simple - gameplay loop - There's something satisfying about cleaning and seeing animals return Basically, it does everything it should well enough Cons Short game (but doesn't outstay it's welcome so that's okay) Repetitive transition scenes (skippable) Linear fetch-quest game play - do this, do that, return, repeat - and metroidvania-like - you get new abilities that enable you to access previously inaccessible areas Re: Endless Oceans - Comparisons to EO on Wii are what sold me on this, but I feel they are overstated (people probably haven't played EO since the 15 years ago when it came out). Maybe a really short, simplified, kidified version of EO. But as of this writing, a new EO will be out on Switch in just a few days, so if you want EO - buy the new one on Switch not this. If you don't own a Switch (or a Wii or Wii emulator) and really want an EO on PC. This will lightly scratch that itch. But overall - if you like exploration/collection/relaxing/diving games - This one doesn't disappoint. Buy.

A very nice little game that not a lot of people know! For the Price, i'd say It's worth it. A superb cosy vibes, and chill game. I dare say better than the luminous ocean on Nintendo... If you want a cute and educative little game, go for it! It's a bit on the short side, but I was really enjoying myself! I think it's great for kids, but also adult, like me, who wants to relax and help clean the ocean and help animals!

Un jeu tout pipou et détente qui met en avant l'environnement avec une petite histoire magique ;) Dans le même genre vous avez alba aussi qui est fort sympathique. Il n'est pas très long mais très agréable à jouer.

Fun, stress free, and easy time killing game.