Underwater games...list and why are there so few?

[lendelin]

Everblue 2 is a great game, still, there are themes which are obviously neglected in videogames. Why are there so few underwater games?

The deep sea would be an ideal set-up for games. You literally dive into a different world, a mysterious one, most of it unexplored; lost civilizations, sea-monsters, creations of different worlds, and exploration of a vast world would open up ideal possibilities for all game genres.

We conqured space at least a thousand times in games, but underwater games give even more options to developers to draw you into a game.

Is it a simple programming issue? Are good controls difficult to achieve because you don't have simply ground under your feet?...but then, we have the same issues for space ships, and old and futuristic underwater boats, diving suits which give you great abilities to move underwater (upgradeable) are easily introduced.

Underwater levels are in so many games, but hardly one game is set up specifically underwater.

I would be interested in a list of underwater games, all systems, with comments if they are wothwhile playing. Are underwater games also neglected for the pre-NES eras?

I know of Ecco, of course, but also of Deep Fighter (DC) (good game), and the incredible Everblue 2 (PS2). I heard of Critical Depth (PS1) but don't know if it's a good one.

[Achika]

Treasures of the Deep (PS One) I've seen this many times, disc only so I've neglected to pick it up and haven't yet played it.
Jaws (NES) One of my favorites as a kid. People around me hated it, but I loved the movies and jumping into the water with jaws, upgrading your boat, racking up points, etc.
Ocean Hunter (arcade, Sega) I've played this a few times while waiting for a movie. It's fun, but really difficult and IIRC, a bit hard to maneuver. It's a quarter sucker, definately, but not in a good way. Definately worth giving a whirl.

Ecco for DC was a wonderful game...but then, so was the whole series.

I suppose in the 8 & 16 bit eras, many adventure games had the obligitory water level, along with "fire", "ice", "sky", and "ground/normal" levels. I don't think those exactly count here, though.

[norkusa]

Funny you posted this. I was just thinking about this topic the other day after seeing Everblue 2 in a used game store....

My all-time favorite underwater game is Treasures Of The Deep by Namco for the PSX . I've been saying for years that this is one of the most underrated games for the PSX, and it's still a blast to play. There are 20 different levels in the game and in each one you control a sub and search the ocean floor for shipwrecks, lost cities and lost treasure. There is even a level where a passenger jet has crashed and you have to collect the bodies of the dead. You can also upgrade subs and equip them with torpedos and other weapons to help you fiend off sharks and enemy scuba divers.The graphics and sound are great and it really gives you the feeling that you are underwater. Works with the dual analog joysick too!

If you guys haven't played this one yet, check it out. You won't regret it.

[robotriot]

There's the Amiga shmup X-Out and two PC games I remember right now - Archimedean Dynasty and Sub Culture. Oh, and there are of course tons of submarine simulations like Silent Service, which technically qualify as underwater games as well, don't they ;)

[atomicthumbs]

One of my favorite things about Tomb Raider II was the underwater levels. I remember thinking then that I would just love a game where there was more of that sort of thing.

By the way, how is Everblue?

[Arcturius]

Deep Fighter (3D Submarine DC)
In The Hunt (2D Submarine Saturn)

[atomicthumbs]

Playing Blitzball in FFX.
The Submarine thing in FFVII.

Both pretty fun!

[KJN]

Divers Dream by Konami (psx)

[PapaStu]

Submarine Rebellion (PS2)

I know a few more, but its late and the brain has stopped working...

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

As for why there aren't more, I have to think that the difficulty of getting the physics right is probably a bit part of it. Buoyancy vs. weight, water speed and depth and pressure and direction of motion, resistance...that's a lotta variables. And getting it to look right is a whole other, erm, kettle of fish.

[Kejoriv]

Aquaman for ngc and xbox. horrible game!

[Sotenga]

Hey, what about Fathom for the 2600? Only part of it takes place underwater, I know. Still, there aren't many underwater games, so this one will have to do. When you aren't a dolphin, you're a seagull. Pretty simple logic. :P

The second part of Jungle Hunt also takes place underwater. Friggin' crocs...

[Sylentwulf]

Primal has an underwater world, and kingdom hearts has an underwater world.

[PongHit]

Activision's SEAQUEST for the 2600.

-PongHit

[den68]

I've got one for PSX called Aquanauts Holiday. I only tried it once so I'm not exactly sure what it's all about.

[esquire]

Some of my favorite games have underwater levels, such as in Donkey Kong Country, Bonk's Adventure (actually in the stomach and digestive system of a dinosaur), and one of the Metal Slugs, I think Metal Slug 3. I would like to see more underwater games myself. I loved games like Treasures of the Deep, In the Hunt, Deep Fighter and Sub Culture.

Other underwater games include:

Shark! Shark! for the Intellivision
Polaris, Bermuda Triangle, Seaquest and Dolphin for the Atari 2600
Frogger II: Threeedeep! for the Atari 5200 and Colecovision
Aquanaut, Sea Fox and Sub Hunt for the C-64
Little Mermaid for the NES
The James Pond series and Seaquest DSV for the Genesis
Turbo Sub for the Atari Lynx
Sea Blade for the Xbox.
Finding Nemo for the Xbox, PS2 and Gamecube.

As for ideas, how about a game based upon the Submariner? Yes, I know Aquaman sucked, but the potential is still there. Also, a game based upon 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea would be great. Perhaps an action based RPG.

[Dangerboy]

Thank goodness someone mentioned Treasures of the Deep! **SWEET GAME**

Aquanauts Holiday asn't really a game, as much as it was a "just swim around and explore" type game.

You can also toss in TigerShark (PSX) to a degree...

[Arcade Antics]

Dolphin (2600)
Fishing Derby (2600)
Sub Scan(2600)

[furor]

Deep Blue (TG16) - Probably the sole reason there are so few underwater games.

[kevincure]

Everblue and the Ecco series are great, but how about the best "underwater" game ever - Seaman!