What are the pros of ABZU?

Breathtaking art direction and vibrant underwater environments.. Exceptional and immersive orchestral soundtrack.. Highly relaxing and contemplative experience ideal for unwinding.. Emotional and wordless storytelling that exceeds expectations.. Diverse and beautifully rendered marine life and sea environments..

What are the cons of ABZU?

Very short playtime of approximately two hours makes the price point controversial.. Significant motion sickness and nausea caused by camera bobbing.. Lack of essential in-game settings for volume, sensitivity, and accessibility.. Gameplay can feel overly simplistic or lackluster for those seeking more interaction.. Visual triggers such as flashing lights and bright effects can cause headaches..

ABZU

From the art director of Journey®, ABZÛ is a beautiful underwater adventure that evokes the dream of diving. Immerse yourself in a vibrant hidden world bursting with color and life as you descend into the heart of the ocean. But beware as you swim deeper as dangers lurk in the depths.

93%

Very Positive

DeveloperGiant Squid

Publisher505 Games

Release DateAug 2, 2016

$19.99

Peak Players1.3K

Metacritic83

Controllerfull

PlatformsWindows

AI Review Summary

ABZU is a visually spectacular and meditative underwater exploration game that emphasizes atmosphere and emotional resonance over traditional gameplay mechanics. While it is widely praised for its breathtaking art direction and orchestral score, some players find its short duration difficult to justify at full price and report issues with motion sickness.

Pros

Breathtaking art direction and vibrant underwater environments.95%
Exceptional and immersive orchestral soundtrack.90%
Highly relaxing and contemplative experience ideal for unwinding.85%
Emotional and wordless storytelling that exceeds expectations.70%
Diverse and beautifully rendered marine life and sea environments.60%

Cons

Very short playtime of approximately two hours makes the price point controversial.80%
Significant motion sickness and nausea caused by camera bobbing.60%
Lack of essential in-game settings for volume, sensitivity, and accessibility.50%
Gameplay can feel overly simplistic or lackluster for those seeking more interaction.50%
Visual triggers such as flashing lights and bright effects can cause headaches.40%

Notable Mentions

Shares creative DNA and gameplay patterns with the game Journey.
Can be fully completed in a single sitting.
Recommended by several reviewers to be purchased during a sale.

Confidence: 55%

Based on the 102 most relevant reviewsGenerated on Aug 30, 2026

Game Vitals

Live snapshot

Player Activity

Current peak

Peak · last 90 days

All-time peak

1.3K

Price

Current price

$19.99

Lowest tracked

$4.99since Jan 13, 2026

Review Sentiment

Launch week

—

Last 30 days

90%

All-time positive

93%

Review Statistics

Total Reviews27.6K

Positive: 25.7K (93%)Negative: 2.0K (7%)

Reviews from Steam Deck

Dev Response Rate

Avg Playtime at Review

95%

Credible Reviews