ABZU

Screenshots & trailers

What players say

Why the number is what it is: aspect mentions counted across 299 sampled Steam reviews (283 positive / 16 negative), recent and most-helpful. Plain keyword counting, fully reproducible; nothing here is written by a machine.

What positive reviews talk about

Visuals & art23% mention it
Music & audio19% mention it
Story & writing17% mention it
World & exploration12% mention it
Controls & UI8% mention it

What negative reviews complain about

Story & writing38% mention it
Visuals & art31% mention it
Music & audio31% mention it
Controls & UI31% mention it

Satisfaction by hours played

Same score, different games: see how sentiment holds up the longer people play.

Under 5h

94%

241 reviews

5-15h

98%

52 reviews

Review sentiment over time

Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.

How this score was computed

The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.

Component	Positive	Quality (0-100)	Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)	–	80	30
Creator reviews (3 tracked)	–	84	1
All-time Steam reviews	93%	87	1000
Metacritic user ratings	–	77	44
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)	96%	90	35
Calibration prior (typical game)	–	72	50

Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 99 reviews sampled · 94 total reviews in window · weighted 35 up / 1.6 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (149)

Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.

75
The Jimquisition
trust 84CreatorAug 18, 2016
“ABZÛ is a lesser game than Journey, but since I consider Journey to be one of the more sublime pieces of interactive entertainment I've enjoyed, that's hardly a damning indictment. While it struggles to be truly resonant, Giant Squid's aquatic adventure is nonetheless enjoyable, alluring, and ultimately pleasant.”
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40
Slant Magazine
trust 77Aug 2, 2016
“The game fails to satisfy the natural urge to explore a three-dimensional realm of seemingly endless possibilities.”
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60
Jump Dash Roll
trust 76May 14, 2018
“Abzû owes too much of a debt to what has come before it, and annoyances with camera and graphical issues remove much of the satisfaction from what was meant to be, on paper at least, a relaxing voyage into a mysterious sunken world.”
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90
Nintendo Life
trust 76Nov 29, 2018
“Abzû is certainly a standout release on the eShop, offering up an experience that breaks from the norm of goal-based gaming in favour of something that's more focused on simply existing in a world and enjoying all its little intricacies. Those of you who appreciate casual adventures like taking a walk in a forest will be sure to enjoy what Abzû has to offer, as the dreamlike visuals, entrancing orchestral score and deliberately sedate pace do a fantastic job of drawing the player into this alien world. We'd give Abzû a high recommendation to anybody looking for something a little more gentle for their Switch; it's not a game about winning, but about the journey (no pun intended) you take getting there.”
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80
Hu3br
trust 75Aug 12, 2016
“ABZÛ its a chilling and remarkable experience from beginning to end.”
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90
Paste Magazine
trust 74Aug 17, 2016
“It's your last impression of the game and it sticks with you, reflecting back on what you've seen. It's the case, though, that the vast majority of Abzû is so beautiful, so well put together, that the fact the ending is a little disappointing doesn't diminish my view of it as whole. When I think back on the game it's not the final image I remember but the turquoise shallows, the pattern of the sun falling on the sand, the great vaulted ceilings of blue water.”
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75
LaPS4
trust 72Aug 3, 2016
“ABZÛ is neither as lengthy nor as trascendental as Journey. However, Matt Nava and his new team made audiovisual magic once again, a precious journey among thousands of fishes, seaweed and danger. The unfolding of a forgotten legend will cost you 20 bucks. ”
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80
Total Gaming Network
trust 71Aug 7, 2016
“Abzu is a game that is better experienced than explained. Featuring gorgeous visuals and a story that leaves the door open enough for your own personal interpretations. The only real drawback to the game is that it may be a bit too short for those overly concerned about cost per hour.”
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80
Nindie Spotlight
trust 70Dec 1, 2018
“Even as the credits rolled for Abzu I still couldn’t hope to tell you what it all means. It’s an experience that’s full of wonder, some breathtaking moments, and managed to make me feel a bit more connected with nature. What you may come away with may differ but I’d be a bit shocked if anyone could play it without it hitting them somewhere emotionally. The beauty of it all, the wonderfully fitting musical score, and small moments of the unexpected make Abzu a pretty special experience even if I may question whether it’s necessarily a game. In the end I don’t know that I much care, it’s something that will still stick with me for some time.”
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80
Cubed3
trust 70Dec 17, 2016
“For anyone who has ever had an interest in marine life then ABZÛ is a required play. It's a stunning interactive aquarium with plenty of flair. The absence of restrictions allows for players to immerse themselves entirely in all of the undersea happenings. Every scene is an event to be cherished, and even the most minimal of interactions are memorable. There are a few moments that are so powerful that text or even a video could never hope to do them justice. If the concept sounds appealing, then don't hesitate to pick this game up immediately.”
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80
Zoomg
trust 69Dec 12, 2016
“ABZU is a mixture of art, myth and indie game and has the ability to take the gamer on a journey under the water. You find different kind of species and it is a relaxing experience. If you want to have a relaxing journey under water for a few hours, ABZU is for you.”
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90
Push Square
trust 69Aug 2, 2016
“ABZÛ is a triumph of exploration and atmosphere. Its gorgeous underwater playgrounds are a joy to explore thanks to its perfectly tuned controls, awe-inspiring visuals, and beautiful sound design. A somewhat predictable story does little to hamper what is otherwise an utterly unique and rapturous experience.”
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