Endless Ocean - cas-core gaming to the max
Friday, September 28th, 2007 at 9:08am by David
I’m a cas-core (casual core) gamer. I pick up games and play them for less than an hour at a time. Some of my favorite games are best played with a friend. Puzzles? Awesome. Story lines? Who needs ‘em. So when I read a press release about Nintendo’s upcoming 2008* title, Endless Ocean, my cas-core excitement meter went through the roof.
Have you ever wanted to explore the bottom of the ocean or learn more about aquatic life? Now you can from the comfort of your living room with Endless Ocean on Wii! The beauty of Endless Ocean is that players can do as much or as little as they like.
The bright red needle on my cas-core meter just hit the top. I’m able to play this game or not. The game doesn’t care if I just want to swim around in one little area. The timer isn’t going to start counting down. The arrows won’t start flashing, telling me to continue to the right.
For players really looking to kick back and relax Endless Ocean features several soothing modes. On the deck of the boat is a deckchair that allows the player to sit and watch the sea.
So, it’s a game that I don’t even have to play to enjoy? The little red needle just started to bend and twitch a little.
If players prefer to dive with a buddy, the Wii’s unique WiFi Connection Service allows players link up with their friends. By exchanging friend codes, two players may dive and explore the ocean together.
Now you’re telling me I can do all of this, but with a friend via Nintendo Wi-Fi? The little red needle is taking massive damage.
With the ability to listen to your own MP3’s via the Wii SD Card slot while you dive, Endless Ocean provides hours of entertainment.
Oh man … I’m gonna need a new cas-core meter. A game that I can play as little or as much as I care to, or not at all, with or without a buddy, and with my choice of music. Sold!
Is anyone else here a cas-core gamer? Does Endless Ocean appeal to you?
*Out on November 9th in the EU/UK, already out in Japan since August
September 28th, 2007 at 9:11 am
The idea of the game appeals to me, but then I remember the time I spent $35 on Electroplankton, played it for maybe 60 minutes total, and never touched it again.
This is a rental for me, at best.
September 28th, 2007 at 10:03 am
This seems interesting, but it’s a love-or-hate kind of game, and I think I may rent it, and then wait until I see it used before I pick up a copy.
September 28th, 2007 at 10:19 am
I agree with the electroplankton comment. I was so excited for electroplankton, and played it about 4 times. My 4 year old son likes it a lot more. Endless Ocean seems a little bit cooler, but I definitely see the fun wearing off after awhile.
September 28th, 2007 at 10:19 am
I’m getting it, one of the reasons being that my Wife is going to love it.Sounds like a great way to relax on the coming cold winter nights.
September 28th, 2007 at 10:31 am
I love games like this. I rarely play them for long periods of time, but I always come back to them often enough that they end up being very much worth the money.
September 28th, 2007 at 10:41 am
I’ve been watching this one for quite a while. It sounds like what my friends I call a “Zen” game, where the focus of the entertainment value is pure escapism and detachment. I’m relieved to know it’ll be hitting the rest of the world now (I was worried there for a moment, especially after they had to do that patch release version in Japan), and I’ll definitely be picking it up. Marine biology has been a small hobby of mine for a long time (especially sharks….), and I have a soft spot for “un-games”.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
I’m somewhere in the middle. I’ll hoard vacation hours at work just for the specific purpose of using them for big game releases, but I also enjoy Brain Age, Elite Beat Agents, etc.
This will be a must-buy game for me. All summer long, I’ve been playing games that raise my blood pressure.. Trauma Center, Resident Evil 4, Metroid Prime 3. And this trend seems likely to continue into the Autumn, with Mario, Manhunt, and Smash ready to make my hands sweat.
So I’ll appreciate a nice, calming game when it gets cold outside. Something to slow my pulse and let me relax. The reviews for this game have been very encouraging, so I’ll get it on Day One.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
This has been on my radar since it was first announced. I am pissed that it was delayed for no good reason. One particular screenshot, showing what looked like ancient temple ruins at the bottom of the ocean, really intrigued me. Atlantis? R’lyeh?
I guess Nintendo need to pad their winter ‘08 lineup, but I will buy this one whenever it comes out!
September 28th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
I´m not cas-core(nice term invention lol) i consider myself pretty much a dedicated gamer, and this game appeals to me a lot, i think this is aimed to everyone, not only casuals by the way, so i´m very disapointed at the delay.
I´ll get it on day one anyway:)
September 28th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
I had my sights on this one since it was announced, too! Being able to listen to your own MP3s while playing is a BIG selling point for me, so I’m almost there…
But, as we were commenting on the previous post, my gaming budget has been depleted for this year already! So, I might be able to pick this one up when it hits the $20 or even $30 price point… In the mean time, I still have plenty of other games to complete!
September 28th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
stories aren’t a priority in games for you? that makes me sad
i would consider myself cas-core as well, but this game just doesn’t really appeal to me. until nintendo incorporates voice chat into their wi-fi, i can’t really see myself getting excited about diving without being able to communicate (lame one-liners don’t count *cough* SSBB *cough*)
September 28th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
This game needs voice chat.
September 28th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
You can’t talk when you are scuba diving.
September 28th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
^^^
Exactly!
I think it would so much better if there was a system to communicate by signs, that would be realistic.
Voice chat? I don´t really need that.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
@Jared - I honestly do enjoy a good storyline in a game .. I’m just saying it isn’t always needed for a pick-up-and-play game.
As for no voice chat .. um, Skype?
September 28th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
^ thanks for the clarification. and at the people who comment on “not being able to talk during scuba diving”
at you. it’d make the game sooo much better, and in the case you didn’t want to use it, don’t plug in the mic 
@ skype, you’re telling me to sit next to my computer running skype while i scuba dive?…how about just including voice chat…they already did in pokemon, which actually added a lot to the game imo
September 28th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
THIS is the game i am most interested in.
September 28th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Few video games have created an internal confilict like the Endless Ocean previews have. Is exploring the sea bottom and cataloging sea creatures lame? Or will it be beautiful and relaxing? I just can’t make up my mind.
It’s definitely worth trying at least once, but cost will be a major factor determining whether I get it or not. For $30 CAD it would be a purchase… for $50, not so much.
I think this is one game that would benefit from the increased horsepower of the PS3 or 360. Without a lot else going on, the graphics will be a huge part of this game.
September 28th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Oh, and I would LOVE to see (hear?) chat support in this game. True, talking might break any sense of undersea realism… but chat would make it much easier to just “hang out” with friends while playing online.
For me, that one extra feature would move the game into a definite purchase.
September 28th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
This would be nice to smooth out to with some ambient music… but…
an Ecco The Dolphin game for Wii might have been more appealing.
September 28th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
This game will probably be a little toolaid back for my taste, but I still like the concept of it. Great article!
September 28th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
I am definiately getting this one. Like many commenters before, it has been on my radar for a while. Then with the Japanese recall on the game, I was wondering if the game may see the light of day in the US. Now that the bug has been fixed, I am eagerly awaiting the US launch. The game has a lot of relaxing music just like in the Japanese commercials. And with the SD Card custom soundtrack, I am sold.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=iVdf-_f2onw
…just imagine playing this in 480p…
September 29th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Sounds intriguing, I’ve never heard of this game before!
Don’t know if it’d be worth the full price of a standard game but if it’s a bit cheaper then I may pick it up.
Best tracks to put on whilst playing? Just imagine swimming around in the ocean with Dark Side Of The Moon on.
September 30th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Yeah, this game looks very cool.
I will rent it for sure.
Maybe buy it used at some point when all these big games on all my systems start to run dry, so like in 4 months or so.
I think this game will be very relaxing, and fun.