While scuba diving in search of a baby clown fish, I hitched a ride on the back of friendly dolphin (bribed with food) to the other side of a coral reef and discovered a violent hammerhead shark thrashing about. The shark set its sights on me and charged, but I was quick on the draw with an electromagnetic pulse gun and was able to pacify the shark, which then sailed away. I dove deeper and discovered some gold coins along the floor of the lagoon, then -- tucked away in some anemone -- a baby clown fish and parent emerged!

Such experiences are normal in Endless Ocean: Blue World, a game that is all about exploring vast underwater areas and interacting with hundreds of sea creatures modeled on real marine life. The player assumes the role of a (male or female) university student helping out the L&L Diving Service in their investigation of an ancient artifact and its ties to a mysterious "Song of Dragons." The story is rather boilerplate, but provides ample excuses to start exploring, starting with basic lessons with moving and interacting underwater and later giving the player independent objectives and quests, some paired with riddles to solve and others requiring finding certain hidden objects or creatures.

The main character of the game is the ocean, though, and players will spend hours learning its many moods and appearances. Every species of wildlife encountered is recorded in an encyclopedia for easy review. The in-game encyclopedia includes facts about animals' size, diet, and behavior, making it a passable educational tool. As areas become unlocked and fully mapped, new diving tools and outfits become available, as well as a pet dolphin that can be taught tricks and a custom reef.

The graphics and music are relaxing no matter where the player dives: the South Pacific, Arctic Circle, Amazon River, Weddell Sea, and Red Sea are all represented, and each bustles with the life of its respective ecosystem. Players can take photos in-game and save them to an SD card to show others, or dive with a friend online and explore marine life together. Creatures move fairly realistically, and the environments are as gorgeous as they are huge. The soundtrack is mostly calm new age music, including some songs sung by Hayley Westenra. In the event of danger, players can pacify violent creatures with a fictional "Pulsar" gun that tranquilizes and heals. At worst, the player can be knocked around and must go up for air, but will never be torn limb from limb.

If you're interested in marine life or want to play a game that rewards exploration and curiosity, then you would do well to suit up in Endless Ocean.