Beyond Blue received mixed-to-average reviews, with critics most often praising its tranquil ocean environments and educational documentary material while questioning the limited variety of its swimming-and-scanning gameplay. It is best approached as a calm, science-minded exploration adventure—not as a mechanically deep action game.
What critics say about Beyond Blue
Metacritic’s pages accessed in 2026 show a 72 Metascore from 20 critic reviews overall, with a 72 on PC and a 75 on PlayStation 4. These are platform-specific snapshots, not fixed or timeless judgments; review totals and scores can change as pages are updated. Metacritic’s Beyond Blue reviews and its PC critic-review page show the figures.
The recurring split is between atmosphere and mechanics. Reviews praise the tranquil imagery, the sense of immersion, and the educational intent. Reservations center on the straightforward swimming-and-scanning loop, which some reviewers find repetitive or too slight for players seeking more challenge and variety. That is a pattern across the cited reviews, not a claim that every critic agrees.
What kind of game is Beyond Blue?
E-Line Media describes Beyond Blue as a single-player narrative adventure set in the near future, following deep-sea explorer and scientist Mirai. Players explore ocean environments and interact with marine life using in-game technologies. Its documentary material and contemplative presentation are central to the experience, rather than extras attached to a complex action system. E-Line Media’s game page provides the developer’s description.
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#1 Best Overall
- 1-4 players
- Ages 14+
- Playing time: 90+ minutes
- This is not a A standalone Game. An underwater cities base Game is required to play this expansion.
- Number Of Players: 1 To 4
Exploration, story, and learning
The developer’s press kit lists 16 Ocean Insights mini-documentaries featuring original footage and interviews with ocean experts, along with a photo mode. E-Line says it partnered with BBC Studios, OceanX Media, game makers, and ocean-science experts. These are the developer’s descriptions of the game and its production. The official press kit has the feature details.
A review excerpt on the Epic Games Store listing illustrates the game’s appeal to players looking for a quiet, character-led experience. Destructoid’s Jordan Devore gave it 7/10 and described a contemplative journey with space to unwind among the waves. That response is one reviewer’s view, not a substitute for the broader range of criticism. The Epic Games Store listing carries the review excerpt.
Rank #2
Is Beyond Blue worth playing?
It is a good fit if you want relaxed underwater exploration, marine-life encounters, and science-minded storytelling. The combination of ocean environments and documentary content gives the game a distinct educational and atmospheric focus.
It is a weaker fit if you expect elaborate systems, varied challenges, or action-driven progression. The same simple play structure that supports a meditative pace can become repetitive, and critics’ comments about the experience feeling shallow are worth weighing if gameplay depth is your priority.
Rank #3
- Excellent Underwater Photography; DORY can dive up to 49ft and has an HD camera for real-time observation and shooting photos and videos; DORY's 1080p f/1;6 camera combined with two 250-lumen headlights opens up a whole new world of exploration; With DORY'S built in true color restoration algorithm, photos and videos show true dynamic color in all conditions
- Portable for Travel; As the world's smallest, smartest and most affordable underwater drone, palm sized DORY is just 9;7 x 7;4 x 3;6", weighs less than 2;5 lb; It has a 4800 mAh battery life of approximately 1 hour; Travelers can take it into a backpack and easily transport it wherever they want to use it
- Explore the Sea Like a game; DORY is really easy to use; Plug, plunge and play; With the CHASING GO2 app, your phone can remotely control the underwater drone to dive, forward and backward, move up and down, tilt up and down and lock the depth like a gamepad; Exploring the ocean floor is as easy and fun as a game
- Share the fun; With Dory's dual play mode, you can operate the underwater drone with camera together with your close friend or family; What's more, with CHASING GO2 app, it's quick and easy to share live-streaming and underwater videos on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, or your favorite social sharing platform; Shine at your next pool party or snorkeling adventures
- Freedom to explore deep sea; DORY connects to a small floating Wi Fi Buoy with a 49' tether and streams live 720p video from beneath the surface to your device and to social media if you like; Whether you're diving, fishing, taking underwater photography, or yachting, the Chasing DORY is your best choice
For a concise example of the positive response, Devore’s Epic Games Store review calls the journey contemplative and recommends it. By contrast, excerpts surfaced from PC reviews praise the calm and realistic presentation while noting that the experience does not go far beneath the surface. Consider those comments as individual critical perspectives rather than a universal verdict.
How player ratings compare with critic scores
Player ratings tell a separate story from critic reviews and should not be combined into one score. Metacritic’s page accessed in 2026 lists a 6.9 user score from 46 ratings. The US PlayStation Store listing showed 4.36 out of 5 from 925 ratings in its captured result, also accessed in 2026. Those ratings come from different platforms and rating systems, so they are not directly comparable. Metacritic and the US PlayStation Store listing display the respective figures.
Rank #4
- MARINE BIOLOGY GAME - Learn about underwater creatures and their habitats in this nature card game! Players use aquatic animals such as sea turtles, sharks, and clownfish in a grid formation in this ecosystem building game; Earn points by aligning ocean life with the habitats and food sources where they most flourish
- GREAT BARRIER REEF - Based on the animals found in the real Great Barrier Reef, players pick and pass eleven different card types, arranging them in a grid to form their unique ecosystem; Cards are categorized as predators, prey, and producers; Diversify your food web to maximize bonus points
- GENIUS GAMES - Ecosystem: Coral Reef is the sequel to our top rated family board game, Ecosystem; Our science games for kids combine gameplay that’s both accessible to children and strategic for adults; Whether it’s for the classroom or family game night, our catalog of educational board games is perfect for encouraging critical thinking skills and learning while having fun!
- LEARN SCIENCE - In this nature board game, oceanic life aid one another in cycles that are true to our world’s ecological habitats; It intuitively teaches players about the necessary balance of natural order via the food web system; players want a healthy mix of predators, prey, and producers in their ecosystem to score the most points
Platforms and release dates
E-Line Media’s press kit lists these release dates by platform. Check the relevant storefront for current availability and price in your region.
| Platform | Release date listed by E-Line Media |
|---|---|
| Apple Arcade | April 17, 2020 |
| PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 | June 11, 2020 |
| Nintendo Switch | November 11, 2021 |
Dates are from E-Line Media’s press kit; they do not establish present-day storefront availability.
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