An Underwater World Inspired By Arabian Mythology
It’s amazing to me that, of all the oceans on Earth, only 10 per cent has been mapped. Which has begged the age-old question: what is down there? Some people, of course, go straight to aliens, believing they have been using it as their home base for years. Others say huge monsters like Godzilla are sleeping there, waiting to reclaim the Earth. Others believe there are entire civilisations beneath the waves, thriving and working together.
Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree is about a world beneath the sea, inspired by Arabian myths. It’s time to dive under the waves and find out what’s really going on.
A Tale Under The Waves
There is something very relaxing about playing games underwater. I remember playing the early Tomb Raider games and finding the swimming sections so peaceful – apart from running out of breath and dying horribly. Luckily, with Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree, there is very little combat, just exploration and puzzle-solving.
This 2D adventure is inspired by Middle Eastern mythology, and it starts on a tree with a fruit seed hanging from one of its branches. You press a button and emerge straight into the waters of the Ma’een. You are a creature of the ocean, and soon discover a village of like-minded beings and elders. You are tasked with collecting items to help cleanse the ocean and the world of darkness.
Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree has a great storybook feel to it, thanks to its mythological world-building and writing. You meet a range of characters and engage in dialogue, but it’s the visual storytelling that is strongest as you explore the hidden depths and uncover secrets along the way. I liked this world, and I found myself wanting to explore more of its narrative and delve a little deeper than the game ultimately allowed. There are hidden scrolls throughout the levels that reveal more of the world’s history, although I still wanted a little more. Overall, though, it was great to experience a narrative inspired by a different and unique culture.
Swimming, Exploration And Gentle Puzzle-Solving
From a gameplay perspective, things start nice and simple as you swim through the 2D underwater world, searching for ways to progress. As you continue, you unlock new abilities to aid your journey. The first is a boost that gives your swimming a burst of speed, useful for escaping enemies and passing through barriers. Later, you discover a relic in the form of a speckled feather that grants you the power of light, allowing you to repel darkness and bring light back to the murky depths.
A Relaxed Adventure With Light Survival Elements
Combat is very light and isn’t really violent. In certain sections of the game, you are pursued by dark orbs of evil as you explore deeper into the sea. You can either boost away from them or repel them with a blast of light, although that power only lasts for a limited time. Thankfully, checkpoints are very generous, adding to the relaxed nature of the overall experience.
Puzzle-solving comes in the form of unlocking certain doorways or entrances that require light. Sometimes you need to collect a number of light orbs around a level before you can open the exit. Other puzzles require you to draw an object on the screen by swimming in the correct pattern. All of this works well, although at times the swimming mechanics haven’t been quite as fluid as I would have liked, particularly in tighter spaces. There were also moments where I felt a little lost about where to go next, even though the game tries to guide you with glowing plants and other visual cues.
A Beautiful Journey Beneath The Waves
Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree is a delight to swim through, with a vibrant underwater world full of colour. There are highlights in every area, particularly when the movement of the water is captured so beautifully or when one of the giant mythical creatures drifts through the background.
The village sections are a little more basic in their design, but the game as a whole creates a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere, like sinking into a warm bath after a hard day’s work. The soundtrack perfectly complements the adventure with its Arabian-inspired themes, while the use of silence in the more corrupted areas is equally effective.
A Relaxing Dive Worth Taking
Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree is super relaxing to play. It is fascinating, taking in various myths and stories that were completely new to me and experiencing folklore from a different culture and part of the world. However, the gameplay loop did begin to feel a little repetitive after a few hours, and I could have done with a bit more variety beyond the additional abilities you unlock.
But mostly, I would recommend Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree, especially to those who fancy a relaxing trip beneath the waves.
Important Links
BAHAMUT AND THE WAQWAQ TREE Brings Arabian Mythology To Xbox And PlayStation – https://www.thexboxhub.com/bahamut-and-the-waqwaq-tree-brings-arabian-mythology-to-xbox-and-playstation/
Buy from the Xbox Store – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/bahamut-and-the-waqwaq-tree/9NM07FBT4XP7/0010
