Pilot a ROV and explore the oceans!
Map unknown regions, sample hydrothermal vents, and study new species,
all of this, defying the darkness and the crushing pressure of the abysses.
(Steam Store)
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Three famous and important oceanographic research institutions partnering with a video game? Have we already arrived in the utopian future that I’ve long supported as a personal war, hoping to seriously bring education and scientific culture into the world of video games? We’re almost there...
subROV : Underwater Discoveries is a simulator that lets you learn how to operate a small ROUV (Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle) capable of exploring the underwater world. Starting from the assumption that the game is currently in a very early stage of development, we attempt to provide a comprehensive overview of what it offers at this point.
Story and Gameplay
Currently there is no true progressive story, but the narrative flow is organised through a sequence of tasks / missions that will allow us to explore marine depths with their respective peculiarities depending on the different sampling zones. A series of available and selectable tasks will therefore appear in the main menu, displayed on a world map and proposed by each of the three research institutions. These missions are primarily characterised by the need to explore the seabed at varying depths, searching for specific "hotspots", such as underwater volcanic activity zones, wrecks, unusual life forms or possible skeletons.
At first launch, we are greeted by a series of very comprehensive tutorial s that aim fundamentally to teach us the game mechanics, but above all to learn how to properly operate the ROUV control panel. This experience is very realistic and allows us to "immerse" ourselves both mentally and physically in the work performed by the operator managing this expensive equipment. We can also note that the gameplay flow seems excessively guided and somewhat limited, almost as if the player is not supposed to "make mistakes" when using the device. And if mistakes are the best way to learn, this approach certainly did not seem to us the best.
The game screen is characterised by a division into quadrants. At the centre we have the main, larger camera, to the right the small robot camera, and to the left the map of the explored territory, which we feel is far too simplified. In the lower portion is the ROUV control panel with all the necessary controls for managing the machinery as well as the auxiliary equipment, such as the crane for lifting the oceanographic vessel "Comatel Explorer".
We arrive therefore to discuss the exploration phases with the rover. We have not encountered major issues related to the movement or operation of the equipment, but we found ourselves facing an endless, empty backdrop. Having personally gained considerable experience and knowledge of the underwater environment (I’m a marine biologist speaking here, by the way) and map editing across many games, the feeling one gets while exploring the benthic environment (of the seabed) is truly desolate.
Very few structures were placed on sand or rock, showing thus the bare essence of the seabed. Considering the extremely low biotic density of a real ocean floor, one could certainly make the environment feel more alive, perhaps with encrustations, small coral or limestone formations, shells of various gastropods, or various crustaceans, such that the seabed does not appear still unprogrammed by the developers.
Even when present, some environmental elements poorly enhance the game’s setting because they are placed in almost random spots and without any environmental context. We therefore believe that, considering the real-world dynamics and still aiming to offer a genuinely enjoyable video game product, it is necessary to improve the game’s environment—perhaps by adding more points of interest or including a few more fauna specimens (always remembering that, in fact, the population at certain depths is truly sparse).
We want to believe that the game, as already reported, is still in a very early stage of development and may take on more shape over time. The Gallery section is a clear example: inside it, you can read the most detailed description of every scanned object/living creature. Personally, I was truly disappointed in seeing the descriptions of corals, echinoderms and fish reduced to at most three crammed lines.
The Graphics
Menu and navigation options before the game starts are all in all simple but effective for the game’s purpose. The major concerns are tied to the animations, textures, and underwater environment dynamics of the water and underwater environment. At first glance, it seemed like a game that had already been around for at least a decade and hadn’t taken into account any graphical improvements from the 2010–2020 period.
Very disturbing are the frame drops during the temporal acceleration, when you go from 40-60fps to 3-9fps while scrolling through time at 8x. Since this feature is essential to descend to great depths without losing countless minutes, nausea is guaranteed for the more sensitive. We also support, as previously mentioned in the gameplay section, that the map is objectively too simplified and could be improved by loading a real-world oceanic/coastal map (depths - points of interest - navigational routes). Finally, the overall optimization merely underscores that much more work needs to be done before subROV can leave Early Access.
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In conclusion
The simulator is certainly a great product from the practical standpoint of managing ROUV. It possesses a remarkable potential that allows us to hope for a series of updates that would make this game the perfect gift for all fans of the genre. Currently, however, we still consider it too rough, even to be called an Early Access selling for €19.50. Too many elements have demonstrated how much more work is still needed to develop an idea that is MIRACULOUSLY beautiful. At the moment, therefore, unless we’re supporting its development, we don’t feel comfortable recommending it.
