is a

video game Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This fee ...

for the

PlayStation is a video gaming brand that consists of five home video game consoles, two handhelds, a media center, and a smartphone, as well as an online service and multiple magazines. The brand is produced by Sony Interactive Entertainment, a divisi ...

developed by

Artdink is a Japanese developer of video games, based in Tsukishima, Tokyo. By far Artdink's biggest international success was the award-winning ''A-Train'' (known in Japan as ''A Ressha de Ikou'', or "Take the A-Train") strategy game released for the ...

. The game is an underwater

simulation A simulation is the imitation of the operation of a real-world process or system over time. Simulations require the use of Conceptual model, models; the model represents the key characteristics or behaviors of the selected system or proc ...

in which the player assumes the role of an overworked marine explorer who returns to the water for pleasure after having brought harmony to the world's oceans. ''Aquanaut's Holiday'' was followed by a few Japan-exclusive sequels on various PlayStation consoles.

Gameplay

Gameplay in ''Aquanaut's Holiday'' takes place in a

first-person perspective A first-person narrative is a mode of storytelling in which a storyteller recounts events from their own point of view using the first person It may be narrated by a first-person protagonist (or other focal character), first-person re-teller ...

and consists primarily of the player exploring vast stretches of ocean, occasionally discovering underwater ruins or treasure, or communicating with underwater creatures. The game has no time limits, enemies, or other obstacles. The game's objective, aside from exploring, is to build a large

coral reef A coral reef is an underwater ecosystem characterized by reef-building corals. Reefs are formed of colonies of coral polyps held together by calcium carbonate. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, whose polyps cluster in groups. Co ...

to attract a wide variety of fish and other marine wildlife.

Development

''Aquanaut's Holiday'' was developed by the Japanese studio

and directed by Kazutoshi Iida. The game designer was also behind Artdink's ''

Tail of the Sun ''Tail of the Sun'', known in Japan as , is an action role-playing video game developed by Artdink for the PlayStation. It was released in Japan in 1996 by Artdink and North America in 1997 by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was created by Kazut ...

'' and later headed development of ''

Doshin the Giant ''Doshin the Giant'' is a god simulation game developed by Param and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 and GameCube. It was originally released in Japan on December 1, 1999, as a launch game disk for the 64DD peripheral for Nintendo 64 ...

'' for the

Nintendo GameCube The is a home video game console developed and released by Nintendo in Japan on September 14, 2001, in North America on November 18, 2001, and in PAL territories in 2002. It is the successor to the Nintendo 64 (1996), and predecessor of the Wii ...

Reception

On release, ''

Famicom Tsūshin formerly ''Famicom Tsūshin'', is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Kadokawa Game Linkage (previously known as Gzbrain), a subsidiary of Kadokawa. ''Famitsu'' is published in both weekly and monthly formats as well as in the fo ...

'' scored ''Aquanaut's Holiday'' a 24 out of 40.NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: アクアノートの休日. Weekly Famicom Tsūshin. No.342. Pg.32. 7 July 1995. The game won a Japan Software Award in 1996. Critical reception has been mixed. USA magazine '' Next Generation'' reviewed the game as an import prior to its release in North America, commenting that, "Seen from a first-person perspective, AH's exotic sea life and realistic landscapes soon have you believing you really are exploring the floor of the ocean. And though the gaming aspect is a little on the subtle side, it's enjoyable just swimming around." They scored it four out of five stars. Their later, much briefer review of the domestic release lowered the score to two stars and said "Points for effort, but most gamers will be bored."

IGN ''IGN'' (formerly ''Imagine Games Network'') is an American video game and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa distri ...

stated that ''Aquanaut's Holiday'' does not truly qualify as a game, but instead "a fun and immersive 3D underwater sim of the most relaxing kind". Shawn Sackenheim of

Allgame RhythmOne , previously known as Blinkx, and also known as RhythmOne Group, is an American digital advertising technology company that owns and operates the web properties AllMusic, AllMovie, and SideReel. Blinkx was founded in 2004, went publ ...

likewise called the game to be a great stress-reliever and complimented its "beautiful" presentation and "rewarding" gameplay model. Victor Lucas of

The Electric Playground ''EP Daily'' (formerly ''The Electric Playground'') is a daily news television show that covers video games, movies, TV shows, comic books, collectibles and gadgets. Created and executive produced by host Victor Lucas, and his Vancouver, British ...

agreed that the graphics were most impressive, but ultimately found the combination of exploration gameplay and atmospheric music extremely boring. NowGamer was also unimpressed, summarizing, "Unless you’ve got more money than sense, our advice is to save your pennies and spend them on a title that truly pushes the PlayStation to its technical limits without relying on the contents of

Captain Birdseye Captain Birdseye, also known as Captain Iglo, is the advertising mascot for the Birds Eye (known as Iglo in parts of Europe) frozen food brand founded by Clarence Birdseye. Appearing in numerous television and billboard commercials, he has been pla ...

’s pantry." The game sold more than 200,000 units in Japan.

Sequels

''Aquanaut's Holiday'' was followed by a few Japan-exclusive sequels. ''Aquanaut's Holiday: Memories of Summer 1996'' and ''Aquanaut's Holiday 2'' were released on the PlayStation in 1996 and 1999 respectively and were later made available for download on the

PlayStation 3 The PlayStation 3 (PS3) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment. The successor to the PlayStation 2, it is part of the PlayStation brand of consoles. It was first released on Novemb ...

and

PlayStation Portable The PlayStation Portable (PSP) is a handheld game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on December 12, 2004, in North America on March 24, 2005, and in PAL regions on September 1, 2005, ...

in 2008. Another game, '' Aquanaut's Holiday: Hidden Memories'', was released for the PlayStation 3 in 2008.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Aquanaut's Holiday 1995 video games Artdink games PlayStation (console) games PlayStation (console)-only games Simulation video games Sony Interactive Entertainment games Submarine simulation video games Video games developed in Japan Single-player video games