nah man aliens invaded and built red stuff then the terminator stopped them with the help of Jaws

My theory: You are the last person of Atlantis & the Illuminati destroyed everything so it's your duty to restore.

Another important detail: there is a set of ancient tables called the "Enuma Elis" which are the basis of the Babylonian myth. According to them, Abzu is the god of fresh waters , while Tiamat is the goddess of the oceans. Their marriage originated all other gods and living beings. I don't know to what extent that plays a part in the game's concept, but the text set to music in the game's epilogue is taken directly from the "Enuma Elis" (as per the ending credits).

You are Zu; you are called to know. Along your journey, you will meet Ab, who is water, the ocean. Together you shall face Tiamat, who is Chaos, the mother, and from her lifeless form, you shall be created as the gods in the midst of heaven.

The Inverse Pyramids are also in the sky, I've seen it on someones playthrough. You could see a big chained inversed Pyramid high in the sky

Abzû is the best possible execution for the "Journey 2" I've always wanted to play.

I agree with most of your theory. Let me give you all my theory from the eyes of a marine biologist. In one of the paintings on the wall in the broken down ruins is displayed the humanoids almost worshiping a Great White shark, and marine life in general. The White shark is the apex predator of the ocean, its the head honcho, the best hunter known to man. But not only is it the top predator, it's one of the ocean's millions, even trillions, of species that help protect the ocean and vicariously protecting us. For human life to survive, we need Sharks and whales and every little specimen of plankton in the ocean to not only survive but to thrive. In the world today that's not happening, mankind is all but obliterating the ocean ecosystems with acts like; Shark fining, long line fishing, culls, oil spills and over fishing. But back to my theory, I believe that in this game, we play the part of an Ocean Guardian. Mankind (or whatever those humanoids were in the paintings) was wiped out by who/whatever made those pyramids (humans in a sense). I think we, the guardian, were a kind of fail-safe in case things went south, and we were programmed to activate when some kind of substantial oceanic change was somehow felt thus finding us randomly floating in the ocean. So tl;dr- We're a type of ecosystem fail-safe protection robot that's programmed to fix what mankind did. #SharkLivesMatter

Interesting theory. My take is that the Harvesters are aliens since you can see them in the sky early on in the game. The Harvesters built a robot to look similar to the ancient civilization in order to gain their trust. Then the Harvesters stole the energy from the ocean and began to mine other places in the ocean. It destroyed the city and forced the civilization to move away or something similar. Rather than the Harvesters killing the them; the people instead evolved to live on land (just like their amphibious ancestors before them). This theory is backed by the small room you find in Chp.6 which depicts a member of the ancient civilization alongside birds, a creature of the land. Meanwhile the Harvesters continuing mining the ocean's energy and destroying the temples which housed the ocean's guardians (worshiped as gods by the civilization). Leaving only one guardian left, the Great White. With the power of the ocean inside you, the Diver revives the temples and brings back the fallen guardians.

Loved your interpretation of the story. I agree with you. I'd also like to add my thoughts. The first time the protagonist interacts with one of the drones, it has a red light and scans the protagonist. That is the only time the protagonist is scanned which leads me to think that the drones communicate with other drones and the pyramid core. After the scanning is complete, the drone acts "friendly" and leads the protagonist into trust, as do all others. The drones are also collected at the end of zones, and the protagonist is not permitted to enter the collection port. It seems like the protagonist is self aware. I tend to think that the pyramid core is also. The drones help the protagonist progress closer towards the pyramid core; if it is self aware, in communication with the drones, and collecting and harboring power, it seems like its intention is to eliminate any competition for power and control. I'd also like to think that when the protagonist discovers broken droids and other tech, it was the great white's doing. The creature is always ahead of the protagonist. It attacked one of the droids in front of the protagonist. This attack also came from below where broken cores, ruins, and an ecosystem spawn sit in the darkness. Though that could have just been a representation of actual great white behavior despite this particular shark repeated being shown to act differently than the other wildlife. Due to the communication between drones and the pyramid core, the drones were instructed to gain the trust of the protagonist so that when that attack happens in front of the protagonist, space and distrust is created. This strengthens the pyramid core's standing by weakening the connection of the protagonist and the great white. Picking off every mindless piece of technology that isn't helping the ocean reflects the desperate situation.

I always took the story to be about an ancient civilization that respected and worked with a natural power source that gave life to all things but the pyramids are actually an alien technology and not a creation of the original species. The Pyramids stole the energy source thus wiping out the natural life and ancient civilization and used it to power its creations, including you but for whatever reason (possibly the life giving energy inside you) you became aware and possibly malfunctioned which is why you are floating in the middle of nowhere and you decide to rebel. This explains why the shark was hostile or at least evasive to you in the first place. Each to their own theories though I guess :)

You forgot one detail, whenever you surface in the game and look in the sky (especially when the game first starts) you can see the harvesters in the sky, like I space of just floating there.

Yes, this video has been the foundation of my recent theory. Have you noticed that towards the final swim into the huge precursor pod, the unique mountain of Journey can be seen? I've analysed a picture of the mountain and it has the unique crack that leads to the imense source of power. I think that Journey, Abzu and Sky (upcoming release) are linked. Both Journey and Abzu share nearly identical themes. Greed. Sky could be connected due to the huge precursor pod seen hovering in the sky at the very start of Abzu. Perhaps the remains of the civilisation fled to the stars? All we can do is speculate.

I know the video is on the quiet side, it has to do with how the clip was rendered, apologies! The next one will blow your ears off, you have my word.

Good analysis on the story from paintings. But I think there is some other aspect to journey progressing through the game. It did not occur to me at first, but upon reaching temple section after first inverted pyramid showdown - you release Helicoprion from one of those pools. What's was so weird about that? That creature had extinct 250 million years ago! You go back in time. It's like a trip to museum. Starting with more recent species - you even meet your first land animals while walking on foot in first room, they crawled out of water around 240 million years ago. I thought the game would end with some kind of protozoan life :-) Very interesting detail. Life comes from the ocean, after all. I see it as a nice tribute to evolution, and maybe - just maybe - hinting at the theory of life being brought by ancient alien race?

I think there's also an element of artificial intelligence grown beyond it's bounds to this game. With the doors following your movements and the core desperately trying to protect itself, it didn't strike me as impossible that it too is to blame for the current state of the world.

In the credits it said the text was from the Enûma Eliš, the Babylonian creation myth.

I almost cried when the shark sacrificed itself and then saw the orehistoric animals and was like "Oh sh- I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SAD ABZU"

my absolute favorite scene was when we went through a riptide and emerged into this heavenly environment, it was an unforgettable moment

I had a rough idea of the message in this amazing game, but you helped so much to clear it up and reveal the backstory. The game is so enjoyable, and thanks.

Now THIS is what I call quality content. Very well explained and a very good observation as to the meaning of the game at the end of the video. What's crazy is as impressed as I am with your explanation there are still so many unanswered questions. Where are these humanoid creatures? Surely they couldn't have ALL died, right? Why are you alone? Were you the only robot of that nature created? Why are you seemingly sentient? Is the scene toward the end of the your journey where you destroy the mine-esque machines in the tranquil waters creating life with the shark an illusion or real? And if it is an illusion how is that possible if you're a robot? There are way too many rabbit holes but you get the idea. Love how open to interpretation this all is and again love this video. Keep doing what you're doing Nik Moe!

I just finished the game, and this video helped me make more sense of it. Like Journey, I just reveled in the beauty while playing, even though I didn't fully understand what was going on. This made me appreciate it even more though! Do you have a similar video for Journey?

This was a great review/explanation, well done!

I’ve played this game several times and there are little things like the jars that I totally missed!! I agree with the main theme that you discussed. I love playing this game over and over again especially with my little ones because they love watching all the fish and we kind of tell our own story as we go. Great video!!

I seriously LOVE Abzu.

I finished playing this game just hours ago, and I absolutely loved it. Here's my theory about it, sorry it's not that elaborate or doesn't make much sense but I'm not good at making theories haha This game shows the world, centuries after us, where the water drastically rised up and swallowed the surface (in fact, during the game, there are lots of buildings and what they seemed to be houses and temples). Technology got really advanced and humans created androids (like the character we play) that could resist to any danger and explore the world (I think the character we play is an android as well, because no one could have resisted that long from the electric shocks of the floating triangles, and it doesn't show emotions at all). Then humans got enxincted, and only the androids and the sea animals were left. Our character is one of the androids that survived, and to understand better the world it was living in, it began to swim. The more it was going in the deep ocean, the more it was discovering the toxic part of humanity, that caused their enxinction (that kind of laboratory with all of those floating triangles, I suppose). It also discovered how to bring back to life some species that were enxincted. What do you think about it? ^^

I got a BIG feeling that Journey and Abzû took place in the same universe :3

Incredible video really enjoyed your insight

I've played the game 4 time. IT'S SO GOOD.

This was one of my favorite games I have ever played.

I played Abzu and the ending gave me goosebumps.

Loved the narration, almost felt like listening to an amazing audiobook! Good job!!

Just played through this game for the first time and found this video, and the review in your video was very well written. Game was beautiful, and had a lot to say that almost transcends words. Enjoyable take on the game.

The setup with the robot companion being destroyed by the shark was basic yet effective. Almost every lets play out there has the same reaction of friendliness towards the robot and hostility/fear toward the great white.

not trying to ask this to get a laugh but did anyone else get a little mermaid type vibe while playing?

How do you not have more subs? Your videos are great dude, keep them up

I recently finished the game myself and I think your analysis in spot on. It actually helped me fill in the gaps with regards to things I missed while playing the game, so many thanks for that. A lot of your observations make perfect sense and I agree that ABZU is very much a cautionary tale with a strong environmental message.

The story of ABZU is actually us in current time. The unlimited powerful resource in the ocean is OIL! We human needs oil in every inch of our life, foods, fuel, factory, all needs oil. But our greed to harvest oil in the ocean causes a huge impact to the ocean itself. the triangle robot there represents the machine that we use to harvest oil. We all know the fact that how much oil that left and spread in the ocean and cause the dead of thousands of fishes and coral. This game give us message to help ocean and protect them. Love our ocean like we love our life. PS: Pardon my english, Im not native .p

This is really beautiful. Thanks for uploading!

Great video! I enjoyed your interpretation of the game and it resonated with mine as well I love games like this with seemingly minimal plot that ends up being surprisingly deep if you look for it.

just got this on epic store for free just wanted to see what it was about so if anyone wants this game its free until the 15th oct 2020 guys also amazing breakdown vid bro

May sound silly , but I appreciate that little wrap up at the end. I have ADD and I have to rewatch everything like 15 times. Little touches like that help me feel less tired after taking in an interesting piece of information.

i just got this game today, and honestly its one of the most beautifully made games ive ever played. absolutely beautiful scenery.

You have the perfect voice and pace to make videos of games like ABZU and Inside. Love your videos, keep it up please

Absolutely top flight analysis! I finished Abzu literally an hour ago. What a fantastic experience!

Very well explained. In fact the best explanation I could find on youtube. You definitely deserve more more subscribers. Good Job, keep it up mate 👍

We just did a playthrough of this game, and tried to explain what we thought the game was about, sounds like we hit on a couple of the points you raised, but you gave a really collected and eloquent explanation of your interpretation of the story. Great video, chap!

Great theory very concise and good research into the game, keep up the great work!

I’ve played it so many times and never understood! Thank you!

Keep making videos, man. Great stuff on the channel!

Fantastic video. Really great work on this.

this was very well made. i enjoyed every second of this video. thank you

Wow... I just subbed. Haven't finished the video yet but I'm loving your narrative. So simple yet exquisite. Keep up the great work..!!!!

Subscribed! Very Helpful Your Voice Makes Me Relaxed For Some Reason??!?

You earned yourself a subscriber! I love this game and think the story its telling is very meaningful, i like your perspective on the story

ABZU was a game that got me hooked years ago on visuals alone. Later I heard the soundtrack and Austin Wintory didn't disappoint, however, what got me intrigued was the name. After discovering that the name comes from ancient Mesopotamian mythology I started paying more attention to the ruins and the Ishtar Gate-inspired walls. An excellent breakdown of the story, thumbs up.

I cried when spoiler alert the shark died

Awesome analysis. Thank you so much! It helped me understand the game better.

Just subscribed. Beautiful game, beautiful video. Keep it up!

Brilliant, thanks for making this video! I very much enjoyed the insight.

Excellent examination of the evidence. I feel satisfied with your version of Abzu's story! Thanks and keep making the great content!!!

Great video, thank you for breaking it down. I had many of the same ideas in mind, and that there was some social criticism involved towards our society. I just could not put it it together as eloquently. This helped iron it all out for me.

I see you put loads of effort into your videos, you earned yourself a new sub.

Just stumbled upon your channel, good stuff mate, enjoyed the vids, you definately deserve more views and subs! keep up the good work :)

just finished this. thanks for the explanation!

I think I enjoyed this more than the game, huge ups dude! new sub for sure

Even if you don't see all of the story there is a lot of subtle things that change your mood and emotions, the Sharks attack on the robot ally instilling a fear of the shark, the red giving a feeling of hostility and danger

Insightful video, I can easily see your channel growing immensely in the future. Subscribed.

Great video it must take you a long time to make this. It's beautiful and a work of art. Keep it up your gonna become huge I can see it

your video's are so well planned, edited, and executed how do you only have 6.4k subs

Very well explained, I must say. I really love how the game subtly tells you the story and I absolutely agree with your interpretation. I've felt very happy when I finished the game for the first time today. Awesome game!

I greatly enjoyed the video and your explanation, and have subscribed to eagerly await new videos here. Well done!

Really interesting video! Thanks for that explanation, i accord to your theory cause it's similar to what i understood when i've made the game the first time ;)

As much as I loved Abzu, it did share an awful lot of its story points with Flower and Journey. [pure world/civilization perverted by technology/industry/war, you play as the force that can save it and restore balance to nature.] It's not a bad story by any means, it's just not the same experience the third time around. Still, Abzu has some incredible, incredible moments. Totally worth the money.

Absolutely love what you did there. I have something to add...research ABZU in the context of the ancient Sumerians story of ENKI and what abzu meant to them.

I love this theory about the lore, because my understanding of the world after playing Abzû was quite a different one.

Awesome take man I love it

Bruh journey was so sick back in the day like just finding random I really need to pick up this game

ok first of all your voice is good secend the video was awesome and i enjoyed it very much thank u for this awesome story explained

In the credits there is a note saying that the text comes from the first tablet of the Enuma Elis. That is a series of tablets depicting the/a Babylonian creation myth describing Abzu and Tiamat (the primal beings of fresh and salt water respectively). You can read more about that online.

I don't think there's any explanation that really fits better than yours. It's definitely the vibe I caught while playing the game. It makes you really feel bad watching the destruction of nature in the real world and causes some pretty deep reflection on what could happen when we exhaust our own planet's resources

i think that the civilization must have been advanced and respected the ocean and the shark as their sacred guardian but then as they are starting to evolve they start to make more advanced stuff but then the pyramid must have malfunctioned and killed the civilization while sending the protagonist far away as a last chance of restoring the ocean with its capability of having the ocean's power in it. then when the little drones are found they might be telling the core where you are so the core can supply more drones to "help the protagonist" and the shark destroys the drone might be symbolizing that the shark is aware that the drone is evil and that the protagonist is the ocean's last hope. and once each drone is destroyed the core prepares mines to stop the protagonist and the shark. but when the shark tries to destroy the core might point out that the shark might be sentient.

Beautifully explained, I adore this game🤗

really nice POV on this. I loved this game and your interpretation of the story is, imo, correct and will be the storyline I will personally subscribe to.

I really wanted to see another interpretation of the game, and thanks now I have! I have a huge background with the ocean and video games, and honestly, Abzu killed my dreams of ever making a dream game since it is better than anything I could have made. As an ocean geek, I had a bit of a different initial feeling but reach the same conclusions about the story. See, I would LOVE to follow a Great White, the concept of worshiping an apex predator that manages an ecosystem is very natural to me. I had my doubts about the little robot "allies" after the first use of one to break apart the coral. I felt like this is the kind of artistic game where all mechanics have a symbolic purpose and meaning, and I thought, for a nature theme, destroying your way through felt strange so I felt like the little bot had what was coming for him with the shark. Essentially my experience with the story amounted to more of an immediate wariness of the true nature of the protagonist and a more immediate love for the shark.

Fantastic video man! I just played through it and had a hard time understanding the story. It's a lot deeper than I thought!

thank you for your interpretation and I loved the video

I was confused by the game since i didn't really feel like i got the message and the idea of abzu. So thank you a lot for clearing things up for me! You are great!

very good! nicely explained.

something i feel needs to be addressed is that the game is heavily influenced by the Enûma Eliš, the babylonian creation myth. everything from the game's title to the songs on the ost directly reference it. it could also be a creative retelling of the Enûma Eliš (or a different story like this, with heavy inspiration drawn from the myth)

Great video dude

Great video! Good observations, I think that the story is fairly straight forward just purely visual. subbed! Oh, have you played Inside? It's another phenomenal visual narrative game.

This game is a literal work of art, in that ultimately, it's something that's open to interpretation, while simultaneously being visually and audibly stunning. Though, I feel like your interpretation is the best one I've heard so far :)

great commentary. great vid

I really liked this video as well as your one on firewatch. Could you please do Journey as well?

I really like the art style and the music of this game

This video is pretty great.. Maybe you should try to do such a thing for other games of this style (like "Journey") It's very instructive for thoses who played that game without taking care of ALL details (I didn't noticed the red shape of the jars wich is important and didn't knew the origins of the name "AbZû") Reallly good video, very clear explanation, just awesome, thank for this And sorry for my english :/

I picked up the game Saturday for free from PSN and I love it I completed it 100%.

I agree and think same ! Well done for the explanation :)

Amazing! Earned my sub.

Great video. I loved this game.