Biart Studio is my diving coach

Today we are presented with a remarkable underwater simulator “Diver - Deep Water Adventures” by Biart Studio LTD. Going to play the simulator, I’ve got no any experience in diving, but I’ve got a hope (judge by intro) to dive in the most beautiful seas and oceans indoor. And everything proved to be so. But! I forgot, that the game’s name includes the word “Adventures”. Tension was generated in detective-like manner so the game proved to be made in the spirit of adventure novel. So do not to run ahead - let’s tell one after another.

The game has two difficulty levels: Simulator and Arcade. Being not easily frightened man, I selected “Simulator”. However, who just needs quick and enjoyable playing can choose “Arcade”.

The game introduction starts in this way:
“Andy McMasters was born in the rich family of the outstanding businessman. Even in the institute Andy was fond of underwater archeology and he decided to devote his life to this occupation. But his father wasn’t satisfied with son’s decision and Andy was devoid of financial support. The only possible way out for Andy was leaving the home sweet home and the beginning of the independent life…” (for more, please, read further in the game beginning).


These words make it clear that I have to rely on myself only, although the careful daddy will send out to me some secret helpers.

The action begins in New York port. The only things you have are $5000 and unpretentious boat “Zeus”.
In addition, you have no any diving skills at all. It is possible to get some training in diving, underwater photography and hunting here and after that, you can obtain paid certification.
You have to buy all equipment by yourself and start to accomplish various missions. After the mission aims were clarified, you can leave the port and move to the point using a world map.

Thanks to the developer, the map is very attractive and vivid. Be aware of thunderstorm clouds — if you ship get into there it would be hard to bear it.

Well, after weighing my anchor I put to the open ocean.
How do you think, what mission I would like to get when my underwater photography training have been completed? Yes, of course, it would be great to obtain a mission of photographing of amenity of underwater nature.
It was my first dive after much long training in chlorinated diving pool.
Oh! I'll feel the ocean flavour at last!
I've got a romance and joy at heart!

So I stopped myself at the point. Before the diving It is necessary to equip myself in accordance with the mission. (Unfortunately, the aim of my mission was no “fish photographing” in spite of the fact that I hope it would be so. It was to raise some important documents from the ocean floor to the surface, since a certain seafarer had a shipwreck in sea storm so his yacht with his documents sunk).

So, I dive...

Diving

I dipped into the blue sea and get enjoyed underwater amenities. And… “Oh, my God! Sharks!”
From this very moment the nervous tension did not let me go during all the game.
When diving to find the documents, I discovered on the sea bottom recently ruined aircraft… thus, running one mission you can accomplish another one. The state of affairs may be changed suddenly on the run, so I have to recollect my intention just to make some photos of little beautiful fishes, which led me to such scrapes. And more than once.

From bad to worse. Next missions presented to me other divers, but they were shooting at me using harpoon guns. From that moment, my mood to the game was drastically reversed. Now I don’t want to make photos of little beautiful fishes — I begun a cruel destroying of sharks, which nearly made me a stutterer when attacking from behind at night. Oh, I forgot to note about the importance of time of diving. I recommend you to dive at daylight only, since your nerves wouldn't be so shattered. Night diving is very scary, even when using an electric torch.
In addition, my sympathy to the “black divers” was over.

Economic Simulator

After couple of missions were completed I understood, that the simulator is similar to real life, because I became lack of money soon. I regretted that I blew my money in the beginning of the game when buying the most expensive equipment. It is very important to plan your expenses and not to buy things in advance. Please, remember, that even one extra trip for treasure will be recompensed, since fuel is also needs quite a lot of money. I’d like to note, that prices of various goods are differ from port to port and it would be wise to plan you shopping according to current mission.

And some of Quest

From time to time, a player encounters some puzzles and brainteasers through the game. To solve them it is needed to show a piece of sharpness and quick wit. For instance, running a document finding mission on board of sunk ship don’t be lazy to search in different boxes etc. and you can find something very wanted there. In another mission, you have to install “C4 explosives” in special places, but even with the map in your hands, it is not an easy matter to find needed points, regardless of the fact that they can be right under your very nose.

Overall impression of the game

In general, the game left ineffaceable impression. It made me feel romance, panic, nervous tension and heat.
The romance was cast by the wash, seagull voices, tossing yacht.
Sunk ships and submarines caused fear and terror. It made my mind to imagine vibrant scenes of crushes of those ships. Moreover, drifting through that gloomy flotsam it is not funny to meet sharp-toothed shark.
Ok, even if it’s only a game it is very unpleasant to be cut through half-and-half by a shark.
The tension is also supported by consciousness of danger of underwater trip with not too capacious aqualung (little balloon allows to move easier). Moreover, you must to be a sharpshooter because of the limited underwater harpoon ammunition. To replenish it you have to rise on your yacht. In addition, it is necessary to look around all the time, as ocean danger is waiting all over the place.
The heat is sustained by powerful drawing into the game, leading to the lost of time-orientation. You can even forget that simple exit form the game stops your shark-phobias. But you can’t stop it! You want to dive again and again. To make my long story short just try it. Just begin and don’t be scary. The game is quite simple. It’s easy to gain an understanding of core in short time. The only thing you need to do is to read hints and to listen to helpers.


After taking a closer look at this game, I can say boldly that Russian game development holds much promise. Increasingly more of recently inconspicuous development teams offering praiseworthy products advance on market.
To the point, not long ago the Biart Studio LTD took part in KRI 2007 exhibition in Moscow. We hope that some worthy publisher will note Biart Studio and decide to promote diving games and assist in development of further versions of games by Biart Studio.

There is no user's comments Post your comment

Related Links:

• Download Diver: Deep Water Adventures.
• Go back to category Games to read more reviews and articles.
• Go back to Software Magazine's main page.