A totally mesmerizing and invigorating sensory poem. One of the few indie artygames seemingly made in simple pursuit of beauty I've played recently that actually, y'know, bothers to deliver a nourishing and enveloping vision of beauty! There are some definite style comparisons to be made here, all of which I'm really into (Ori Toor, Chad VanGaalen, David O'Reilly), but Paloma Dawkins' throbbing illustrative style has a rough-hewn and elliptical quality to it that feels entirely her own. The way these images are made manifest and adorned throughout the gamespace is also totally unique: Oceanarium combines the microplanet-hopping perspective from Mario Galaxy with that primitive 90's 3D design workaround in which environmental objects (trees, etc) were simple upright 2d textures that rotated to face the player camera from any angle. Probably doing a horrid job explaining this effect but just play the darn game and if u get it u get it! Oceanarium utilizes this trick to such stunning ends, embroidering hundreds of wafting cloned floral illustrations all rotating in unison throughout its fishbowl camera world, creating this bizarre and schismatic combo of perspective elements that turns this transcendental benthic zone into a quivering symphony. I havent felt as energized by simply navigating around in a game environment in a long time, and despite not being a very mechanically deep playspace (who care) this is such a wondrous proof of concept and piece of visual expression. Like in O'reilly's work, some of the wry 1337speak transcendentalisms of the dialogue aren't really my thing but I actually feel like their obtuse fluffiness works well here, like little phonic bubbles fizzing along and softly contributing to the overall hypnotic effect woven together by the stronger imagery and sound design. The SerpentWithFeet-ass music in the climax/credits sequence is SO GOOD

I also LOVE how, despite being totally arresting and gorge, Oceanarium is clearly made by a small group of people with indivualized but accessible technical/drafting skills, and with such clever technique and economy of design. I love a masterful 800ft ornate golden cathedral made by hundreds just as much as anybody, but semi-janky personal expressions of beauty are always going to resonate more with me!! So inspired!!!! going to doodle all weekend bye