The Abyss is a sub-stage in Endless Ocean. It is the second sub-stage unlocked through the game's story, once Alfred Thorman has given the player an experimental air mixture.
During the player's first dive here, "Benedictus" by Hayley Westenra plays in the background. Following this, it can be selected from a menu during loading screens in order to loop in the background while diving.
In-Game[]
Loading Description[]
"Since the beginning, the ocean has been a source of wonder. Life flourishes even in the darkest depths."
Flora, Fauna, and Geography[]
Local Life[]
As Endless Ocean's only deep-sea stage, the Abyss is home to many creatures not found anywhere else. Notable examples include a giant squid, a sperm whale, several opah, a small group of coelacanths, an oarfish, a megamouth shark, a pod of Risso's dolphins, and a giant siphonophore. The Ancient Mother is implied to have once traveled through this stage, though she is never encountered here in-game.
Many creatures in the Abyss respond better to the light of the Underwater Pen than they do to touch or food. Therefore, when attempting to earn new Marine Encyclopedia entries for creatures found here, it is recommended to try using the Underwater Pen if other methods are not working.
Location and Geography[]
The Abyss is accessed through the Crevasse to the Abyss in Deep Valley, though only after receiving an email from Alfred Thorman regarding an experimental air mixture developed to assist with deep-sea diving. This triggers after discovering Deep Valley, and viewing a cutscene in which a sperm whale enters the Abyss.
Embedded in the wall of the Abyss' southern side is a plesiosaur fossil, which will prompt a short cutscene if it is interacted with. Much of the southern wall is littered with various fossilized bones, while a section of the northern wall is coated in mysterious glowing purple crystals.
Fragments of two salvageable items, the Anomalocaris Fossil and the Red Coral, are scattered around the Abyss in four parts each. The former is mostly found in zooms along the sea floor, while the latter's fragments are found spread between two caves in which red coral grow.
Spots[]
Whalebone Chasm[]
Whalebone Chasm.
Located on the Abyss' seafloor, this spot is named after the many whale skeletons that have sunk here. In order to progress further along into the story and unlock the Underwater Ruins of Mo'ia Atoll, discovering this spot is one of two requirements. A pair of bluntnose sixgill sharks are seen here during the day, but are replaced by a lone goblin shark at night. Several sea pigs are also found here along the seafloor.
This spot also encompasses the hydrothermal vent field found on the Abyss' eastern end, which is active during the day. At night, however, these vents go dormant, granting the player access to zoom glows containing galatheid crabs and deep-sea blind shrimp hidden among the vents, as well as access to an unnamed cave. Inside this cave are a small group of coelacanths, as well as two pieces of the Red Coral.
Secret Cave[]
This cave has two entrances in the southern wall of the Abyss, one of which is located in the stage's fossil wall surrounded by frilled sharks. The other entrance is a meeting spot for the local pod of Risso's dolphins, with the interior of the cave being frequented by snailfish, and common fangtooth at night. It is also home to a piece of the Anomalocaris Fossil.
Crystal Cave[]
Crystal Cave.
This cave's eastern entrance is encrusted in mysterious purple crystals, likely amethyst, which faintly glow blue. The Abyss' resident megamouth shark swims through here on its route, which varies depending on the time of day. This cave is also home to a piece of the Anomalocaris Fossil.
Fiend's Cave[]
Fiend's Cave is named after its resident vampire squids, as well as a giant squid which emerges from the cave during its introductory cutscene. This cave is also home to two pieces of the Red Coral.
Story Significance[]
Initial Discovery[]
The cutscene that plays of a sperm whale descending into the Abyss.
Before the Abyss has been unlocked, attempting to enter the Crevasse to the Abyss will cause Katherine to say:
Katherine: "This crack is like an abyss. Who knows how deep it is? Look, it's too dangerous to go deeper without proper equipment."
Doing this after having discovered the Great Aqua Cave's White Room will cause a cutscene to play, in which a sperm whale dives into the crevasse, making Katherine curious as to where it leads. Afterwards, they will get an email from Alfred Thorman about a new air mixture. The email in question goes as follows:
| A New Air Mixture |
|---|
| From: Alfred Thorman
The Marianas Foundation would like you to test a new air mixture designed for deep-sea diving. The formula was developed by the foundation, and we have high hopes for it. Deep-sea diving is considered to occur at 130 to 160 feet, although our air mixture should allow for effortless diving at nearly 500 feet. We have held a number of trials already but need a field test to solidify our results. Any location should be suitable as long as you reach a depth of at least 200 feet. All necessary equipment has been sent to Katherine. Good luck. -Alfred Thorman |
After the player opens this email and exits the cabin, Katherine will approach them and say:
Katherine: "Did you read the mail from Thorman? What a grump!
He wants a test at over 200 feet deep using his special air mixture, eh? Well, he pays the bills! Don't worry, I've made all the basic preparations for you. This air mixture should allow you to access much deeper areas.
But we have to test it first... So we need someplace deep... Hey! Remember that sperm whale we saw a while back? It was in that big crevasse, right? Anyway, if it was wide enough for a whale and deep enough for a whale... It has to be over 200 feet deep! I'll bet my life vest on it!"
After the player has explored the Abyss and returned to the boat, Kat will speak to them again.
Katherine: "That new air mixture worked great! Old Thorman will be pleased.
You know, the Manoa Lai Sea just never ceases to amaze me. I mean, that crevasse was HUGE! Like, really huge! How can such a distinct ecosystem exist so close to us? And why didn't I find it earlier, darn it?! That darkness holds more secrets. I know it... And I will find them...
Huh? What? Oh, sorry. Mumbling again. Anyway, good job. I'll let Thorman know right away."
Immediately after, the player will get another email from Thorman:
| Text Results |
|---|
| From: Alfred Thorman
Additionally, your discovery of an abyssal zone of such depth is a success in and of itself. It seems there is a surprising new ecosystem right under our noses. I am confident that the abyss has more secrets to reveal. Perhaps you should return and see what you can find? -Alfred Thorman |
Ancient Mother[]
After the player has decided to help Katherine with her life mission to prove the existence of the Ancient Mother, the first step towards this goal involves taking a tissue sample from Whalebone Chasm.
Katherine: "...So you want to know the plan, huh? Weeeell... I was thinking of a big net. Ha ha ha! Just kidding! Aaaaah ha ha ha! Man, you should see the look on your... ...Sorry.
But, yeah! I have a plan. And it's totally going to work. OK, first we have to find proof that the Ancient Mother exists. And that means searching these waters. Remember the giant crevasse we found while testing Thorman's air? That's our first target. There's a whale graveyard in the depths of the Abyss. These graveyards are actually fairly common. Whales from all over the area come there to visit the dead. And they keep coming back again and again. I'll bet my life jacket that the Ancient Mother is no different!
So let's head for the Abyss!"
The player must then enter the Abyss with a dolphin partner and head to Whalebone Chasm. Upon doing so, Katherine will notice something has caught the dolphin's attention:
Katherine: "Hey, what's going on? I think he found something. Why don't you check the spot where your partner is?
That looks like some kind of muscle tissue. It might be a whisker from a large whale. This could be a clue! OK, I need you to bring a sample back to the Gabbiano."
Upon exiting the Abyss and returning to the Gabbiano, Katherine will say:
Katherine: "You're back! Lemme see!
So this is the sample, huh? OK, it looks good. I'm pretty sure the aquarium can tell us more about it. I'll take it in for analysis as soon as I can. It's probably going to take a while, which means we have to wait.
...Yeeeeeah... Waaaaaaaaiting... Hum de dum... Gyaaaaa! I hate waiting!"
Some time later, the player will receive an email in regards to the sample:
| Exciting News About Your Sample |
|---|
| From: Alfred Thorman
This means we may be on the cusp of identifying a new creature that could be the largest animal in the world right here in the Manoa Lai Sea. As you can imagine, all of us at the federation are very excited. I think I may have a cup of hot tea to celebrate. -Alfred Thorman |
After opening this email and exiting the cabin, Katherine will approach the player to discuss the results.
Katherine: "The aquarium sent us its analysis of our sample! They say it's a piece of baleen characteristic of whales. DNA tests show many similarities to blue whales, but not a perfect match. Apparently, the animal that had this is also big. Real big. Reeeeeeeeeal big! Like...huge. That's all they said, but I'm sure it's from the Ancient Mother. It must be either a crazy blue whale subspecies or something entirely new.
So! That's where we're at! I think we can be sure that the Ancient Mother is here."
Gallery[]
Videos[]
Let's Play Endless Ocean, Episode 10- The Abyss
Notes[]
- The Abyss is the only sub-stage in the game that must be visited more than once in order to complete the story. While other sub-stages have their own required tasks, these can be completed upon the player's first visit. However, the final task in the Abyss can only be carried out towards the end of the game.
- It is also the only map in the game where a night dive is required, as story progression mandates the player to explore all of its caves, one of which is inaccessible by day.
[]
Spots:
Whalebone Chasm • Fiend's Cave • Crystal Cave • Secret Cave