The Zahhab Region Depths is a sub-stage in Endless Ocean 2, accessed by entering one of the Twin Crevasses in the Zahhab Region. The increased air consumption seen in the North Coast of Canada during the main story returns here, though the player will be able to breathe normally here as soon as Chapter 5 of the story is completed.
The Depths are divided into two sections - the Northern Crevasse and the Southern Crevasse - each home to its own unique array of deep sea life. Similar to Endless Ocean's Abyss, the area is geologically and geographically typical of a deepwater trench, with a seafloor adorned with volcanic chimneys and sparse caverns carved into the cliff walls.
In the North American and European localizations of the game, "The Last Rose of Summer" by Celtic Woman loops in the background during the player's first dive here. In the Japanese version, "Ave Maria" by Chloë Agnew plays on the first visit instead. Regardless, after the completion of Chapter 5, both tracks are available on Nineball Island's jukebox, provided the player has purchased it from Nancy.
In-Game[]
Loading Description[]
"A world bereft of sun, these caverns contain their own unique forms of marine life. This includes deepwater sharks, so enter with caution."
Notebook Description[]
"Diving into the Twin Crevasses in the Zahhab Region will bring you to this mysterious deepwater ecosystem.
Jean-Eric and Matthias together discovered these crevasses, along with their unique ecology."
Spots[]
Northern Crevasse[]
A Risso's dolphin, found in the Northern Crevasse.
The Northern Crevasse is a canyon home to a single giant squid, as well as other distinctive forms of life, like the sea pigs that patrol the ocean floor. This Crevasse is also home to an oarfish, a few ocean sunfish who are only present by night, and even a pod of Risso's dolphins that live closer to the seafloor.
Southern Crevasse[]
The Southern Crevasse is inhabited by splendid alfonsinos, longnose lancetfish, pelican eels, two giant siphonophores, and an aggressive bluntnose sixgill shark that will attack the player on sight.
Secret Passage[]
This long cave links the Northern and Southern Crevasses, illuminated by popeye grenadiers. The zoom-mode glows in this cave are oftentimes home to humpback anglerfish. Returning here after beating Chapter 5 will cause both of the area's resident megamouth sharks to appear.
Chimney Forest[]
The Chimney Forest is, as its name suggests, a large conglomeration of hydrothermal vents adorning the seafloor. Unlike the vents in Endless Ocean's Whalebone Chasm, these vents are never active at any time through the course of the game.
Living under zoom-mode glows in this area are several unique and alien-looking creatures, including Venus's flower baskets, galetheid crabs, and deep-sea blind shrimps.
Osiris's Courtyard[]
The wreck of the HD-9, resting in Osiris's Courtyard.
Located near the seafloor, the Giant's Lair leads to this somber, shadowy dome. Matthias Louvier piloted a the HD-9 submarine here in pursuit of the Song of Dragons, whos wreckage can be found here in the Courtyard. Investigating the submarine will grant the player Matthias's last letter to his father, as well as the final piece of the Dragon Flute.
In the zoom-mode glows located around this area, the player can find giant sea spiders, as well as the occasional humpback anglerfish. This area is also where the player can find the Microscopium Coin.
Landmarks[]
Giant's Lair[]
Named after the giant squid that initially blocks this tunnel's entrance during the main story, Giant's Lair is a long passage leading to Osiris's Courtyard littered with hydrothermal vents. It is fairly devoid of live, mainly housing firefly squid and glass squid under zoom glows.
Northern Cavern[]
Located in the Northern Crevasse at a depth of around 300 feet (91 meters), this landmark is a small, dead-end cave. This cavern is inhabited by a shoal of popeye grenadiers, and a megamouth shark patrols the nearby area.
Southern Cavern[]
A group of vampire squid in the Southern Cavern.
At a depth of around 400 feet (122 meters), the player can find this small cave embedded in the wall of the Southern Crevasse. vampire squids patrol this cavern, waving the glowing tips of their tentacles to confuse enemies. This cave is the resting place of the Terra Coin. A megamouth shark also patrols this area. This cave is also the easiest spot to find the resident giant siphonophores.
Twin Caves[]
These caverns next to each other in the wall of the Southern Crevasse are located near the ocean floor. A bluntnose sixgill shark guards the entrances to the caves, attacking on sight.
In one of the caves, the player will find a group of giant isopods, and in the other a group of vampire squid. However, the latter cave will also eventually become home to the Grave Keeper, whom the player must discover with Oceana's help after beating Chapter 5. It also serves as the resting place of Cleo's Treasure.
Animal and Event Scenes[]
When diving in this stage with Hayako Sakurai, the player has the option to replay previously viewed scenes by talking her. The scenes available for the Zahhab Region Depths are as follows:
Animal[]
- Megamouth shark
- Giant siphonophore
- Giant squid
Event[]
- Sperm whale vs. giant squid: Viewed as part of the main story.
Story Significance[]
The first time the player visits the Depths, they're searching for the wreck of the HD-9 - the submarine in which Jean-Eric's son, Matthias, vanished. This is because they're in pursuit of the final piece of the Dragon Flute, which vanished with him.
The player encountering the air station in the Depths for the first time.
A problem arises with the fact that the player will consume air much faster at deeper depths due to fighting against the increased pressure, so searches would hardly be able to begin before surfacing to refill the oxygen tank would be necessary. However, GG has a solution, in the form of a large, secondary air tank to submerge before the player dives; it can serve as a refill station when the player gets low on air so that they can replenish their oxygen supply without having to worry about surfacing. After the secondary tank has been situated in the crevasse, the player can begin their search.
The dive begins in the Southern Crevasse, where the air station ended up submerged. Once the player locates it on the edge of the Chimney Forest, Jean-Eric reveals a piece of information that will aid the player in their search: as Matthias combed the area, he left behind plaques that detailed the expedition progress and the date on which the plaque was left. These plaques, made of metal, can be tracked using the Multisensor, and are laid in order of date, which means that the player can follow them chronologically up until the day Matthias went missing.
The player tracks these plaques across the Southern Crevasse and through a tunnel that connects it to the Northern Crevasse. When the player reaches the Northern Crevasse, Jean-Eric notifies them that he situated another air station in the area so that returning to the Southern Crevasse for air wouldn't be necessary.
The player follows the plaques across the Northern Crevasse and to an unexplored tunnel - the Giant's Lair. The plaques look as though they lead right to this cave's entrance, but the player can't get into it due to the fact that a giant squid is blocking the entrance. By using the Sea Whistle near the creature, the player can lure a sperm whale over to the area - the natural predator of the giant squid. It engages the squid in combat, which clears the player's path.
Traversing the Giant's Lair brings the player to Osiris' Courtyard. On the floor of this cavern lies the target of the expedition - the wreck of the HD-9. Upon investigation, the only thing of note to be brought back to the surface is a single waterproof bag in the cockpit - one that, when opened, is found to hold the final piece of the Dragon Flute, and Matthias Louvier's final letter to his father. This letter is able to bring Jean-Eric peace, as he learns his son died loving him, and feeling sorry for his actions towards him. With this newfound closure, L&L Diving Service presses on in their search for the truth behind the Song of Dragons, and the Pacifica Treasure.
Gallery[]
Notes[]
- The Zahhab Region Depths are the deepest map in the series at 570 feet, beating out the previous game's Abyss by 20 feet.
Dive Points:
Super Drop-Off • Coral Valley • Twin Crevasses • Long Fissure
Spots:
Coral Valley • Twin Crevasses • Aquarius Corner • Long Fissure • Stone Castle • Cavern of the Gods • Super Drop-Off • Open Sea • Northern Crevasse • Southern Crevasse • Stone Cavern Entrance
Landmarks:
Mushroom Rock • Cavern of the Sun • Echoing Terrace
Spots:
Secret Passage • Chimney Forest • Osiris's Courtyard • Northern Crevasse • Southern Crevasse
Landmarks:
Giant's Lair • Northern Cavern • Southern Cavern • Twin Caves
Spots:
Pillars of Light • Pillars of Shadow • Celestial Mausoleum • Stone Cavern Exit
Landmarks:
Altar of Isis • Altar of Horus • Altar of Osiris • Altar of Nephthys • Subterranean Reception Room