Giant Squid’s follow-up to Abzu is a real triumph.

When I renewed my Apple Arcade subscription, this was a pleasant surprise. I didn’t know what Giant Squid had planned next, but the answer is sort of Journey crossed with Breath of the Wild, but something I loved far more than either.

Like Journey, it’s about mobility, environmental storytelling, a quest with a spiritual element. The BotW similarities I see are more mechanical, with dashing, gliding, and puzzle-solving in a large explorable world, but focused, streamlined, rewarding. There’s no health bar or endless pages of inventory, and the only combat occurs in the boss fights against the corrupted gods of this world.

The nameless hunter has come to the sacred island of the gods to stop the Godslayer’s ascension. He has already corrupted the five animalistic spirits, and she must purify their domains—expansive plateaus and valleys—then battle them and cleanse their souls (culminating in a visit to the spirit world, visually lifted directly from Abzu in a nice bit of continuity).

Helping you is the reincarnation of the Mother Eagle, the chief god, who acts as a useful and adorable companion. She helps you glide and soar around the stunningly beautiful landscapes, interact with puzzle elements, and there’s even segments where you pat her to restore her vitality if she’s exposed to corruption, which end with the sweetest affectionate animations between the two characters.

If the eagle companion isn’t the standout mechanic, then the smooth flow of your movement through the world is… or the satisfying exploration and discovery. It all ties in together so well! Moving around is facilitated by red icons scattered everywhere, which give you a boost when you shoot them with your bow, also refilling your dash bar. The eagle then can carry you in the air, and flap to gain height. Finding more (somewhat Korok-esque) hidden secrets in the world builds up to getting you additional flaps. The rhythm of running, jumping, shooting, and gliding to traverse feels very good indeed.

As you explore you can also uncover the history of the island and the Godslayer’s rise to power, through inscriptions and the spirit remains of the island’s dead residents, which tell you their dying thoughts. It’s the first instance of written text telling you the story in this lineage of games (although I guess there’s some in Sky?) but it’s optional and not overbearing even if you read it all. The story has themes of of dogmatism, predestination, and different responses to faith, although ultimately the plot itself is relatively straightforward.

I found myself completely absorbed in the world and rhythm of this game, eager to range across the hills and investigate every nook, to run and to fly and learn. As far as I’m concerned it surpasses any of the devs’ previous work, including Austin Wintory’s score. Really, really good.