Good Water Levels

[BrokenGeode]

One thing that has remained rather infamous throughout videogames are water levels, with them almost always being the worst level of the game as they often make the physics of the game incredibly floaty, slowing any sense of momentum the game previously had to a grinding halt and almost always impose an incredibly BS oxygen mechanic (I'm looking at you Conkers Bad Furday). But what I want to discuss are the actually good water levels, ones that put their theme to good use and may even be a highlight of the game.

The first suggestion I'd make would be the Underwater Tunnel from Sin and Punishment 2. It still flies at the lightning pace of the rest of the game and uses the underwater theme to create some really cool enemies and set pieces such as the Anemone mini boss, the Sea serpents constantly attacking you and the rather amusing second form of the endstage boss.

[SirGawain]

This is a tough one. Like you said, water levels are usually the bane of everyones existence in video games. The one game that sticks out to me is Soul Reaver. While not a traditional water level or anything, the fact that it killed you and you had to find a way out and back to the physical plane added a interesting layer to the game.

I wasn't against the water level in Super Mario 64. Just wasn't the highlight of the game or anything. The most fun water levels are on Donkey Kong though. Riding a sword fish and all

[Stark]

The water levels in Rayman Legends and Origins are great and some of the best music in the game.

[SpoonyBard]

Bioshock?

[Ziggy]

The water levels in DKC Tropical Freeze are pretty fun. I didn't get the "Oh no, water level, sloooooooow" feeling like I did with other games.

[Stark]

Bioshock?

Heh.

[Reprise]

Ecco the Dolphin... Wait, never mind

[Hobie-wan]

Ecco the Dolphin... Wait, never mind

You meant In The Hunt, right?

[ninjainspandex]

Super Mario sunshine had great water levels as did the Donkey Kong Country games.

[foxhound1022]

The 1st stage of Batsugun.