Platforms
- PCAug 29, 20237.8playscore7.813 Critics8.0482 Players
- PlayStation 5Aug 29, 20237.7playscore7.124 Critics8.6635 Players
- Xbox Series X|SAug 29, 20237.8playscore7.47 Critics8.8101 Players
- PlayStation 4Aug 29, 20237.8playscore7.75 Critics8.5532 Players
- Xbox OneAug 29, 20237.8playscore7.75 Critics8.890 Players
35 critic reviews · 0 community reviews across all platforms
Critic Reviews
- With the former, it's the subtler ecological tones that show the pairing with Surfriders Foundation wasn't merely a marketing gimmick; there's more baked into its design than a mere placard yelling "there is no Planet B!" With the latter, the imposing sense of scale subtly encourages you to disinter more about this world, and perhaps yearn to restore it along the way. But then so much in between, from its personal story to puzzle design, is anchored into being so… expected and by-the-numbers. How you weigh these pros and cons will depend on your Pacific taste.
Lee Mehr · Oct 01, 2023 Reviewed on Series X|SRead full review - Under The Waves delivers a powerful narrative in an atmoshperic, underwater experience. As you descend further into the depths of this story, you will find yourself empathizing with the main character and experiencing the realities of accepting your past and moving on.
ZAHID AHMED · Sep 28, 2023 Reviewed on PS5Read full review - Under The Waves is a heartfelt story-driven adventure set in a beautifully crafted underwater world. While there’s a lot to love, such as the magnificent locations and the bizarrely beautiful dream sequences, there are also some flaws that pull it back from perfection.
Elie Gould · Sep 27, 2023 Reviewed on PCRead full review - Although some mechanical elements suggest other games, Under the Waves uses deep sea exploration for its twin themes of personal grief and environmental exploitation in a unique way. There’s a lack of technical refinement here and there, and the messaging gets heavy-handed at times. Under the Waves is actually about something which puts it ahead of many other games in the survival crafting genre.
Mark Steighner · Sep 25, 2023 Reviewed on PCRead full review - With how beautifully rendered and styled the ocean floor and even the technology in Under the Waves is, gamers might be taken aback by the way that Stan almost appears crude by comparison. This is one of the few flaws with the game, but considering Stan is the main protagonist and as such can be seen in a vast portion of the game, his facial expressions and body language can make for a large part of the emotional impact of the game.
Camrin Santchi · Sep 17, 2023 Reviewed on PCRead full review - Under the Waves is an impressive first game from Parallel Studio that tells an emotionally charged story of protagonist Stan overcoming his grief. The writing and performances are quality stuff, and while the gameplay doesn't feature any notable mechanics, it is a surprisingly solid experience that's worth playing through to the end.
Usaid · Sep 11, 2023 Reviewed on PS5Read full review - The soundtrack is excellent and perfectly complements your lonely swimming, the atmosphere is thick, and the occasionally wondrous moments are suitably awesome, in the literal sense. While you spend most of your time swimming alone in the grim dark of the sea, the moments where you find a sunken wreck or a friendly octopus act as a kind of catharsis, and always feel special.
John Cal McCormick · Sep 10, 2023 Reviewed on PS5Read full review - While Under The Waves has good intentions and well-thought-out ideas, it’s a disappointment. There are moments when it's beautiful and charming, striking you with its own visual style and excellent music and asking you to swim more miles to see what you can find. But this effect can’t stand on its own for long, and the result is an experience filled with the dumps and vices that it tries to fight against.
Axel Nicolás Bosso · Sep 09, 2023 Reviewed on PS5Read full review - Under the Waves is one of those games that you have to complain about, but overall you still like it. First of all, the game takes not so much the plot or gameplay as the atmosphere. Lamp retro futurism, stunningly beautiful water depths, excellent simulation of marine life, Stan's beautiful nightmares (no matter how strange it may sound) - and all this is accompanied by well-chosen music. The audio-visual series is on top, and thanks to him you forgive the game a lot. If you like nautical themes or just meditative projects where you don't have to rush and kill someone, take note of Under the Waves.
Brau3er · Sep 07, 2023 Reviewed on PCRead full review - Under the Waves delivers an incredibly emotional story about grief and its ability to manifest in the realities of those who attempt to evade it. While the title's main narrative is powerfully effective, its secondary focus on environmentalism, fueled by a real-world partnership, diminishes the overall impact of the experience. Though its close-up visuals and optional objectives are marred by technical issues, the core of Under the Waves' gameplay is enough to keep players engaged in its mandatory tasks. The story of Stan is one many fans will resonate with, as it captures the difficult thoughts that accompany grief. Unfortunately, Under the Waves doesn't quite deliver a gaming experience deserving of such meaningful concepts.
BRIE HOBAN · Sep 06, 2023 Reviewed on PS5Read full review
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About the game
Trailers & Screenshots:
Under The Waves is a narrative-driven adventure game about the engulfing power of grief. Set in the depths of the North Sea in a techno-futuristic 1970s, professional diver Stan is struggling to overcome a life-changing loss and embrace a new future. The isolation of the deep sea is a fitting manifestation of his state of mind, and as Stan retreads further into his self-imposed solitude, he starts to experience strange events far beneath the waves. He will eventually have to make a difficult choice...
A love letter to the oceans, Under The Waves invites you to dive into a gorgeous underwater world, brought to life in a poetic blend of cinematic visuals and poignant storytelling. Live a gripping story through Stan’s eyes and guide him through an unforeseen series of events that will bring him deeper and deeper into the abyss, the reflection of his own psyche.
Wander the vast seabed piloting Stan’s submarine and encounter the beautiful wildlife, Stan’s only company while he’s trapped in his own mind. Explore caves, wrecks, and underwater plants with Stan’s special wetsuit, following the mysterious manifestations of his memories, to find a way back to the surface and save his life. Collect materials and craft equipment that will help Stan navigate further on this self-discovery expedition. You will have to dare get off the beaten track to experience mesmerizing moments and reveal more about the tragic past he is trying to escape...
Developer: Parallel Studio