Under the Waves Reviews

Under the Waves is ranked in the 48th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
9 / 10.0
Aug 29, 2023

Under the Waves is a fantastic game that uses the vastness of the ocean to craft wonder and solitude, moving you from avid adventurer to sad man in a way that feels dynamic and intimate no matter the task you’re completing.

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7.5 / 10.0
Sep 21, 2023

We came to the end of Under The Waves with mixed feelings, to say the least. We thoroughly enjoyed the masterfully crafted environments created by Quantic and Parallel; exploring the ocean was fascinating, among large whales, tiny turtles and huge schools of fish, all accompanied and enhanced by some tense and eerie moments that really kept us in suspense. Too bad these sequences end too soon, which left us a little bitter in the mouth. More effort could definitely have been made that would have further benefited a narrative that was sii good but felt a bit feeble on more than one occasion. Not to mention the poor care in Sam's facial animations in some key scenes that fail to convey well the messages and emotions that developer, publisher and the nonprofit association involved in the project (which makes its full “weight” felt with messages and information about the same during the playthrough), would have wanted to convey. Of course at a price of €29.99 one cannot have everything, and we settle for an inspired, emotionally strong product that really leaves its mark

Review in Italian | Read full review

7.1 / 10.0
Sep 14, 2023

Under the Waves is not the best product linked to Quantic Dream, but the independent French studio that created the title (Parallel Studio) has shown that it wants to commit to a game that is not banal, both for its references to reality and for its depth. artistic which will only improve with time.

Review in Italian | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Jun 19, 2024

Under the Waves is a worthy effort and will "speak" to those who love a good story, earning extra points for the acting. The gameplay doesn't attempt anything new and relies heavily on the environment and exploration, which is handled well with the exception of how quickly the oxygen runs out and some minor issues in the technical area

Review in Greek | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Oct 5, 2023

I initially approached Under the Waves with the intention of conquering a fear I’ve harbored since childhood. Instead, I found myself confronting parts of myself that I hid not only from others but also from myself. It was one of the most discomforting experiences I’ve ever had playing a game, but it’s an experience I know will stay with me for years to come.

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Oct 17, 2023

Under the Waves manages, despite its flaws and some routine and predictable occupation service, to leave a great impression when it moves on to moments of exploration that thicken the mystery. Perhaps it will be overtaken by other narratives and different models of interaction. But much of what it proposes is appealing and also for those who play it provides that feeling of isolation. It generates sensations and that's also what is asked of a game with a strong narrative and cinematic component.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

70%
Oct 2, 2023

Under the Waves is a slow and steady title with a gripping atmosphere and beautiful underwater world, but by the end, you might get sick of it.

Review in Slovak | Read full review

7 / 10.0
Sep 19, 2023

Rather simple in its conception, Under The Waves immerses the player in a narrative dealing with several subjects. The atmosphere and the way the story is told are undoubtedly the strengths of this game developed by the Parallel Studio team. Nevertheless, loading times, the pace of certain phases and technical problems detract from the overall experience. Still, the game should appeal to players looking for an immersive narrative experience.

Review in French | Read full review

6.5 / 10.0
Sep 14, 2023

Under the Waves tells a solid tale of grief that is at its best when it focuses on environmentalism and technical issues and lack of polish hinder the unique experience of the deep sea.

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8 / 10.0
Sep 11, 2023

In "Under the Waves" we didn't find the graphics of Detroit Become Human or the plot that Heavy Rain develops, but I found a more solid and engaging experience as a whole. By simplifying some elements and refining others, we are faced with a solid narrative that will captivate players and easily allow us to join the character's struggle... on a personal or professional level. The developer's bet on teaming up with an organization with "on-site" knowledge of the reality and difficulties our oceans face, was a successful bet and one that we see as an example for other publishers to follow.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Sep 8, 2023

Under the Waves is a strong start for Spotlight, Quantic Dream’s new publishing label. It carefully manages several deep, meaningful and important themes, while allowing us to explore a vast ocean to wave at seals, pick up trash and take photos of sharks. Some build instability, repetition and mechanical frustrations aside, this is a very well told story with a wonderful sense of pace, a surprising amount of atmosphere, complete with a series of enjoyable activities that also manage to bring a sense of calm and relaxation.

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Sep 7, 2023

While far from shallow, Under the Waves doesn’t quite reach the depths that it could have. Its ambient score, gorgeous stylised visuals and emphasis on tackling issues such as mental wellbeing, ocean conservation and how we deal with grief illustrate just how much love has been put into the game. However, some of its more striking moments quickly come undone as a result of a lacklustre protagonist, whose monotone line delivery and poor lip-syncing can break you out of the seafaring spell, as well as the occasional bug. Nonetheless, despite Stan and some technical hiccups here and there, Under the Waves shines when you are roaming around the ocean, taking photos of the various ecosystems and cleaning up the environment to later put to use for crafting materials. Spending your days exploring the ocean may seem like a quiet task, and it is, but it is a meditative one that you should allow to wash over you.

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8 / 10
Sep 7, 2023

Gosh, I was looking forward to this game! The gloomy presentation, along with the narrative approach in the depths of the sea already excited me at the announcement. Fortunately, there is still plenty of enthusiasm left for the release. Because in its narrative and writing, I'm happy to let Under the Waves capture me and throw me into an emotionally gripping game. Indeed, that grabs you just as much as exploring the underwater world that seems so alien. The only annoying thing is the stiff submarine controls and the heavy tearing in the main menu. This has already been fixed on the PC, but console players will have to be patient. Under the Waves is a moving excursion into the depths, including those of the main character Stan. Dealing with the past, loss and loneliness, as well as dealing with the environment, are skillfully spun into a virtual journey wrapped in exploration. Absolutely recommended purchase!

Review in German | Read full review

Unscored
Sep 4, 2023

Under the Waves offers us an unparalleled underwater experience with a great emotional charge that constantly invites us to get lost and enjoy that great ecosystem that is the seabed while we discover the ins and outs of Stan's past, the protagonist. An adventure that, although it can easily take us 6-7 hours to complete, constantly invites us to savor and savor it by getting lost and exploring new places, since there will always be something to see and some reward to collect. A game that, personally, I recommend playing without rushing, dim light and headphones, since its wonderful atmosphere and soundtrack will make us live wonderful moments while we soak up the emotional charge that the story of its characters has. A highly recommended game whose only Achilles heel lies in the fact that it has come to us with voices in English, its lack of V-Sync and that it is not suitable for adrenaline lovers.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

INVEN
Top Critic
7.5 / 10.0
Sep 4, 2023

It is impressive that the game combines the exploration of the meticulously crafted underwater world with a message of environmental protection. But, it's a bit disappointing that the main story was not easy to immerse due to bugs scattered everywhere, even though it is the core content of this game.

Review in Korean | Read full review