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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8.9 / 10.0
Sep 5, 2023

Under The Waves is an incredible journey of memories. Developed by Parallel Studio and Quantic Dream, the work combines the environmental theme with a moving and engaging story, also strong in a well-implemented play structure. Must have absolutely.

Review in Italian | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Sep 4, 2023

Under the Waves offers a unique experience, masterfully combining fascinating underwater exploration with an emotional story

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8 / 10.0
Aug 29, 2023

The emerging narrative of Under the Waves will accompany you while you are underwater and then will make you return the desire to embrace the surface again: Stan is a man who hides his past, he wanted to bury it, but he has to deal with it, especially at night.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Gameblog
MiliusZer0
Top Critic
8 / 10
Sep 16, 2023

Under The Waves provokes emotions, it makes you cry, shiver, clench your fists and above all, it makes you think. Far from a moralizing speech, he learns. Learn to love the ocean, the beauty it represents but also the strength hidden there. Under the Waves is touching with such human characters, with weaknesses and many doubts. A poignant story that is not wrapped in embellishments to deliver 7 completely captivating hours.

Review in French | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Sep 7, 2023

There are three types of people. The living, the dead, and those at sea. Under The Waves is a non-standard philosophical game where you think about this statement. It mainly focuses on the effect from the emotional experience.

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8 / 10.0
Sep 10, 2023

Under the waves is a one time experience that despite all its weaknesses, could potentially entertain you for a few hours and deliver an unique experience at the end of the day. but don't expect anything revelutionary or ground breaking.

Review in Persian | Read full review

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

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

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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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
Sep 5, 2023

Under the Waves tells a powerful story that will resonate with many, and also offers a beautiful under water environment to explore. Despite some repetitive mission structures, an occasional annoying camera, and some underutilised gameplay features, Under the Waves is an experience that narrative-driven fans will truly enjoy diving into.

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78 / 100
Aug 29, 2023

Melancholic underwater adventure with story focus and goosebump atmosphere.

Review in German | 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

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

74 / 100
Sep 25, 2023

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.

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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

70 / 100
Sep 4, 2023

It lacks a good polish (in the form of a patch) to correct the technical problems, but if you like games that give a lot of importance to exploration and are not afraid to navigate a gigantic underwater level, Under the Waves is a hidden treasure in the depths.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

7 / 10
Sep 11, 2023

A story about loneliness and grief, set in a retro-futuristic 1970s and told from the perspective of a deepsea diver, which is less interested in action than creating the right atmosphere.

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7 / 10
Sep 19, 2023

It's not perfect but it is unique and it's a joy to explore the depths of the north sea in your cute little submarine.

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