Under the Waves

73%
Game Brain Score Based on 437 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Under the Waves Game Cover
Under the Waves on Xbox Series X is a beautifully moving and haunting game
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"Under the Waves" is a narrative-driven adventure game set in the North Sea's depths, where professional diver Stan deals with grief while exploring a techno-futuristic 1970s underwater world. The game features stunning cinematic visuals, poignant storytelling, and an immersive atmosphere, as players guide Stan through a series of events that will challenge him to confront his inner turmoil while discovering the mysteries of the deep sea.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

73%
Audience ScoreBased on 437 reviews
story147 positive mentions
grinding20 negative mentions
  • The game features stunning graphics and a beautifully crafted underwater environment that immerses players in the experience.
  • The emotional storyline effectively explores themes of grief and loss, resonating with players on a personal level.
  • The voice acting and sound design are exceptional, enhancing the overall atmosphere and engagement with the narrative.
  • The gameplay can feel slow and repetitive, with many tasks being mundane and lacking challenge.
  • There are technical issues, including crashes and bugs that can disrupt the experience and lead to lost progress.
  • Facial animations and lip-syncing are poorly executed, detracting from the emotional impact of the story.
  • story442 mentions

    The story of "Under the Waves" is a poignant exploration of grief and loss, centered around the character Stan as he navigates his emotional turmoil in a beautifully rendered underwater environment. While the narrative is praised for its emotional depth and atmosphere, some players find it predictable and overly linear, with pacing issues that detract from engagement. Overall, the game is recognized for its touching storytelling, though opinions vary on its execution and the balance between narrative and gameplay.

    • “The story is beautiful but sad.”
    • “It's a calm, sad, dark, heartbreaking and beautiful story about loss and grief.”
    • “Under the waves captivates players with its gripping storytelling, cinematic visuals, and an enchanting soundtrack.”
    • “The storyline, which was quite clear in the beginning, is suddenly full of flashbacks and the character's sleep hallucinations and is not clear any longer.”
    • “The big deal breaker, considering it's barely more than a walking sim, is that the story is weak and the characters aren't written well enough to make you care, and none of it is fleshed out enough to do so even if it were decently written.”
    • “What started out as a captivating story turned into a slow, shallow, very predictable and largely unoriginal mess.”
  • graphics123 mentions

    The graphics in the game are generally praised for their stunning underwater visuals and atmospheric design, effectively immersing players in the oceanic environment. However, some users noted issues with character models and graphical glitches, as well as a lack of customizable settings that detracted from the overall experience. While the art style is appreciated, the presence of film grain and other effects received criticism for negatively impacting visual clarity.

    • “Under the waves is an impressive game that captivates not only with its stunning graphics and engaging storyline but also with its deeper message.”
    • “The underwater environment is beautifully rendered, with stunning graphics that bring the ocean's mysteries to life.”
    • “Brilliant game, the story makes you feel the emotions of Stan and the situation he is in, the graphics are breathtaking in my opinion making you truly feel like you are in the 'deep blue' as Stan likes to call it.”
    • “The main character and most fish/mammals, however, look quite neglected graphically (check that blue whale out, it almost looks like they're smiling at you).”
    • “No resolution to the plot; most of the game you are looking around for stuff, graphics and movement are underwhelming.”
    • “Even if it has a good story, it's unacceptable in 2023 to have so little control over graphics options to not be able to disable all these things.”
  • gameplay107 mentions

    The gameplay of "Under the Waves" is characterized by a slow-paced, exploration-focused experience that often feels repetitive and clunky, particularly with its submarine controls and navigation mechanics. While the game incorporates crafting and various tasks, many players find the gameplay lacks depth and challenge, leading to a sense of tedium over time. Despite its beautiful visuals and emotional storytelling, the gameplay mechanics are generally viewed as mediocre, with some players appreciating the meditative quality while others criticize it for being overly simplistic and unengaging.

    • “The gameplay and plot keep me engaged and craving for more despite having little time to play.”
    • “The combination of a well-crafted storyline, atmospheric environment, and diverse gameplay elements makes it a standout choice for anyone seeking a gaming experience that transcends the ordinary.”
    • “Crafting mechanics add depth to the gameplay, allowing you to assemble essential items through discovered blueprints and gathered materials during your exploration.”
    • “The main game mechanic, which is the transportation aboard the 'moon' submarine, is very clunky and it shows noticeable problems in later parts of the game when navigating in close spaces with the camera going crazy on you.”
    • “However, I must be honest and say that the gameplay is extremely slow and honestly quite boring at times, which is a shame to say because the developers did such a good job graphically; storytelling, animations, and scenery were phenomenal.”
    • “The gameplay does get very repetitive and it is by far the worst part of the game.”
  • emotional79 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Under the Waves" is characterized by its deep exploration of themes such as loss, grief, and self-discovery, often resonating strongly with players. While many appreciate the heartfelt storytelling and immersive atmosphere, some critiques highlight issues with pacing, character development, and execution that can detract from the intended emotional impact. Overall, the game is seen as a poignant narrative experience, though its heavy-handedness and occasional jarring moments may limit its emotional resonance for some players.

    • “It's a calm, sad, dark, heartbreaking, and beautiful story about loss and grief.”
    • “The emotional journeys of the characters, combined with the immersive underwater world, create a powerful experience that prompts players to reflect on important issues.”
    • “Under the Waves is an emotionally charged narrative-driven game that dives deep into complex themes of loss, grief, and self-discovery.”
    • “The game has a good base, but unfortunately, it is heavily bogged down by a boring story about a father and his daughter.”
    • “The emotional aspect feels forced and lacks genuine depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “While the game aims for an emotional impact, it often falls flat, leaving players feeling disconnected from the narrative.”
  • music61 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful and immersive quality, blending ambient sounds with alternative rock to create a captivating atmosphere that enhances the emotional storytelling. Many players find the soundtrack to be a standout feature, describing it as soothing and memorable, although some have noted issues with abrupt cuts and volume levels. Overall, the music significantly contributes to the game's appeal, making it a memorable experience for players.

    • “With the addition of one of the best game soundtracks I've ever heard, it's truly a masterpiece.”
    • “The music plays in quite nicely into that too, creating a relaxing atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience.”
    • “Under the Waves captivates players with its gripping storytelling, cinematic visuals, and an enchanting soundtrack.”
    • “Ambient music sometimes suddenly cuts out before scene transitions.”
    • “Try to reduce music sound in settings since most of the time when it plays you can't properly hear other stuff.”
    • “Second issue for me was constant playing and stopping music when you enter a new area.”
  • atmosphere46 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and emotional depth, effectively capturing the beauty and isolation of the oceanic environment. Players appreciate the combination of stunning visuals, evocative music, and a compelling narrative that enhances the overall experience, making it a standout choice for those who enjoy atmospheric storytelling. While some find the gameplay lacking, the strong sense of atmosphere and emotional resonance keeps many engaged and invested in the journey.

    • “Incredible game: the authors manage to keep the game very atmospheric at all times, be it a relaxing cruise through the oceanic depths or an action horror scene with palpable emotion of fear in the air.”
    • “Tons of atmosphere and great sound design makes it a very moody and immersive experience.”
    • “Under the Waves is a well-made narrative-driven game; it has a good story, beautiful art style, and an atmosphere that can easily get you immersed in it.”
    • “It barely gets a positive rating from me because it feels like the developers were genuinely passionate about the story they wanted to tell and the game can occasionally have a really ominous atmosphere, but I desperately wanted this game to be more fun to play.”
    • “I'm very sensitive in this regard and since the voice acting is so strong and the character's face quite expressive, this partially destroys the atmosphere and immersion.”
    • “The only issue was a few UE4 crashes which unfortunately interrupted the atmosphere that was set up so well.”
  • grinding20 mentions

    The reviews highlight a significant issue with grinding in the game, describing it as slow and tedious, particularly in terms of character animations, dialogue, and traversal mechanics. While some players appreciate the atmosphere and story, many find the gameplay bogged down by repetitive tasks and cumbersome controls, leading to a frustrating experience that detracts from overall enjoyment. Despite some positive elements, the consensus leans towards the grinding aspects being a major drawback.

    • “The character animation doing just about anything is slow, which makes standing, sitting, and boarding your ship very tedious.”
    • “I should have paid attention to the other reviews: terrible controls, cramped environments, tedious gameplay.”
    • “I was excited for a creepy undersea story, and instead I got a boring, tedious to control, sob story about a dead girl.”
  • stability10 mentions

    The game's stability is marred by various glitches, crashes, and graphical issues, including black screen freezes and clunky animations. While it runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck, players frequently encounter bugs that disrupt gameplay and achievements, making the experience inconsistent. Despite these problems, some users still find enjoyment in the game, particularly in its underwater environments.

    • “It runs great on Steam Deck; at first I wasn't sure, but it turns out it was more of a connection issue. It actually runs perfectly.”
    • “The game maintains a steady frame rate, providing a smooth experience even during intense moments.”
    • “I've had no crashes or bugs, which really enhances the overall enjoyment of the game.”
    • “And there are glitches and crashes.”
    • “Glitches both in gameplay and in achievements make this one a hard pass.”
    • “There are also black screen freezes which do the same.”
  • optimization10 mentions

    Overall, optimization feedback is mixed; while some players report excellent performance and graphics on high-end systems, others experience issues such as stuttering and a lack of graphical options. Some games start well but encounter problems after a few hours, leading to frustration. Despite these concerns, many users appreciate the game's visuals and performance when running on powerful hardware.

    • “Graphics and performance are great.”
    • “The graphics are amazing and it's very well optimized with my 4090.”
    • “The optimization is very good though I have a 4090 kit.”
    • “The game seems to suffer from some optimization issues.”
    • “The setting is the star of the show, but the performance of the main character is lacking; sadly, his animations do not match up.”
    • “Performance and bugs are a significant concern.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is considered limited due to its linear story and lack of varied gameplay, receiving a low rating of 2/5. However, many players still find the immersive and story-driven experience worthwhile, even if they may not return for multiple playthroughs.

    • “Although there are areas where the gameplay could be more varied, the replayability is still enjoyable.”
    • “Limited replayability and a linear story, but as long as you're in for an immersive and story-driven experience, then I think this game is worth it.”
    • “The experience is still worth it, even if the replay value isn't the strongest aspect.”
    • “Although there are areas where the gameplay could be more varied and replayability could be improved.”
    • “Limited replayability and linear story, but as long as you're in for an immersive and story-driven experience, then I think this game is apt.”
    • “Replayability (2/5):”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development is highlighted as a strong point, providing emotional depth that enhances the overall experience, even if the plot is predictable. Players appreciate the unique approach to character growth, which unfolds gradually, revealing the main character's backstory in an engaging manner.

    • “While the plot can be somewhat predictable, the emotional depth and character development more than make up for it.”
    • “Engaging character development”
    • “The character development happens while you 'sleep', where you find out about the main character's backstory.”
    • “The characters feel one-dimensional and lack meaningful growth throughout the game.”
    • “I was disappointed by the lack of choices that impact character development; it felt very linear.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players enjoying quirky interactions like making faces in the mirror and engaging in playful activities such as playing guitar and punching a bag. However, some graphical glitches and awkward mouth animations detract slightly from the overall comedic experience.

    • “You can play the guitar, punch a punching bag, take pictures, and it's funny that you can make faces in the mirror.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Many users express frustration with deceptive monetization practices in games, such as misleading descriptions that downplay the necessity of paid modifications or fail to clarify multiplayer-only formats in previously single-player franchises. Additionally, there are complaints about games that start strong but quickly become unplayable or boring, leaving players feeling trapped without the option for refunds.

    • “Many games deceive the buyer; for example, in soulslike games, it claims to be an adventure but is impossible to complete without paid modifications. In co-op modes, it doesn't mention that it's only co-op in a franchise that previously had a single-player campaign. The game often feels like a boring hack job with flashy advertising, or it pushes an agenda instead of providing a normal plot with relatable characters. Initially, the game may seem easy or well-optimized for the first two hours, but then problems arise, and you can't return the game.”
    • “The monetization strategy is frustrating, as it feels like the game is designed to push players towards spending more money rather than enjoying the experience. It's disappointing when a game that could be great is marred by aggressive microtransactions.”
    • “I was really excited about this game, but the constant prompts to buy in-game currency and items ruined the experience. It feels like the developers care more about making money than creating a fun and engaging game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

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Play time

10hMedian play time
9hAverage play time
7-14hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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