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Under The Waves

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Under The Waves
Item: Under The Waves
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2023

GenresAdventure, Indie, Third Person Perspective, Simulation, Single Player

AvailableAug 28, 2023

PlatformPlayStation 5, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, PC

DeveloperParallel Studio

Overview

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. Stuck between life and death, Stan will have to make the most significant choice of his existence.

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Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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TL;DR

Critics praise Under The Waves for its exploration of themes like grief and environmentalism, with engaging plot and genuine character interactions. Some criticize messaging and genre shifts, but overall, the game delivers an emotionally impactful and thought-provoking story that resonates with players.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

69%

Mixed (50-79)

28%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Under The Waves are generally positive. Many critics praise the game for its exploration of themes such as grief, loss, and environmentalism. Finger Guns describes the narrative as having poetic imagery and impactful set pieces, making the journey worthwhile. GGRecon and Game Rant both highlight the game's exploration of grief and the impact of corporations on the environment. Gameblog.fr commends the heartfelt and genuine dialogue between the characters, which quickly draws the player in and creates attachment. TierraGamer states that the story is the strongest aspect of the game, presenting an interesting analysis of loneliness and loss. However, there are also some negative aspects mentioned by the critics. GamesRadar+ mentions that the game struggles with messaging and genre shifts, which may affect the overall cohesiveness of the story. TheGamer criticizes the lack of focus and poor execution of some of the game's ideas, particularly regarding the protagonist's motivations for working for an oil conglomerate. COGconnected notes that the delivery of the themes can be heavy-handed at times, potentially impacting the subtlety of the storytelling. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Under The Waves delivers an emotionally impactful and thought-provoking story. The narrative effectively explores themes of grief, loss, and environmental destruction, resonating with the players. Critics such as Guardian and Impulsegamer highlight the game's ability to convey the emotional weight of the protagonist's journey. While there are some criticisms regarding messaging and execution, the positive aspects of the story, such as the engaging plot and genuine character interactions, outweigh the negatives. The general sentiment is that Under The Waves offers a compelling and immersive narrative experience.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Gameplay Mechanics

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TL;DR

Critics praise Under The Waves for its immersive underwater exploration and enjoyable gameplay mechanics, including meditative experiences and engaging daily tasks. However, some critics note issues with navigation and repetitive tasks that could be improved. Overall, the game offers a mix of exploration, survival elements, and narrative content, providing players with a relaxing and solitary experience despite its shortcomings.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

88%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Under The Waves are generally positive. Many critics highlight the enjoyable aspects of exploration and underwater mechanics. Finger Guns praises the gameplay for providing a meditative experience and scratching the checklist itch of open-world games. Gameblog.fr describes the gameplay as minimalistic and intuitive, with straightforward crafting mechanics and forgiving item finding. Gamereactor UK mentions the variety of tasks and the use of a submarine adding to the experience. TierraGamer also appreciates the simple and engaging gameplay cycle, with varied objectives keeping the player entertained. These positive aspects of the gameplay contribute to creating an immersive and enjoyable experience for players. However, there are some negative aspects of the gameplay that critics point out. Several critics mention issues with navigation and lack of explanations for certain actions. Gameblog.fr highlights these issues, which can lead to frustration for players. IGN France describes the gameplay as classic but sometimes frustrating, with disappointing exploration. Metro GameCentral mentions slightly clumsy controls and a crafting system that can feel inessential. These criticisms suggest that there are areas where the gameplay could be improved to enhance the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of Under The Waves offers a mix of exploration, survival mechanics, and narrative elements. Critics appreciate the freedom and control given to players, as well as the engaging daily activities and missions. The gameplay provides a relaxing and solitary experience, capturing the loneliness of life under the waves. However, there are areas where the gameplay falls short, such as clunky mechanics, repetitive tasks, and lack of clarity in navigation and objectives. Despite these shortcomings, the positive aspects of the gameplay, such as the immersive underwater exploration and intuitive mechanics, outweigh the negatives, making Under The Waves an enjoyable experience for players who appreciate a meditative and open-world gameplay style.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Graphics and Visual Design

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TL;DR

Critics rave about Under The Waves' stunning underwater visuals, praising the detailed environments and marine life. The mix of realism and cartoon aesthetics creates a captivating atmosphere, though technical issues like screen tearing and rough character models are noted. Overall, the game's graphics impress with beautiful lighting and unique design choices, despite some minor flaws affecting the visual experience.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

69%

Mixed (50-79)

31%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Under The Waves are generally positive. Many critics praise the game for its stunning and beautiful underwater environments. Finger Guns describes the environments as "incredible" with "beautiful and distinct seamounts, caverns, and wildlife." Game Rant also commends the game for boasting "some of the most beautiful underwater visuals that the medium has ever seen." The visuals effectively convey the emotions of the game, with Gameblog.fr noting that the mix of realism and cartoon aesthetics creates a contemplative and visually appealing underwater environment. The visuals are captivating, with detailed underwater environments and a variety of marine life to discover, as mentioned by The Games Machine. The retro-futuristic aesthetic, industrial presence, and contrast between the vibrant ocean and the murky depths are also highlighted by critics such as GamesRadar+ and Metro GameCentral. However, there are some negative aspects mentioned by the critics. GameSpew points out technical issues like screen tearing, which can detract from the overall visual experience. Guardian mentions technical imperfections such as broken map markers and uneven translation, which can affect the immersion. VGC highlights rough character models and low-quality lip-syncing, which breaks the immersion and hinders the visual experience. Jeuxvideo.com also mentions the lack of technical polish and high-quality textures, which can impact the overall visual quality of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Under The Waves has visually stunning graphics and visual design, particularly in its underwater environments. The game successfully creates an immersive and atmospheric underwater environment, with beautiful lighting, distinct ambience, and attention to detail. The unique mix of realism and cartoon aesthetics, as well as the retro-futuristic aesthetic, adds to the visual appeal. However, there are some technical issues and lack of polish mentioned by certain critics, which can detract from the overall visual experience. Despite these minor flaws, the majority of critics agree that the graphics and visual design of Under The Waves are visually pleasing and contribute to the overall atmosphere and immersion of the game.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Music and Sound Design

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TL;DR

Critics raved about the immersive sound design and music of Under The Waves, praising the zen-like synth drones, enchanting whale songs, and tension-building proggy soundtrack. While some noted issues like unfitting music and flat voice acting, the majority agreed that the sound design enhanced the overall experience. Ultimately, Under The Waves' sound design and music received high praise for creating a captivating and immersive atmosphere.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

85%

Mixed (50-79)

15%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The majority of the critics praised the sound design and music of Under The Waves, considering it to be very good. They appreciated how the music and sound effects contributed to the overall atmosphere and immersion of the game. Finger Guns noted that the music reinforced the atmosphere with zen-like synth drones and gentle piano passages, while Gameblog.fr described the soundtrack and sound effects as enchanting and captivating, with compositions and mesmerizing whale songs that added to the immersive experience. Guardian also highlighted the outstanding proggy soundtrack that created a sense of tension and awe. The Games Machine mentioned the serene and immersive atmosphere created by the sound design, with soothing whale songs and crashing waves. TierraGamer praised the pleasant and fitting soundtrack that enhanced the underwater exploration experience, with music changing according to the occasion. However, there were a few criticisms regarding the sound design and music. Finger Guns mentioned that some music didn't always fit the emotional beats and there were occasional abrupt halts. GamingBolt pointed out audio and video sync issues, while Multiplayer.it found the soundtrack occasionally too intrusive and the voice acting flat and lacking empathy, although it improved with a launch update. TheGamer mentioned that while the music was excellent and enhanced the sensation of discovery, the voice acting and protagonist's cheesy one-liners detracted from the overall sound design. TheSixthAxis noted that while the dialogue and voice acting were particularly good, some facial animations were poor. In conclusion, the overall consensus among the critics is that the sound design and music of Under The Waves were very good. The majority of the critics praised the immersive atmosphere created by the sound design, the fitting and captivating soundtrack, and the enhancement of the overall experience. Critics such as Gameblog.fr, The Games Machine, and TierraGamer specifically highlighted the wonderful soundtrack that added to the immersive atmosphere. While there were some criticisms regarding the fitting of music to emotional beats, audio and video sync issues, and occasionally flat voice acting, these were outweighed by the positive opinions of the majority of the critics. Overall, the sound design and music of Under The Waves were well-received and contributed positively to the overall experience of the game.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Voice Acting

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TL;DR

Summary: Critics have mixed opinions on the voice acting in Under The Waves. While some praise the protagonist's strong performance and emotional depth, others criticize the wooden delivery and lack of empathy. Positive feedback highlights the banter and French voice performances, while negative comments point out distracting lip-syncing and flat line delivery. Overall, the voice acting has strengths but also weaknesses, with varying perspectives among critics.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

63%

Mixed (50-79)

32%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in Under The Waves are varied, with some praising certain aspects while others have more negative feedback. Several critics, such as GamesRadar+ and Impulsegamer, highlight the strong performance by the protagonist, with Ben Lambert delivering a consistent anchor of humanity and adding to the immersion and emotional depth of the game. The voice actors, according to GamingBolt, do a great job, with the protagonist's voice showing crackling and exhaustion that adds to the overall tone. Additionally, GamePro Germany mentions the sarcastic and bantering conversations between the protagonist and his brother, which adds a layer of realism and character development to the game. On the other hand, there are critics who express negative opinions about the voice acting in Under The Waves. Finger Guns and GGRecon both criticize the wooden and monotone line delivery of the protagonist, which detracts from the overall experience. Metro GameCentral, while praising the minimalistic dialogue, mentions that it creates emotionally resonant characters, but it does not specifically comment on the voice acting itself. Multiplayer.it also criticizes the voice acting, describing it as often flat and lacking empathy, which hinders the emotional connection with the protagonist. VGC adds that the dramatic pauses and mismatched lip-syncing in the voice acting are distracting. Overall, there is a mixed consensus among the critics regarding the voice acting in Under The Waves. While some critics, like GamesRadar+ and Impulsegamer, praise the voice acting and its contribution to the immersion and emotional depth of the story, others, such as Finger Guns and GGRecon, criticize the wooden delivery and lack of variety. The opinions of GamePro Germany and Jeuxvideo.com, who highlight the banter and excellent French voice performances respectively, add to the overall positive sentiment. However, the negative feedback from critics like Multiplayer.it and VGC regarding the lack of empathy and distracting lip-syncing cannot be ignored. Ultimately, it seems that the voice acting in Under The Waves has its strengths and weaknesses, with some critics finding it excellent and others feeling it falls short in certain areas.

TL;DR

voice acting

Technical Performance

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TL;DR

Critics found numerous technical issues plaguing Under The Waves on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, including screen-tearing, crashes, unsynced mouth movements, clipping assets, broken map markers, glitches, and lost progress. Some noted minor bugs while others found these issues frustrating and impacting gameplay enjoyment. However, a patch improved the situation for some, with a few critics mentioning the game running decently overall.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

83%

Negative (0-49)

17%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the Technical Performance on the PS5, several critics noted various issues with Under The Waves. Finger Guns mentioned screen-tearing, hard crashes, and unsynced mouth movements during cutscenes, while Game Rant highlighted animations causing assets to clip or disappear during close-quarters sequences. GameSpew and Guardian also mentioned screen tearing and save failures, with Guardian further noting broken map markers, uneven translation, and fatal errors. These technical imperfections, along with crashes and restarts resulting in lost progress, were mentioned by Guardian and GamesRadar+. Push Square and Screen Rant also pointed out glitches, disappearing quest markers, error messages, and crashes affecting the fluidity of the experience. However, The Games Machine stated that the game runs well overall, with only a small bug mentioned that can be fixed in a future patch. On the Xbox Series X, Impulsegamer mentioned encountering some bugs, but they did not significantly detract from the overall experience. Jeuxvideo.com also noted occasional slow and painful progression but still found the visual experience decent. For the PC platform, COGconnected and TRG both mentioned the presence of bugs and technical issues in the game. Jeuxvideo.com also highlighted occasional slow and painful progression on PC. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Under The Waves suffers from various technical issues across all gaming platforms. These issues include screen-tearing, crashes, unsynced mouth movements, clipping assets, broken map markers, uneven translation, fatal errors, glitches, disappearing quest markers, error messages, and lost progress. While some critics, like Finger Guns and Game Rant, mentioned minor annoyances and occasional bugs, others, such as GamesRadar+ and TierraGamer, emphasized that these technical problems can be frustrating and impact the overall enjoyment of the game. However, Multiplayer.it did mention that the situation improved after a patch was released. Despite the technical limitations, some critics, like The Games Machine and Impulsegamer, found the game to run well overall or not significantly detract from the experience.

TL;DR

technical performance

Replay Value

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TL;DR

Critics are split on the replay value of Under The Waves. Some praise its exploration and collectibles, while others find the gameplay lacking in hooks. While there are incentives for replayability, concerns about essential rewards and limited crafting may restrict its appeal to a niche audience.

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

73%

Negative (0-49)

20%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Under The Waves are quite varied. Some critics, such as GGRecon and TheSixthAxis, appreciate the freedom to explore and the immersive experience of finding and exploring collectibles and side missions. They believe that these elements provide incentives for replayability and extend the playtime. GamePro Germany also acknowledges the presence of collectibles, upgrades, and cosmetic items to find, but they express doubts about the game's significant replay value beyond experiencing the story. On the other hand, critics like GamingBolt and TierraGamer express concerns about the lack of compelling gameplay hooks or mechanics to support a longer playtime. They argue that the rewards for exploring additional areas or engaging in secondary activities don't feel essential or interesting enough to motivate replaying the game. The lack of interest in doing anything secondary after the first couple of hours, as mentioned by TheGamer, and the unnecessary crafting system, as noted by GamesRadar+, further contribute to the perception of limited replay value. Overall, the consensus among the critics seems to be that Under The Waves offers some elements that can extend the playtime and provide incentives for exploration and replayability. However, there are concerns about the lack of essential rewards, unrefined focus on environmental awareness, and limited crafting and action, which may limit the game's replay value. Critics like VGC and Impulsegamer mention the potential for replayability due to multiple endings and a unique and memorable experience, respectively. However, the opinions of critics like TRG and Vandal suggest that the limited crafting, linear story, and specific underwater setting and atmosphere may limit the game's replay value to a niche audience.

TL;DR

replay value

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

34%

Mixed (50-79)

64%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

Overall, the opinions of the critics regarding the Overall Verdict of Under The Waves are mixed but generally positive. The game is praised for its unique and impactful narrative, emotional storytelling, and immersive atmosphere. Critics such as Finger Guns, Gameblog.fr, and But Why Tho? highlight the game's strengths in storytelling, evoking emotions, and delivering a captivating experience. The game's visual design, beautiful graphics, and relaxing soundtrack are also commended by GamePro Germany and Gamereactor UK. The themes of grief and environmentalism are well-addressed, and the game successfully advocates for the defense of the oceans and marine creatures, as noted by SpazioGames and Impulsegamer. However, the game does have its share of negatives. Technical issues, including audio and video sync problems, are mentioned by GamingBolt, Push Square, and Screen Rant. Some critics, such as GGRecon and Multiplayer.it, point out lackluster protagonist and forced messaging as drawbacks. The gameplay is criticized for being simple, repetitive, and lacking innovation by GamePro Germany and Multiplayer.it. Slow-paced narrative and laborious tasks are mentioned by Jeuxvideo.com. These issues, along with some mechanical shortcomings and moments of awkward storytelling, as noted by Screen Rant and TheGamer, detract from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Under The Waves is a flawed but impactful game with a unique artistic direction and emotionally resonant storytelling. The game's strengths lie in its narrative-driven experience, atmospheric world, and immersive exploration. The game successfully tackles important themes such as grief and environmentalism, and its visual design and soundtrack contribute to the overall memorable experience. While technical issues and gameplay shortcomings are acknowledged, the game still manages to leave a lasting impression on players. The overall verdict is that Under The Waves is recommended for players who appreciate narrative-focused experiences and are willing to overlook its flaws.

TL;DR

Critics have mixed but generally positive opinions on Under The Waves. Praise for its unique narrative, emotional storytelling, and immersive atmosphere. Critics highlight strengths in storytelling, visuals, and themes of grief and environmentalism. However, technical issues, lackluster protagonist, and repetitive gameplay are drawbacks. Despite flaws, the game offers a memorable and impactful experience for players who enjoy narrative-driven games.

MONSTER

Reviews

62 reviews found

PC Games

Aug 29, 2023