Skip to content

Under The Waves

Parallel Studio · Aug 29, 2023

PC · PS5 · Series X|S · PS4 · Xbox One

Mature

About

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...

Trailers & screenshots

Scores by platform

PC

Critic 7.8 (13 critics) · Gamer 8.0

7.8

PlayStation 5

Critic 7.1 (24 critics) · Gamer 8.6

7.7

Xbox Series X|S

Critic 7.4 (7 critics) · Gamer 8.8

7.8

PlayStation 4

Critic 7.7 (5 critics) · Gamer 8.5

7.8

Xbox One

Critic 7.7 (5 critics) · Gamer 8.8

7.8

Critic reviews

  • VGChartz

    Lee Mehr · Oct 01, 2023

    6.0
    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.
  • PlayStation Universe

    ZAHID AHMED · Sep 28, 2023

    7.0
    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.
  • techradar

    Elie Gould · Sep 27, 2023

    8.0
    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.
  • COGconnected

    Mark Steighner · Sep 25, 2023

    7.4
    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.
  • HookedGamers

    Camrin Santchi · Sep 17, 2023

    8.7
    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.
  • Gaming Bolt

    Usaid · Sep 11, 2023

    7.0
    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.

See all critic reviews

Rate this game

Contains spoiler

to rate this game.