Under The Waves

Item: Under The Waves
Rating: 69
Author: VaporLens

Last updated: 2025-07-20

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Summary

Relaxing, immersive, narrative-driven underwater exploration
Compelling, emotional story with strong ecological message
Beautiful visuals and exceptional soundtrack
Repetitive and slow gameplay
Weak story and clunky controls
Frequent bugs and crashes

Emotions

Satisfaction20%Frustration13%Disappointment13%Enjoyment7%Appreciation5%

Reviews (sample size): 443
Helpful reviews: 84%
Unhelpful reviews: 16%
Protest reviews: 0%

69%
Helpful reviews with positive sentiment
31%
Helpful reviews with negative sentiment

Positive points: 1215
Negative points: 952
Gameplay points: 595
Perf. points: 54
Rec. points: 280
Misc points: 162

Point	Description	Importance
Relaxing and Immersive Experience Description Players consistently praise the game for its overall relaxing, immersive, and emotionally engaging experience. The atmosphere, visuals, and sound design contribute significantly to a unique and satisfying gameplay loop that is often described as a 'detox' from more intense games. Importance 100%	Players consistently praise the game for its overall relaxing, immersive, and emotionally engaging experience. The atmosphere, visuals, and sound design contribute significantly to a unique and satisfying gameplay loop that is often described as a 'detox' from more intense games.	100%
Compelling and Emotional Story Description The narrative is a major highlight, frequently described as deeply moving, captivating, and emotionally resonant. It effectively explores themes of loss, grief, and human connection, making the story a central and memorable aspect of the game. Importance 56%	The narrative is a major highlight, frequently described as deeply moving, captivating, and emotionally resonant. It effectively explores themes of loss, grief, and human connection, making the story a central and memorable aspect of the game.	56%
Strong Ecological and Social Message Description The game effectively integrates strong ecological and socio-economic messages into its narrative and gameplay. It raises awareness about ocean pollution, human impact on the environment, and corporate greed, prompting players to reflect on these important real-world issues. Importance 49%	The game effectively integrates strong ecological and socio-economic messages into its narrative and gameplay. It raises awareness about ocean pollution, human impact on the environment, and corporate greed, prompting players to reflect on these important real-world issues.	49%
Engaging Underwater Exploration Description The underwater exploration, both by submarine and diving, is highly enjoyable and immersive. Players appreciate the realistic feeling of movement, the well-designed seabed, and the overall sense of being in the ocean depths, making exploration a core satisfying element. Importance 47%	The underwater exploration, both by submarine and diving, is highly enjoyable and immersive. Players appreciate the realistic feeling of movement, the well-designed seabed, and the overall sense of being in the ocean depths, making exploration a core satisfying element.	47%
Beautiful Visuals and Art Style Description The game's visuals, art direction, and graphic style are consistently praised for their beauty and effectiveness in setting the mood. Despite not always being cutting-edge, the artistic choices create stunning environments and scenes that enhance immersion. Importance 28%	The game's visuals, art direction, and graphic style are consistently praised for their beauty and effectiveness in setting the mood. Despite not always being cutting-edge, the artistic choices create stunning environments and scenes that enhance immersion.	28%
Exceptional Soundtrack and Sound Design Description The soundtrack and overall sound design are frequently highlighted as outstanding. The music is described as beautiful, immersive, and perfectly complementing the game's atmosphere, significantly enhancing the player's emotional connection and experience. Importance 25%	The soundtrack and overall sound design are frequently highlighted as outstanding. The music is described as beautiful, immersive, and perfectly complementing the game's atmosphere, significantly enhancing the player's emotional connection and experience.	25%
Good Value and High Quality Description Many players feel the game offers excellent value for its price, considering it a well-made indie gem. Its unique concept, depth, and overall quality make it a worthwhile purchase, often described as a 'treasure' or 'diamond' in its genre. Importance 21%	Many players feel the game offers excellent value for its price, considering it a well-made indie gem. Its unique concept, depth, and overall quality make it a worthwhile purchase, often described as a 'treasure' or 'diamond' in its genre.	21%
Similarities to Other Games Description Players often compare the game to titles like Subnautica and Firewatch, noting similarities in its underwater exploration, narrative tone, and psychological themes. These comparisons help contextualize the game's unique blend of genres and experiences. Importance 8%	Players often compare the game to titles like Subnautica and Firewatch, noting similarities in its underwater exploration, narrative tone, and psychological themes. These comparisons help contextualize the game's unique blend of genres and experiences.	8%