Under the Waves

Last updated
Under the Waves
Under the Waves cover.jpg
Developer(s) Parallel Studio
Publisher(s) Quantic Dream
Engine Unreal Engine [1]
Platform(s)
Release
  • WW: 29 August 2023
Genre(s) Adventure
Mode(s) Single-player

Under the Waves is a 2023 adventure video game developed by Parallel Studio and published by Quantic Dream. Players control a professional diver who attempts to deal with personal trauma and a job that may compromise his principles. The game was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on 29 August 2023. It received mixed reviews from critics.

Contents

Gameplay

After a traumatic event, deep sea diver Stanley goes to Atlantic Ocean with a robot companion under the auspices of the corporation UniTrench. Players control Stanley as he explores the open world and performs tasks for UniTrench. They can also gather collectibles and craft items. As players progress through each days' tasks, they learn more about Stanley's past and UniTrench's intentions. [2]

Development and release

Parallel Studio developed Under the Waves in France. [3] Quantic Dream published the game for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on 29 August 2023. [4]

Reception

Under the Waves received "mixed or average" reviews from critics for the PS5 version, while the PC version received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator website Metacritic. [5]

Reviewers said they encountered many bugs and technical issues. [2] [3] [6] [7] Though GamesRadar called it "emotionally resonant, thematically intriguing, and visually striking", they thought the environmentalist narrative was occasionally too blunt. [2] Commenting on the bugs, Video Games Chronicle said it has "plenty of rough edges", but they said it is a memorable game that "handles distressing subject matter in a touching way". [3] The Guardian and Push Square said they continued playing through the technical issues because of the game's immersion and soundtrack. [6] [7]

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References

  1. ↑ Williams, Mike (2023-08-17). "Over 40 Unreal Engine-powered games highlighted during recent summer events". Unreal Engine . Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  2. 1 2 3 Avard, Alex (2023-08-29). "Under the Waves review: 'An emotionally resonant and thematically intriguing tale'". GamesRadar . Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  3. 1 2 3 Scullion, Chris (2023-08-29). "Review: Under the Waves is an emotional adventure with some rough edges". Video Games Chronicle . Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  4. ↑ Romano, Sal (2023-06-08). "Under The Waves launches August 29". Gematsu. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  5. ↑ "Under The Waves". Metacritic . Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  6. 1 2 MacDonald, Keza (2023-09-05). "Under the Waves review – a glitchy, but captivating underwater expedition". The Guardian . Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  7. 1 2 McCormick, John Cal (2023-09-08). "Mini Review: Under the Waves (PS5) - Sad, Lonely, Occasionally Wonderful Deep Sea Drama". Push Square . Retrieved 2023-09-14.
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