Lee Mehr
VGChartzUnder the Waves (XS) Review
Published 9/29/2023
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
60
-7 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalCritic Atlas
Making subjectivity useful.
Series X|S / PS4 / PC / PS5 / XONE - 8/29/2023
Under the Waves
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.
- Developer
- Parallel Studio
- Publisher
- Quantic Dream
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Critic average
67
Average of 11 scored external reviews.
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Serious / dark / groundedDefining · Curated baseline
Story / character-drivenDefining · Curated baseline
Exploration-drivenDefining · Curated baseline
Atmosphere-driven / aesthetic identityDefining · Curated baseline
Unconventional / experimentalStrongly · Curated baseline
Highly replayableModerately · Curated baseline
Strategic / planning-heavyModerately · Curated baseline
Systems / mechanics-drivenModerately · Curated baseline
Show 12 more descriptors
Side-content richModerately · Curated baseline
Reflex / execution-heavySlightly · Curated baseline
Puzzle / logic-focusedSlightly · Curated baseline
Cozy / low-pressureSlightly · Curated baseline
Punishing / high-pressureSlightly · Curated baseline
Loot / progression-drivenSlightly · Curated baseline
Short / focusedSlightly · Curated baseline
Whimsical / playful / lightheartedNot present · Curated baseline
Run-based / proceduralNot present · Curated baseline
Combat / action-focusedNot present · Curated baseline
Buildcraft / customization-heavyNot present · Curated baseline
Multiplayer / socialNot present · Curated baseline
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Review coverage
Critic signal strength
Numeric critic scoring uses full scored reviews once available. Review-in-progress scores act as temporary early signal only until full review scores exist. Unscored reviews still count as coverage, but they are not included in the critic average.
High confidenceMostly aligned
Critic avg
67
11 scored reviews
Total coverage
11
All coverage currently scored
Score range
60–74
Lowest to highest scored review
Signal shape
Mostly aligned
Score range is 11–20 points
Critic landscape
The critic average is 67 across 11 scored reviews, with a 14-point spread. Critics mostly agree, but there is some useful variation in the individual reviews.
How to read this
The average is useful broad context, but the high and low reviews may explain what different critics valued or penalized.
Most scored reviews currently sit in the 70–79 band.
Score distribution
Shows how included scored reviews are clustered across the normalized 100-point scale.
11 included scored reviews
90–1000 reviews · 0%
80–890 reviews · 0%
70–797 reviews · 64%
Below 704 reviews · 36%
Showing 1-10 of 11 matching critic reviews. 11 total critic reviews. Page 1 of 2.
Zahid Ahmed
PlayStation UniverseUnder The Waves Review (PS5) - Finding Purpose In An Endless Abyss - PlayStation Universe
Published 9/28/2023
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
70
+3 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalMark Steighner
COGconnectedUnder the Waves Review – The Game Aquatic
Published 9/25/2023
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
74
+7 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalRob Gordon
Screen Rant"A story that falls somewhere between Solaris and The Abyss": our Under The Waves review
Published 9/20/2023
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
70
+3 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalGareth Chadwick
TheSixthAxisUnder the Waves Review | TheSixthAxis
Published 9/19/2023
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
70
+3 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalNick Gillett
Metro GameCentralUnder The Waves review – down where it’s wetter
Published 9/11/2023
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
70
+3 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalJohn Cal McCormick
Push SquareReview: Under the Waves (PS5) - Sad, Lonely, Occasionally Wonderful Deep Sea Drama
Published 9/8/2023
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
70
+3 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalAlex Novus
ImpulsegamerUnder the Waves XSX Review
Published 9/6/2023
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
70
+3 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalBrie Hoban
Game RantUnder the Waves Review
Published 9/6/2023
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
60
-7 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalKeza MacDonald
The GuardianUnder the Waves review – a glitchy, but captivating underwater expedition
Published 9/5/2023
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
60
-7 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalPlayer reviews
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