Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 72 | 46 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 77% | 72 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 74 | 35 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 76% | 71 | 1521 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Sep 12, 2023) · 300 reviews sampled · 1521 total reviews in window · weighted 169.6 up / 33.3 down · computed 17m ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (37)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“Under the Waves is a visually stunning game with a powerful, emotional story and excellent music. Although it has some shortcomings, such as an inverted control scheme, minimal activities, and limited survival elements, it still offers an engaging experience, especially for those who appreciate a deeper approach to the plot and atmospheric elements. On top of that, the game features a complete Czech localization.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Parallel Studio's latest avoids drowning from formulaic story & design critiques, but whether the plunge is still worth it greatly depends on your Pacific taste.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Rather simple in its conception, Under The Waves immerses the player in a narrative dealing with several subjects. The atmosphere and the way the story is told are undoubtedly the strengths of this game developed by the Parallel Studio team. Nevertheless, loading times, the pace of certain phases and technical problems detract from the overall experience. Still, the game should appeal to players looking for an immersive narrative experience.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“But the soundtrack is excellent and perfectly complements your lonely swimming, the atmosphere is thick, and the occasionally wondrous moments are suitably awesome, in the literal sense. While you spend most of your time swimming alone in the grim dark of the sea, the moments where you find a sunken wreck or a friendly octopus act as a kind of catharsis, and always feel special.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“Under the Waves tells a solid tale of grief that is at its best when it focuses on environmentalism and technical issues and lack of polish hinder the unique experience of the deep sea.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Under the Waves is a worthy effort and will "speak" to those who love a good story, earning extra points for the acting. The gameplay doesn't attempt anything new and relies heavily on the environment and exploration, which is handled well with the exception of how quickly the oxygen runs out and some minor issues in the technical area”
read full review ↗ - 75
“It is impressive that the game combines the exploration of the meticulously crafted underwater world with a message of environmental protection. But, it's a bit disappointing that the main story was not easy to immerse due to bugs scattered everywhere, even though it is the core content of this game.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“There are three types of people. The living, the dead, and those at sea. Under The Waves is a non-standard philosophical game where you think about this statement. It mainly focuses on the effect from the emotional experience.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“It's not perfect but it is unique and it's a joy to explore the depths of the north sea in your cute little submarine.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Under the Waves is a slow and steady title with a gripping atmosphere and beautiful underwater world, but by the end, you might get sick of it.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“In "Under the Waves" we didn't find the graphics of Detroit Become Human or the plot that Heavy Rain develops, but I found a more solid and engaging experience as a whole. By simplifying some elements and refining others, we are faced with a solid narrative that will captivate players and easily allow us to join the character's struggle... on a personal or professional level. The developer's bet on teaming up with an organization with "on-site" knowledge of the reality and difficulties our oceans face, was a successful bet and one that we see as an example for other publishers to follow.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“A story about loneliness and grief, set in a retro-futuristic 1970s and told from the perspective of a deepsea diver, which is less interested in action than creating the right atmosphere.”
read full review ↗
Gaming Professors
VGChartz
Geeks & Com
Push Square
Capsule Computers
Enternity.gr
INVEN
SECTOR.sk
TheSixthAxis
SomHráč.sk
Game Forces PT
Metro GameCentral…and 25 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Under The Waves Patch note 01.09Feb 23, 2024
- Patch 01.07Nov 9, 2023
- Patch 01.06Oct 20, 2023
- Patch Notes 1.0.5Oct 6, 2023
- Patch note 1.04Sep 25, 2023
- Patch 01.03Sep 12, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Patch note 1.02Sep 6, 2023