Under the Waves is best suited to players who want a reflective story about grief wrapped in a moody underwater setting. Its exploration, salvage and crafting give the story room to breathe, but critics have also pointed to slow pacing, repetitive tasks and limited gameplay depth. The critical score available here is specific to PlayStation 5, not a verdict on every version.
What is Under the Waves about?
Developed by Parallel Studio and published by Quantic Dream, Under the Waves is a single-player narrative adventure released in 2023. It follows Stan, a professional diver coping with grief and isolation in a techno-futuristic version of the 1970s North Sea.
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The underwater environment is central to the mood: the setting’s quiet, distance and isolation frame Stan’s personal story. Parallel Studio CEO and Game Director Ronan Coiffec described the project as part of his own grieving process: “Under The Waves is the final step in my grieving process.” (Quantic Dream’s developer interview, “Unveiling Under The Waves”.)
What is the gameplay like?
The game alternates between swimming and piloting a submarine as you explore, collect materials, salvage items and craft equipment. The chapter-led story is supported by optional exploration and side content rather than a deep combat or systems-heavy loop. That makes the activities a way to inhabit Stan’s world, though players seeking varied mechanical challenges may find them thin.
#1 Best Overall
- PS5 Features include raytracing modes and immersive haptic feedback for DualSense
- Use darkness and cover to avoid being overwhelmed by the ship's deadly new inhabitants
- Seek out the weapon fabricators to increase your firepower as you journey deeper, into the dark and terrifying depths, but beware ammo is limited
- Gather materials & schematics for weapon upgrades and suit customizations with buffs
- Harvest DNA material to improve health, toughness and defensive capabilities.Survive an ever changing labyrinth. Each and every expedition into The Persistence will be disorienting and different.Death is just the beginning. Fatal encounters will result in Zimri's consciousness being uploaded into a new cloned body, ready to try again, with any upgraded stats, suits & weapon schematics kept to aid the next attempt to save the ship
Quantic Dream’s official game page lists the game for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Platform-specific reviews and technical performance can differ; a PS5 score should not be read as a PC or Xbox assessment.
What do critics say about Under the Waves?
At access in 2026, Metacritic’s PlayStation 5 critic page showed a 70 Metascore, labeled “Mixed or Average,” based on 27 listed reviews: 9 positive, 18 mixed and 0 negative. This is a changing snapshot for PS5, not a universal or permanent rating.
Rank #2
- Tauche in ein ausgeklügeltes Abenteuer ein, das von Klassikern der Science-Fiction inspiriert wurde
- Setze eine Kombination aus Fernkampfwaffen, Gerätschaften, Verbrauchsgegenständen und Nahkampf ein
- Schalte mit dem gesammelten Wissen neue Gerätschaften, Waffen und Fähigkeiten frei
- Aufregende Bosskämpfe: Grauen erregende Gegner, die nach vielseitigen Strategien und Taktiken verlangen
The listed review summaries praise the atmosphere, music and emotional storytelling, while also flagging languid pacing, missed narrative opportunities, technical glitches and small tasks that can feel repetitive. These are recurring themes in the cited summaries, not points on which every critic necessarily agrees.
Who is most likely to enjoy it?
- Consider it if you value an introspective story, evocative underwater exploration and atmosphere more than complex systems or constant action.
- Be cautious if slow narrative pacing, repeated collection or salvage tasks, or occasional technical clumsiness would undermine your enjoyment.
- Check the version you plan to play if performance is a priority. The available aggregate is for PS5, and it does not establish how the other versions perform.
Which platforms and editions are listed?
The publisher lists PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. For PlayStation, the US PlayStation Store page lists PS4 and PS5 versions; when accessed, it displayed $29.99 and a subscription-catalog option. Those are time-sensitive store details, not a guarantee of current price or catalog access in every region.
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Rank #3
- UK PSN account may be required for any online features
Xbox Wire’s August 29, 2023 launch article documented a deluxe physical edition for Xbox One and Xbox Series. That establishes a launch format, not present-day stock or availability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does the ocean-preservation partnership change the experience?
Quantic Dream says it partnered with Surfrider Foundation Europe to support ocean preservation. This provides real-world context for the game’s marine setting, but the cited material does not quantify any conservation impact. The partnership should not be mistaken for a measurable environmental outcome.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Build your own zoo with over 500 different animals at your disposal, then splice together over 300,000 different animal combinations
- Keep your animals and your itors happy, with hundreds of buildings, foliage, path and enclosure decorations
- Hire the perfect employees to deal with a variety of life events
- Control everything that happens in your park, from what your animals eat to what eats your animals…
- Decide whether you want to run your Zoo above board... or break the law and pocket the extra cash
Rank #4
- Value for money
- Good product with exc\
- Perfect puzzling: Puzzles slowly increase in complexity enabling seamless progression and rewarding exploration.
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