Under the Waves: a Deep Dive Into Solitude and Discovery

A quiet North Sea story about grief, guilt, and letting go

Reviewed on PC.Score: 8/10

Under the Waves (Parallel Studio / Spotlight by Quantic Dream) is a narrative-led adventure set in the cold isolation of the North Sea. You play as Stan, a professional diver on an extended underwater assignment — and the further the days go on, the more the mission starts to feel like an emotional pressure chamber.

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Under the Waves — Trailer

Under the Waves

Release: August 29, 2023

Genre: Adventure, Narrative, Exploration

Developer / Publisher: Parallel Studio / Spotlight by Quantic Dream

Platforms: PC — Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5 — PlayStation Store, Xbox Series X|S — Microsoft Store

The tale beneath the surface

This is a game that trusts quiet. It doesn’t rush the player into big spectacle — it builds mood through routine, radio calls, small objectives, and long stretches of water where your thoughts get loud. Stan’s story is personal, heavy, and intentionally uncomfortable at times, and the writing commits to that tone.

A straightforward run sits around the 10-hour mark, and the finale hinges on a clear late-game decision that leads to two outcomes. That structure works here — not as a gimmick, but as a final “who are you choosing to be?” moment.

Atmosphere that does the real work

The underwater world is the star: moody lighting, drifting particles, distant silhouettes, and that constant feeling of being small in a place that doesn’t care about you. When the game leans into silence and space, it’s at its best — reflective, eerie, and strangely calming.

Exploring the hidden wonders of the ocean in Under the Waves.

A weathered submersible station lies anchored in the deep ocean of Under the Waves.

Exploring the mysteries of a submerged world in Under the Waves

Underwater piloting reveals a graceful manta ray in Under the Waves.

The rough edges

The mission flow can feel repetitive, and a few interactions don’t always land as cleanly as they should. There are also occasional technical hiccups that pull you out of the mood for a moment. None of it ruins the experience — but it does stop the game from being as smooth as its best scenes deserve.

Final verdict

Under the Waves is a moving, visually striking narrative adventure that earns its tone. It’s not trying to be “fun” in a traditional sense — it’s trying to make you sit with something, and it succeeds more often than not.

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