TEST Under the Waves: a new gem among scuba diving games

More than 3 years of gestation were necessary until this beautiful project was completed. A game that aims to be deeply ecological, even down to its technical optimization. Before even starting a game, an option allows you to run the game in energy saving mode. Certainly this lowers the graphics quality of the engine, but think about it if you simply want to do a short session without immersion. In any case, PC players do not need a war machine to run the title at ultra performance. Without compromising the graphics, you can go all out with a 4gb vram gpu and enjoy the show. Enough to do good for your electricity bill, as well as the environment. Certain passages of the adventure are particularly aesthetic, although the whole takes place in the same area.

A deep and offbeat experience.

We are in 1979, in the shoes of professional diver Stan Moray. The latter has experienced a terrible personal tragedy, he needs solitude to get back on his feet. Stan accepts a job with Unitrench, a multinational oil company that hides many secrets beneath the waves of the North Sea. Stan’s ecological fiber will be put to the test, but he will also go through his own trauma in a rather strange way… His mission for the company consists of managing the maintenance of the company’s equipment and underwater installations. For that, he travels aboard a small single-seater submarine called Moon. This vehicle allows him to move quickly throughout the sector. Once his day’s work is completed, he resides in a perfectly furnished module. Kitchen, bathroom, a real apartment with a view of a giant aquarium.

This job is perfect for lonely souls, with only local wild animals as their companions. All the fauna is present, sharks, seals, whales, there are more than twenty species that the player encounters here and there. Certain creatures play a role in the gameplay, consider following them to see if they lead you anywhere. Stan also has free time despite his busy days, the opportunity to go for walks and explore the surrounding area. Numerous wrecks are scattered everywhere, boats, planes, cars, a multitude of discoveries await exploration enthusiasts. From there to talking about underwater discharge, there is only one step… plastic, metal, electronic components, a landscape of desolation in certain places. These scraps are, however, very useful to Stan, serving as a crafting resource. He can thus improve his equipment, beautify the decoration of his home and stock up on equipment. In addition, it depends on what the player wants to do in this experience, where exploration takes precedence over the rest, but to reach the end of the tunnel for the first time, allow 8 to 9 hours of play.

Pollution is a central element of the Under the Waves adventure. The Unitrench company has devastated the environment, oil residue lines the seabed in every corner. The player can clean up the mess if they wish and earn crafting materials. However, the task is so gargantuan that it is almost impossible to keep a clear line. Rest assured, no objective pushes you to do it, even the successes are limited to a reasonable quantity. Immersion is guaranteed, both the universe and the gameplay are solid. The narration is perfect and touches our heartswith an excellent musical atmosphere.

Beyond the realism of the game, a supernatural side quickly takes place. Stan is subject to strange dreams and hallucinations, as well as a more disturbing phenomenon… Is this linked to deep sea sickness, or is there really a secret that the Unitrench company is trying to hide? This is the fundamental question that the player asks himself throughout the adventure. The fact remains that this stay will have a profound impact on the life of our hero, the final outcome of which you choose. You will have understood it through our words, Under the Waves is a production which was able to charm us with ease. The title brings a little breath of fresh air which is good to see. Don’t miss out on this deep and offbeat experience.