In Other Waters

 PC
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Edge Magazine
    May 22, 2020
    70
    It's relatively easygoing, then: contemplative and calming. [Issue#346, p.107]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Screen Rant
    Apr 2, 2020
    70
    In Other Waters shows an earnest appreciation for the science of biology, deftly fusing it with an important message and an almost therapeutic aesthetic. It's worth the time and money for anyone who wants something a little different out of their next narrative game.
  3. Meristation
    May 9, 2020
    68
    Among the biggest flaws a narrative game could have is letting its narrative flow being disrupted by a boring game mechanic, and that is what happens with In Other Waters. Despite that, In Other Waters manage to float thanks to a well thought interface, good taste and its general evocativeness.
  5. Riot Pixels
    Jun 22, 2020
    66
    In Other Waters is an experimental crossbreed between a simple-hearted adventure game and an equally straightforward simulator of a futuristic ocean scientist. The adventure part is constrained by narrative conventions and oversimplified design, but the sim part is almost a meditative experience that might enthrall you for a few hours.
  6. Game Informer
    Mar 31, 2020
    63
    In Other Waters’ gameplay and story aren’t enough to fuel the exploration it demands, but its world building is commendable. Unfortunately, this makes it suited more towards amateur biologists and cartographers than those looking for a gripping adventure.
  7. Gamer Escape
    Jun 10, 2020
    60
    This is a unique and sometimes even a wondrous experience. In Other Waters is a perfect example of why independent game development is so important to the ecosystem. The ideas these developers have are fantastic and important to gaming and this is an experience I wasn’t going to get anywhere else. That being said, it is impossible to ignore some of In Other Waters’ most glaring flaws. As much as I’m willing to sacrifice depth in gameplay for a satisfying story, I should never feel frustrated as much as I did while playing this.
  8. Hooked Gamers
    Apr 14, 2020
    60
    I do still recommend this game to anyone who has had their curiosity piqued by this title’s setting and enrapturing environment. From what I can see online, I’m in a minority of those who have encountered this game-ending bug. As such, I encourage your own exploration of In Other Waters into the depths that I just couldn’t reach.
  9. PC Invasion
    Apr 2, 2020
    60
    In Other Waters is an OK game. It misses out on some things by not explaining the shortcuts or the fact that you don’t need to return to waystations to go back to base. I don’t know if I can say that it will stay with me for too long. The story is somewhat bland and inoffensive, and minimal controls are somewhat clunkier than necessary. The visual presentation of it all is a highlight though. I guess you can grab it if you want to replace Nauticrawl’s combat with the secret life of underwater bacteria.
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  1. Eurogamer
    Apr 2, 2020
    Hypnotic art, otherworldly audio and captivating writing meet in an undersea exploration game that wants you to take your time. [Eurogamer Recommended]
  2. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Mar 31, 2020
    You get to be methodical. Curious. Work through all the different species you need to research. Log all the specimens you need. Update all the taxonomies until you know everything you can about this world. You can order it all, and order your mind. You can imagine Ellery’s careful steps. You listen to the deep, slow breath of the ocean rolling overhead and around you. Ah. Lovely. [RPS Bestest Bests]

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 6 out of 15
  1. otm
    Jun 3, 2020
    4
    I was drawn in by the promising reviews but this game is a painfully shallow experience. A superficially elegant but immediately frustratingI was drawn in by the promising reviews but this game is a painfully shallow experience. A superficially elegant but immediately frustrating UI paired with what is genuinely basic and unimpressive sound design. As the writing / world-building has been held up as a strength of the game, I should also say that it was in no way intriguing to me with banal exposition and so in my view, even fails on the level of visual / interactive novel. To contrast, Disco Elysium is lightyears ahead.

    This is my first rating on here but felt compelled to respond to what led me to buying this game: the favourable reviews. Unfortunately the critical reaction speaks more of a culture begging to be considered more thoughtful and, here I go again, deep rather than accepting that video games are a medium that requires a bit more effort towards immersion with engaging tactility to be effective (or in some cases, to break with immersion for narrative purpose).

    If you like this game, then by all means enjoy it but have you also tried reading a good book?    … Full Review »
  2. notherone
    Apr 14, 2020
    4
    It's possible that, at some point after the first 30 minutes, this game gets really interesting, but it would have to be a truly impressiveIt's possible that, at some point after the first 30 minutes, this game gets really interesting, but it would have to be a truly impressive pivot. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what's going wrong, but it's fair to say that nothing is quite going right. For all the lovely sound design and eye-catching aesthetic, there's precious little (if any) reward in exchange for your curiosity. Collapse… Full Review »
  3. Mangraz
    Jul 5, 2020
    9
    A wonderful, unique game.

    If you are looking for a classic videogame, In Other Waters is certainly not for you. If you are open for an    A wonderful, unique game.

    If you are looking for a classic videogame, In Other Waters is certainly not for you. If you are open for an unusual experience tho, I can recommend it without hesitation. The game is all about curiosity, What happened to this planet? What happened to the lost friend of the protagonist? What are those alien lifeforms roaming every nook and cranny of this great ocean?

    Despite on first glance looking very open and sandboxy, this is a narrative game. While I had great fun completing my encyclopedia, there is no real (as in game-changing) reward to it, other than detailled sketches and descriptions of the lifeforms. I greatly enjoyed reading every entry tho, and do not miss the lack of progression mechanics.

    This means, while classifying the alien ecosystems is a big part of the game, you can easily focus on the narrative, without the story losing it's appeal. Greatly recommended.    … Full Review »
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