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. 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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