Submerged

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 32
  3. Negative: 9 out of 32
  1. Digitally Downloaded
    Aug 7, 2015
    100
    What impressed me most about Submerged is that it never tries to be more than its concept. It set out to be a simple narrative-driven and emotional experience with a strong environmental message, and it achieves just that. With no unnecessary actions to distract those with limited attention spans it might be perceieved as "dull" by some, but in practice it's a reflective, mature, and artful work, and this here is where games should be going.
  2. NZGamer
    Aug 5, 2015
    90
    Submerged won’t be a game for everyone, in the same way that the likes of Gone Home and Dear Esther aren’t for everyone, but that doesn’t make it any less remarkable. But if you can hear the music that this game is playing - and I’d urge you to give it an earnest go - you’ll find something that may just take your breath away.
  3. Brash Games
    Aug 30, 2015
    80
    Different and stunning.
  5. Dealspwn
    Aug 12, 2015
    80
    One of the most relaxing games I've played in ages. Submerged is a game happy to let the player explore, with minimal challenge making for an experience that focuses on player exploration and stopping to enjoy the view. The story of the children and the desolate world around them slowly becomes clearer, leaving just enough room for the player's personal interpretation.
  6. Digital Chumps
    Aug 3, 2015
    80
    It's easy to get lost inside Submerged's desolate seascapes. Its desire for pacifism and drive for hope are worthy talents, but it's the call to adventure—to indulge and explore marine tranquility and conquering vegetation—that you'll keep with you, if only for a little while.
  7. Vandal
    Aug 5, 2015
    75
    It's short and it has some technical issues, but we've enjoyed it and we think that it even has some moments to remember. If you understand its flaws, it might surprise you.
  8. GamingTrend
    Aug 3, 2015
    75
    Submerged is a short but impactful experience, crafting sound and sight together to create something unique and different from the mold.
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  1. The A.V. Club
    Dec 8, 2015
    Submerged doesn’t want to see you fail, but it doesn’t trust you to succeed without its help, either. It bears repeating: Children aren’t morons. Submerged knows this, but it still treats its players like they’re just kids.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 39
  3. Negative: 13 out of 39
  1. Skirmish
    Aug 5, 2015
    10
    This game is a real gem. My kids found this on PSN and convinced me to download it. After watching my daughter sail around the overgrownThis game is a real gem. My kids found this on PSN and convinced me to download it. After watching my daughter sail around the overgrown urban decay I started playing it myself. Submerged is truly beautiful. Visually of course, but I am finding the combination of the music and the way the story is delivered is really touching.

    I have grown a bit tired of brown hued wastelands. Don't get me wrong, I have been a fan of the Fallout series since the beginning and I find post-apocalyptic worlds really compelling. But Submerged's lush green world, full of life, offers a refreshing alternative.

    I am finding this to be an intriguing experience so far with mystery, and maybe menace, lying behind what seems like tranquility. This game now sits along side Journey as an example for my non-gaming friends of what games can strive for.    … Full Review »
  2. Thirdrail
    Aug 4, 2015
    5
    The basic idea of Submerged is great, especially the combat-free part, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. For starters, it's a $10The basic idea of Submerged is great, especially the combat-free part, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. For starters, it's a $10 game that costs $20. After the first ten minutes of play, you've done and seen the vast majority of everything the game will ever show you or have you do. I don't just mean the wall climbing and boat steering (the game's two main/only activities), I mean everything. Every model. Every texture. Every corroded sea creature. It's just so little actual content. There is one kind of wall to climb. There is one kind of flowered vine to climb. The ledge, the game's real star, comes in two varieties - kind of worn and very worn. Everything is the same colour. Every half submerged building looks like every other half submerged building. None of the animals are very inspired or imaginative, though there are eight total. Or maybe I'm the weirdo, for not getting more excited about seeing a virtual pelican. You know what, I take it back, this isn't a $10 game masquerading as a $20 game, it's an $8 game, masquerading as a $20 game. And not a particularly good one. If you do find yourself curious, despite the many available warnings, I would strongly suggest you wait for Submerged to be half the price it should have launched at in the first place, which would be $4.… Full Review »
  3. mfk04
    Aug 27, 2016
    7
    With an interesting premise, Submerged delivers a beautiful post apocalyptic world with a subtle but intriguing story. But its repetitiveWith an interesting premise, Submerged delivers a beautiful post apocalyptic world with a subtle but intriguing story. But its repetitive minute to minute gameplay makes it hard to go through it.
    Not that I don't like simple, artistic, story focused games, but the constant loop of climbing a building, opening a package and watching a short cutscene (with the same music every time) gets tedious over time.
    I don't say I wouldn't recommend it but if you want to try it, go with measured expectations.    … Full Review »
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