Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Apr 5, 2022
    90
    Submerged: Hidden Depths is the perfect game to play when needing a break from the more stressful or narrative intense experiences. Featuring a powerful orchestral score, relaxing exploration and puzzle solving, and a subtle yet interesting story about the bonds of family and the power of hope, Submerged surprised me and provided me with one of my favorite experiences of the year.
  2. 80
    Submerged: Hidden Depth didn’t quite hit me as strongly as its predecessor. It is a more rounded and proficient take on the vision, but ultimately it is also the exact same vision as its predecessor and, this second time around, the impact just isn’t the same. However, it is still a beautiful, emotional and poignant bit of art, and we should all be sending our politicians copies to play. Otherwise, we’ll all find ourselves travelling around our crumbling, drowned cities soon. Just like Miku and Taku do here.
  3. Mar 10, 2022
    80
    Submerged: Hidden Depths is not only beautiful to look at, it offers a nice change of pace from the open world RPG titles out there.
  4. Mar 10, 2022
    75
    A simple adventure offering a short journey across a ravaged world, unfortunately the story doesn’t unfold as well as it could have done and the puzzles and platforming sections are very basic. Still, this is a relaxing trip worth setting sail for.
  5. Apr 11, 2022
    70
    Submerged: Hidden Depths feels like what the first game should have been. The main story is more interesting now, but the ancillary story lacks gravitas since the game can spoil the ending for you. The actual gameplay is easy for anyone to manage, which makes for an enjoyable experience. Some of the stuff you're collecting now actually serves a purpose, even if it's cosmetic. The experience is short if you're just going after the main storyline, but it feels just right. For those who want the equivalent of a walking simulator with more to do, Hidden Depths is well worth checking out.
  6. Mar 11, 2022
    70
    Free of any combat, and largely of any challenge whatsoever, Submerged: Hidden Depths is the perfect game to relax with. Its colourful visuals and contemplative soundtrack will immerse you in a world that feels sombre yet hopeful, as you explore every nook and cranny on your modest ship. Though for some the action may prove to be too basic. Still, if you’re after a game that you can chill out with while unravelling the fate of a caring sister and her brother, this is well worth checking out.
  7. Mar 11, 2022
    70
    The follow-up to Submerged reaps the rewards of its simplicity while also paying a price for it.
  8. Mar 10, 2022
    70
    A relaxing collect-a-thon adventure game, Submerged: Hidden Depths is visually stunning with graphics that are comparable to those of big budget titles. Although the story lacks depth and the main mission can feel a bit repetitive, if you want a game that is very chill and completely devoid of stress, this is worth picking up.
  9. Apr 1, 2022
    65
    If you are well aware of the nature of the game and what it offers, it is possible to have a good time in the heart of Submerged: Hidden Depths. Thanks to its absolutely delightful universe, its peaceful rhythm and its neat soundtrack, the title of Uppercut Games does not claim to be anything other than what it is: a simple experience of exploration and of contemplation. Despite everything, drowned under a ton of dispensable collectibles and served by an optimization not always perfected, Submerged Hidden Depths certainly does better than its predecessor, but does not completely manage to embark us in its universe.
  10. Mar 13, 2022
    65
    With no timers, no combat and barely any challenge Submerged: Hidden Depths is a super chill if overly shallow adventure that makes a good palate cleanser between bigger titles.
  11. Mar 10, 2022
    60
    There's no mechanics, really, to speak of. There's no combat for us to discuss. You can't even jump on command — only at specific places. Submerged is a chillout experience about exploration with a slight story and basically nothing else, and honestly, we're okay with that. Not everything has to be explosions or sad-times-my-kid-died-and-now-I've-grown-a-beard depressing drama. Pop on Submberged as a palette cleanser between more involved titles or as an escape from the horror of reality and you'll be fine. This is fine.
User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Awaiting 3 more ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 1
  2. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Mar 11, 2022
    7
    Good-
    Outstanding soundtrack that makes even the boring sections entertaining. The characters are very endearing even if they do not speak
    Good-
    Outstanding soundtrack that makes even the boring sections entertaining. The characters are very endearing even if they do not speak all that much. The platforming surprisingly flows really nicely.

    Bad-
    There are too few new ideas to the genre and those that are become stretched thin very quick. Some puzzles fall apart if you do not do them the right way and that can make the game much more frustrating.

    Thoughts-
    At this point, you should probably already know if Submerged: Hidden Depths is for you. If you like these sorts of atmospheric games, it will likely serve as a meaningful addition to your library, though it won’t distract from the undisputed kings of it. It slips up a bit with repetition and pacing, which can lead to occasional lags in your enjoyment, but mostly delivers on what it promises to otherwise with a slower, more relaxing vibe that few games lean into this much. If you don’t typically like these sorts of games, there’s little here to change your mind outside of a reasonably dense web of collectables and puzzles that more-or-less fit with the $20 price tag. Had the game either expanded on its ideas or honed them a bit more, I could more emphatically and broadly recommended it, but as it is, it gets enough right that many fans of the genre should like it, and some might even love it, but it mostly forgoes being much more than that.
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