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Under The Waves similar games & best alternatives

Under The Waves

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2023

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Quick resume

Stan, a professional diver in the North Sea, is struggling to overcome a life-changing loss during an extended mission underwater. Stuck in his self-imposed solitude, he starts to experience strange events and will have to make the most significant choice of his life...

Global score

78/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie

Similar games

    Pros

    • Beautiful and immersive underwater environment
    • Emotional and well-written narrative
    • Relaxing and cathartic gameplay
    • Strong sound design and music
    • Meaningful environmental themes

    Cons

    • Slow pacing and repetitive tasks
    • Clunky controls and camera issues
    • Poor lip-sync and facial animations
    • Some bugs and crashes reported
    • Limited gameplay depth and challenge

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      3

      "Players can explore underwater environments freely during dives and free dive mode, though story progression is linear with set objectives."

      Capsule for Beyond Blue Beyond Blue

      "Players have freedom to explore underwater environments and choose exploration paths, though the narrative is somewhat linear and guided."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      1

      "Gameplay involves simple puzzles and platforming with some technical challenges due to clunky controls, but overall low difficulty."

      Capsule for Plasticity Plasticity

      "Gameplay involves basic tasks and exploration with some crafting and upgrading, but controls can be clunky and challenges are minimal."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -5

      "No competitive elements; focus is on personal story and exploration without comparison to others."

      Capsule for OPUS: Rocket of Whispers OPUS: Rocket of Whispers

      "No competitive elements; focus is on personal story and exploration without comparison to others."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      2

      "Players report immersive atmosphere encouraging longer play sessions, though some find pacing slow and may disengage quickly."

      Capsule for 35MM 35MM

      "Players report immersive experience encouraging longer play sessions, though some find pacing slow and may disengage."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -5

      "Single-player experience focused on individual exploration and narrative without multiplayer or teamwork."

      Capsule for Corpse Party (2021) Corpse Party (2021)

      "Single-player experience focused on individual exploration and narrative without multiplayer or teamwork."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      2

      "Base building and weapon crafting allow some customization, but mostly within predefined structures and upgrade tiers."

      Capsule for Far Cry® New Dawn Far Cry® New Dawn

      "Some crafting and upgrading available, but mostly using predefined structures and limited modification."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -5

      "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are individual and narrative-driven."

      Capsule for Accounting+ Accounting+

      "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are individual and narrative-driven."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Strong emotional immersion and storytelling provide escape from real life, resonating deeply with players."

      Capsule for One Dreamer One Dreamer

      "Strong immersion and atmosphere provide escape from real life, with players describing emotional and cathartic experiences."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for intrinsic interest in story and exploration; no obligation or pressure."

      Capsule for Answer Knot Answer Knot

      "Players engage voluntarily for intrinsic interest in story and exploration; no obligation or pressure reported."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      1

      "Some exploration and trying different minigames, but overall gameplay is guided and routine."

      Capsule for MY LITTLE PONY: A Maretime Bay Adventure MY LITTLE PONY: A Maretime Bay Adventure

      "Exploration and some experimentation with crafting exist, but gameplay is mostly routine and guided."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      4

      "Large, complex maps with hidden areas, collectibles, and underwater exploration encourage discovery."

      Capsule for BioShock® 2 BioShock® 2

      "Significant emphasis on discovering underwater areas, fauna, wrecks, and collectibles driven by curiosity."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      1

      "Limited character customization mainly in appearance and traits, allowing modest self-expression."

      Capsule for Through the Darkest of Times Through the Darkest of Times

      "Limited character customization; some self-expression through minor interactions like facial expressions in mirror."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      1

      "The setting is somewhat realistic survival on ocean with some fictional elements; moderate fantasy immersion."

      Capsule for Raft Raft

      "Set in an alternative 1970s with some supernatural elements, but overall grounded in realistic underwater setting."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      -5

      "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social connection or community involvement."

      Capsule for Strange Horticulture Strange Horticulture

      "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social connection or community involvement."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      2

      "Some personal development through understanding story and managing tasks, but limited skill growth."

      Capsule for The Stillness of the Wind The Stillness of the Wind

      "Some learning through story and exploration; crafting and upgrading offer minor personal development."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

      Capsule for Terror At Oakheart Terror At Oakheart

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention and immersion; not designed for casual or background play."

      Capsule for Paranormal Activity: The Lost Soul Paranormal Activity: The Lost Soul

      "Requires sustained attention and immersion; not designed for background or idle play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      2

      "Narrative explores deep emotional and psychological relationships, though social interaction is limited to story."

      Capsule for The Coffin of Andy and Leyley The Coffin of Andy and Leyley

      "Emotional narrative fosters some personal connection, but social interactions are limited and surface-level."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -5

      "No leadership or management roles; player follows story and missions without directing others."

      Capsule for Cloudpunk Cloudpunk

      "No leadership or group management roles; player follows story and missions individually."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      2

      "Progression through story advancement, unlocking achievements, and collecting minor items."

      Capsule for Sumire Sumire

      "Basic progression through crafting and upgrades, but mostly linear story advancement."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      4

      "Many players find the game relaxing and meditative, balancing challenge and calm."

      Capsule for Ice Lakes Ice Lakes

      "Many players find the game relaxing and cathartic, balancing calm exploration with emotional tension."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Visuals and sound design provide rich sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

      Capsule for BADLAND: Game of the Year Edition BADLAND: Game of the Year Edition

      "Beautiful visuals and sound design provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -5

      "No social recognition or status systems; focus is on individual experience."

      Capsule for System Shock System Shock

      "No social recognition or status systems present; focus is on individual experience."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      5

      "Strong narrative focus with emotional storytelling and character development as the core of the experience."

      Capsule for GOODBYE WORLD GOODBYE WORLD

      "Strong narrative focus with emotional storytelling and character development central to the experience."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      -2

      "Minimal strategic or problem-solving elements; gameplay is straightforward and simple."

      Capsule for Flower Flower

      "Minimal strategic or problem-solving elements; gameplay is straightforward and task-oriented."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      1

      "Some suspense and dramatic moments in story, but overall controlled and calm gameplay."

      Capsule for A New Beginning - Final Cut A New Beginning - Final Cut

      "Some suspense and tension in story moments, but overall controlled and calm gameplay."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      3

      "Players feel the game offers good value for time spent, especially for story and atmosphere."

      Capsule for Röki Röki

      "Players generally feel the game offers good value for time spent, especially for narrative and exploration fans."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      -5

      "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus on exploration and atmosphere."

      Capsule for Summer of '58 Summer of '58

      "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus on constructive exploration and environmental themes."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      -3

      "Minimal survival elements; death only occurs by falling into water, no resource management."

      Capsule for Himno Himno

      "Minimal survival elements; oxygen management exists but is not challenging or threatening."

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Intimacy, Survival, Violence, Competition. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fellowship, Strategy, Cooperation.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026