Under The Waves: What to Know Before You Play
By Qfficial Quantic Dream Merc | Published: 2026-10-15
Category: Product Reviews
A grounded look at Under The Waves: what kind of game it is, how its grief story plays out, and how to decide if it belongs in your library.
Quick answer
Under The Waves is a narrative-driven adventure game about grief, set in the depths of the North Sea in a techno-futuristic 1970s. If you want a slow, atmospheric story about loss and solitude more than combat or puzzle pressure, it is worth buying. If you need fast action, heavy challenge, or a long campaign, choose a different game.
What kind of game Under The Waves actually is
The catalog describes Under The Waves as a narrative-driven adventure game about the engulfing power of grief. You play as professional diver Stan, who is struggling to overcome a life-changing loss and embrace a new future. The isolation of the deep sea is presented as a fitting manifestation of his state of mind, and as Stan retreads further into his self-imposed solitude, he starts to experience...
That framing matters when you decide whether to buy. This is not a combat-first game, and the supplied description does not promise skill trees, competitive modes, or endless side content. It promises a story and an atmosphere. If that is what you want, the game is doing exactly what it says.
How to read the story before you commit
The core subject is grief, not exploration for its own sake. Stan's dive into the North Sea is a way of showing his inner state, so expect quiet stretches, introspection, and a mood that stays heavy rather than triumphant. The 1970s techno-futuristic setting gives the world a specific texture, but the emotional arc is the main event.
If you have played narrative-driven games before and you know that slow pacing can feel meaningful rather than boring, this is a good match. If you bounce off games that ask you to sit with sadness for long stretches, this one will not hide that from you.
Platform choice and how to buy
Under The Waves is sold with a Platform option type, so the version you buy depends on the platform you choose at checkout. Before you add it to your cart, confirm which platform you actually play on and check that the store listing shows that option. If you split your time between platforms, pick the one where you are most likely to finish a story game rather than the one that is simply convenient today.
The catalog price is USD 22.49, compared with a catalog comparison price of USD 29.99. That is a meaningful gap, but it is not a reason to buy a version you cannot play. Match the platform first, then decide.
How to pair it with Quantic Dream merch
If you already collect Quantic Dream items, Under The Waves fits naturally alongside them as a companion piece rather than a replacement. The Quantic Dream Notebook is a practical place to jot down your thoughts while you play, and the Quantic Dream Mug keeps a hot drink within reach during long, quiet sessions. Neither is required to enjoy the game, but both make the desk setup feel intentional.
The Quantic Dream Studio Merch Bundle is the better route if you want several items at once, since it includes a beanie or cap, a t-shirt, a notebook, a mug, and a stickers pack. Choose the bundle only if you will actually use most of it; otherwise the notebook or mug alone is the cleaner purchase.
Decision rules for buying Under The Waves
- Buy it if you want a grief-driven story: The game is explicitly about the engulfing power of grief and Stan's struggle to embrace a new future. If that subject matter appeals to you, the core promise is clear. Choose this when the emotional arc is the reason you play games.
- Skip it if you need fast action: The supplied description frames Under The Waves as a narrative-driven adventure, not an action game. Nothing in the catalog facts promises combat, difficulty spikes, or competitive modes. Pick a different title if you want adrenaline over atmosphere.
- Confirm your platform before checkout: Under The Waves is sold with a Platform option type. The version you receive depends on the platform you select, so match it to the device you actually play on. Platform first, price second.
- Treat the price gap as a tiebreaker, not a trigger: The catalog price is USD 22.49 against a catalog comparison price of USD 29.99. That difference is real, but it does not change whether the game suits your taste. Buy because the story fits, not because the number is lower.
Product facts
- Under The Waves: Under The Waves is a narrative-driven adventure game about the engulfing power of grief, set in the depths of the North Sea in a techno-futuristic 1970s, following professional diver Stan. This tells you the game is story and atmosphere first, so buy it for the emotional arc rather than for combat or challenge.
- Quantic Dream Notebook: The Quantic Dream Notebook is a matte journal with a Quantic blue elastic and pen holder, dotted grid pages, and three double-sided full-color glossy detachable artworks from Detroit: Become Human, Beyond: Two Souls, and Heavy Rain. It gives you a place to keep notes or sketches while playing, and the detachable artworks make it a display item as well as a usable journal.
- Quantic Dream Mug: The Quantic Dream Mug is a 100% ceramic mug featuring the Quantic Dream studio logo and is microwaveable. It is a low-maintenance desk item for long story sessions, and microwaveable means reheating a drink does not require a second cup.
- Quantic Dream Studio Merch Bundle: The Quantic Dream Studio Merch Bundle includes one beanie or cap at your choice, one t-shirt, one notebook, one mug, and one stickers pack. It is the efficient option if you want several Quantic Dream items together, but it only makes sense if you will use most of the contents.
Who Under The Waves is for
Best for
- Players who want a slow, atmospheric narrative about loss and solitude
- Fans of story-first adventure games set in unusual, specific worlds
- Quantic Dream collectors who want a companion piece for their desk or shelf
Not for
- Players who need combat, high difficulty, or fast-paced action
- Anyone looking for a long campaign with extensive side content
- Buyers who cannot confirm which platform option they are purchasing
