In Other Waters

very bueno

Gameplay gets a bit tedious and boring, but the message is clear and an important one too. This game was a nice one.

A game for those who prefer good narratives more than anything else. Don't let it's simplicity fool you, the music still is more than capable of compensating for its lackluster visuals when it comes to presentacion and immersion.
If you find the whole marine biology aspect boring, you don't have to go out of your way to collect all the samples to finish the story and it's a very good (albeit simple) story.
8/10 - buy it if you think marine sonars are cool.

I got it on sale for 2$ and my only regret is that it isn't longer. Good story and it feels like you really are an exobiologist going through a vast ocean by yourself. It may feel repetitive at times but that's actually part of how methodic real research is, so for me that's more realistic that bothersome, besides, they don't make you write a thesis or fill applications for a grant to keep finding new species and traveling through this giant planet so I think it actually keeps the realism just enough to not become frustrating.

It may not be everybody's cup of tea but it certainly is mine. I would buy a DLC or download any update to this. It's really short so if you're on a budget, wait for an offer.

claustrophic but beautiful :))

I haven't played too much of this yet but the premise and the gameplay focus and just the insane amounts of attention to detail are making this one of my favorite games ever. I looovee how inmersive it feels to slowly discover different species and see EV's sketches and theories of them. The gameplay so far is slow but in a good way, its not tedious at all even when backtracking and I love to see what EV's comments on the locations we go to or the things we encounter. Im so excited to see how things progress omgge


edit after beating the game: oh my god

Not my cup of tea, also I couldn't get into the characters. Yet is undeniable that is a well done game. Buy it, try it, give it a chance. If you don't like it ask for a refund.

A lovely game with a strong message. In a very similar sense as Abzu , In Other Waters has a story focused on environmental conservation. Possible the only critique I have is the jarring lack of tutorials of any sort. Even something as simple as controls take considerable time to figure out. Until about the half-way point in the story, I had no idea what I was doing and why. Other than that, [i ]In Other Waters [/i] has been a great experience.

A beautiful, story driven, text based game. Not been this hooked or this immersed in something so simple in a long, long time. I'd say more, but discovering what this game actually contains is half the fun I had. Not too sure about replayability, will have to give it a go in a few months, but I think it'll be pretty good the second time, too.

It's quite amazing how the sound and story (and amazing UI design) can feed your imagination while playing this game. One of the best games I've played.

This game is unique, and very story-driven. A really interesting exploration mystery, simple but very effective graphics. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Amazing Game.

Great calm game that has a fun premise and unique interface

I don't know what it is about this game that I love so deeply. Maybe it's the fact that I love studying biology and xenobiology, maybe it's the allure of an unknown world, maybe it's the rush of feeling you get when you discover something new whether it be good or bad, maybe it's the feeling of wanting to know more of this fascinating world's secrets. Seeing such a beautiful place through the lens of an AI wasn't something I thought I would enjoy, because you can't technically *see* what you're looking at beyond a colored indicator, but it makes every discovery and every piece of data you collect feel like an achievement. A lot of folks I've seen called the gameplay loop tedious, and maybe it is for some, but for me it felt like a scientific adventure until the end.

If any other game from this team gets a sequel, especially with the upcoming Citizen Sleeper 2, I desperately, longingly hope that it's this one. It has so much potential, and I would gladly play many more hours.

I think it's a cute concept. I was hoping for something with more Subnautica style, but I got Subnautica vibes, which got me content. I think my game is bugged? Cause I went through every map with fine comb AND a series of maps found on steam, and it still tells me I'm only 92% done. It also won't stop showing a bubble for a tail in Dunes. I picked it up twice, just in case. Won't even accept some of my findings. So that's probably where the other 8% is. Shame for the bug. But I had a fun few hours here, so I recommend trying it out.

Best of all exploration games. Worthy, unique storytelling

Reminds me of the old text based games. Very simple interface and graphics. Music is nice. The advertisement graphic makes it look like Subnautica or No Mans Sky, but the game-play advertisement graphics are spot on. It's not something you play for visual appeal, but the story and world are exceptionally engrossing. I'm only a few hours in and I'm very interested to see more. So far, if you like games that play more like a story, and less like a movie... you'll probably find this engaging.

Once I've got more time in, I'll update. Tentative yes recommendation because I can't comment without making a choice.

What a masterclass of Graphic Design this game is! In Other Waters takes a brutally simple design philosophy and masterfully uses simple shapes and colors to portray a vibrant, alien ocean planet. The amount of work put too into the writing for this game is astounding. Every plant and animal in this game has 3 sequential logs, unlocked by finding pertinent samples in the world, and a sketch, your only look into what the inhabitants of this world may look like. This research is COMPLETELY OPTIONAL, and not hard to do; required sample locations are marked on the map following the discovery of a creature.

This game's story is gripping at times, and tells the folly of greed and corporate control of nature and it's resources. To note: I found this game did become tedious at times, especially traversing the map multiple times to find all the research items. Again, just following the story path may be preferred for some.

This game is a purely explorational experience, with some inventory management moments. Play if you want a chill, mouse-only story experience.

An incredible story. I felt so trapped, in the good way.

I understand why some might find the gameplay tedious, but it feels in coherence with its context. Science is not just discovery after discovery, it takes a lot of repetition, and a lot of wandering in the dark.

In Other Waters is an experience I won't stop recommending.

Has a lot to offer, especially for what is basically a text based adventure game

A very memorable experience!
I came in expecting a straightforward exploration and scientific game, I came out heartstrings pulled, eyes welling up, and imagination cracked open.
Just goes to show that you don't need realistic graphics and voice acting to make an engaging and immersive game, as long as you have nice mechanics, a consistent aesthetic, and really good writing and pacing.
Highly recommend for anyone who likes world-building and sci-fi, especially if you really like marine biology for obvious reasons.
Just amazing and inspiring!

charming little game that i enjoyed a lot! loved exploring this world.

Brilliant little game! As someone studying marine biology, this game hit very close to home. I left it feeling inspired and invigorated-- big recommend to anyone fascinated with speculative biology and the ocean!

//Soundtracks a banger too fyi//

definitely give it a go if you like interesting user interfaces and speculative biology/xenobiology. i had a blast with this.

fantastic framework to tell the story

Honestly, this is a tough game, but it is very lovely because it's so atmospheric, and you're essentially seeing things through the xenobiologist that you're carrying within you (you're a marine exosuit). The biologist describes things around you, and exclaims at interesting things, and you're living vivaciously through her.

It's such a unique kind of game that it became an instant classic for me. I loved the aspects that built up the atmosphere, like the music, visuals, and of course, the descriptions given by the biologist that you're escorting around the oceans of the alien planet.

I found the method of navigation to be nerve-wracking, especially when you're searching for oxygen to keep your human alive. If it weren't for the encyclopedia of the alien flora and fauna that you can fill up, I'd say just play the main storyline.

But there's just a certain nostalgia that will forever keep me dreaming of returning, and that's the staying power that I search for in the games I play.

Overall, recommended for the atmosphere, and enjoying the journey, but also the destination. 🙃

I don't even know how to review this game - I just know that I love it.

It's slow, methodical, atmospheric, gives an incredible sense of huge, open, interesting spaces - just you as the AI in a dive suit, falling in love with this alien world right alongside your dive suit's occupant, an experienced xenobiologist chasing the mysteries of this place.

TLDR - Game is worth the money! The story IS excellent, twists and turns, mystery, tragedy, hope - I'm always fiending for non-violent sci-fi stories, they're such a minority in the genre. If you need an excuse to sink into some real slow vibes, to get out of your head, dream of a beautiful alien world, and don't mind the thalassaphobia of being permanently underwater at various depths for the whole game, you'll be richly rewarded.

The game is text-heavy, slow and ponderous in its execution of movement and music, that it basically forces you to adapt to its pace. A great game for a day when you have to take it easy, if you're sick or recovering from smth. Took me about 9 hours to 100% it, so it might take you 5 hours if you rush the plot.

Accessibility -
There are no options. At all. No audio sliders to separate music and SFX. No colorblindness options (I'd honestly love to see a totally-black-and-white version made with just shades of grey). No way to slow down or speed up the text box arrival and leaving times - you can click the box to skip the built-in 4-second timer till it auto-advances, but that's all.

The Escape key is your pause button - the pause screen allows you to quit to menu, read the message log of what EV has said, or resume the game. It also explains the keyboard shortcuts of space, W, and ctrl. You can save and quit the game at any time, like a visual novel, but to get EV back to base, you have to first find the terminal for the area. While exploring, I did once experience EV hitting zero oxygen. The suit auto-rescued her, so I didn't lose any progress or items. If you have the terminal for the area, it puts you at Base, but if not, it puts you back at the last Waystation, since that's where you can return to resupply oxygen and fuel.


Trypophobia might be set off by the yellow dots representing lifeforms clinging to rocks - peep the official trailer on Steam to see what they look like. The sketches can be sort of gross to look at, in a crab-lettuce-mushroom sort of way, but those sketches are entirely avoidable in-game. The artbook is basically full-color versions of said sketches, tho. Standard alien biology weirdness.
Thalassaphobia is unavoidable here. Threat of drowning is definitely present, but definitely preventable, with planning - bring extra samples in the suit for the dangerous dives, you can feed them to your oxygen or energy tanks to top up. The game also offers sufficient sample spots to use as refueling on the plot-required route.

There's some real existentialism, moral quandaries, references to a lifeless Earth, the standard space colonization themes, so I'd recommend this game to ages 13 and up. I'd actually recommend this especially to depressed teenagers, the message of hope and vibe of calm are so strong, could actually help someone...

It is possible to play with a controller, but even as a controller-preferring gamer myself, I gotta say, this one works best with mouse and keyboard. All you'll need is space, W, and Ctrl, and the mouse to move, left-click and hold, no right click or scroll button. With controller, moving the big ball around the circle with the left stick was UNPLEASANT, it jittered constantly and wouldn't settle where I wanted it to, so, had to switch to mouse.

Gameplay -
What you see in the store page's official images IS the entire game. There's the Base where the human EV lives, and there's the ocean world. You'll always see that HUD - it'll change colors sometimes for dramatic effect, but never disappear.

There's only one side mission, that covers the whole game - to observe the alien life, and collect specimens about them, totally optional of course.

Movement and exploring is well-tutorialized at the start, so to follow the main path, you'll be well prepared.

The Base has several layers, most are decorative. You'll care most about Bay and Lab. At Bay, you choose to move items from Suit storage to Base storage, and leave on a new dive. In the Lab, you take items from Base storage and scan them.

How the Taxonomy Lab works - first, you must observe the creature in the ocean, several different ones around the same area, and wait to hear EV name it. (At this point, you can read the first page of the notes on the lifeform back at the Lab.) THEN you can pick up the two objects related to the creature, and scan them back at Base. Scanning objects before EV has named the species results in the scan failing. (that gaddang pillar worm...) You can put those unknown objects into Storage at the Base, and scan them later. Nothing rots or dissolves in this game. The game puts a /-slash sign over the object in the Taxonomy Scanner once you've successfully scanned it. So those pieces, and any further copies of them, can all go back to the Suit; just drag and drop back in Bay. To be discarded into the environment, or dragged over to the Oxygen or Energy spots for a refill.

I found great comfort in going into dangerous dives with my suit's collection box packed with high-value, already-scanned objects that I was able to use, far from home, for a replenish.

Music? Stellar. Art? Stellar. Real good synergy with the minimalism and chill vibes.

You don't need a TLDR, I put it at the top! LOL

PS - Just a note on the DLC artbook - it is intended for reading post-game, has some plot spoilers.

It takes some time to get into the flow of the controls. Once that's out of the way the game is very meditative and relaxing. It's not fast or flashy.

Also the music at the base is atmospheric af. It reminds me of the map on the Normandy in Mass Effect

I enjoyed playing the game, it has an interesting format and intriguing plot. At times it was slow, and I had a hard time figuring out where to look for things. Also I am very motivated by achievements and there are none for this game so I would get slightly unmotivated when I got stuck/confused lol. Overall pretty cool though!

Overall good. An unfair description would be "minimalist walking simulator Subnautica". 3 out of 5 as a game. 4 out of 5 as a concept.

I did not enjoy the first 30 minutes of the game at all (scan, move, scan, repeat) but eventually I got into the mood of it, taking one "dive" each day, spacing out the story. It felt like some aspects (the prelude to the ending and the collection mechanic) had undergone some revision during development, but the narrative was well thought out.

bought on sale unsure of what the game would be like to play. really enjoyed my time with it. felt like an oldschool Mudd but with a ui. 10/10

Love this game has just the right control design

what a beautiful game T_T

I think In Other Waters is the perfect example of when someone has a really cool idea for a game, genuinely seems to sink a LOT of time into making it, the world around it, the aesthetics...
Only for that game to run head first into the giant brick wall of "This is an interesting gameplay mechanic, but it's incredibly tedious." And maybe that's part of the point, but it does make it hard to recommend. The "Gameplay" isn't there in the sense most might like, but I found myself immersed in it nonetheless. While the narrative is interesting, I think it gets a bit 'loose' towards the end, unsatisfying maybe? Finishes too quickly? And I personally believe that's just a product of how the game plays. I think the people/person who made this game realised that this kind of gameplay can only go on for so long before you get tired of it, and so wraps it up when they do. That's not to say the story is incomplete, it isn't, but I just wish I got another hour out of it, for things to simmer a little more in the mystery.

So with that out of the way, lets get to rambling!

Genuinely, I think what the developer(s) had going on here is a FANTASTIC base for a game. There's something so unique about having the player see and interact with the world in a limited way, while having their view INTO the world you inhabit seen through different eyes. You're an AI in a suit. You don't... see things the same way the person wearing the suit. You see lines, dots, triangles, topography maps, lifesupport meters, all the utilitarian stuff. You are someone's body, their eyes, in your own way. Just like they are yours, in their own way.
I love Ellery's view into the world. It's great. The best part of this game is going out of your way to scan things, collect samples, and try to understand the world the best you can while using Ellery's research notes and sketches into a really well thought out and interesting alien world. ACtual thought went into the roles of how creatures all take part in their own ecosystems, even if just in a narrative sense, and I think some games that want to emulate alien ecosystems could do with taking a page from this game's book and putting a lot more thought into how their fauna and flora interact.

It's... a chill game. There isn't much to it other than clicking, dragging, clicking, dragging, and the very rare resource management and puzzle solving. It is, mostly, a narrative experience, with nice art, an interesting gmimick, and *really* cozy music. I want another game like this, in a similar style. Oh, to be the AI, unsure of why it exists, but just... simply is, seeing the world through a different lens that a person does.

Pick it up if you feel like doing a LOT of reading. And you're okay with... a lot of clicking and dragging and clicking and dragging and waiting and clicking being the vehicle for a fairly short, if not decent story with some good vibes.

Sometimes, I'll switch my view to the bottom deck, sonar, wait for Ellery to walk into the observation room and sit there, watching spores and alien life flitter past on the sonar. My eyes, the sonar, is different to her eyes... but yet, I share this quiet, ponderous moment with her. Staring aimless into an alien sea, through different lenses. I think that's why I like this game so much, I find I get this kind of nerd shit out of games a lot nowadays.

I've thoroughly enjoyed this from start to end. I find the way they showed the world to be fascinating, along with how you come across certain things (and learn more about them) in the oceans of Gliese 667Cc, to be such an adventure. There are times of tranquillity, yet some area are more unnerving. There's lots to discover, and the way to go about it allowe me to sink into the world as if I were there myslef. I highly recommend this game, especially to those who like to explore a world that feeels alive.

It starts slow, then gets more interesting. But even when the story got exciting, the gameplay still was tedious.
And it abruptly ended without satisfying answers or resolutions to anything.

This is a rare case of a game that really does genuinely need a sequel. The gameplay mechanics are just so, SO tight and work so, SO well with the story. I've never been more happy to essentially be blind while playing a game.

I'm not sure I can even really explain why this game spoke to me so much, but it did.

This game is mostly text, so if you don't like visual novels be warned. It is also fairly easy and I only had to go back to base for more resources at one point near the end.
Also, the game is very short. I think the price is worth it, though.

That being said, this game's vibe is so good. The music and the UI work so well together and help a lot with the tone. The detailed flora and fauna logs are so fun to read, and the accompanying sketches are very fun.
The story was good enough to give me chills a few times, and I really liked how it is left open at the end.

Immaculate.

one of the best gaems i have ever played, thank you for this masterpiece of gorgeous story telling and creative gameplay.

A hauntingly beautiful story about ecology, conservation and queer love. I'm a sucker for excellent worldbuilding, and this game is nothing but worldbuilding, exploring and cataloguing a brand new alien ecosystem - all seen without any actual visuals, only your sensors and the (remarkably detailed) descriptions your pilot narrates. Emotional stories featuring artificial intelligence are very much my jam too, and it's a novel and delightful experience to be playing as an AI, assisting the person who would normally be the protagonist. I think the game gains a lot from it: Ellery isn't just a self-insert for the player, she's a full and complete character in her own right, and you get to uncover her story as you uncover the secrets of the planet.

I really can't recommend this game enough, and I wish there were more like it. The closest I can think of is Heaven's Vault, which I'd also recommend to anyone who played and enjoyed this.

I really enjoyed slowly unwrapping the story, the UI was beautiful and the way the HUD changed as you moved to different areas felt so intuitive. The discovery and exploring was really interesting with fun mechanics and environments. Honestly didn't expect this to take as long as it did, I am a slow gamer but I didn't expect there to be so much to explore. Really satisfying. Will say though reading speed matters in this game, if your a slow reader this game will be somewhat harder, there is some content you may miss out on. However all the major story points you have plenty of time to read, so I wouldn't let that put you off too much! All in all wonderful game.

In Other Waters is quite frankly one of the best games I've played this year.

It utilises minimalist graphics and gameplay features to deliver a beautiful story and paint a picture of an alien world. You play as an AI controlling a suit, you guide a biologist through the waters of this planet and uncover not only the rich marine life of an oceanic planet, but also the history of the planet, and why you're there.

It's beautiful, it's well-made, the limitations are leaned into fantastically in a way that immerses you more in the game's world and settles you into the role you play in the story.

I loved this. Nearly eight hours of gameplay, and I'd play it all again just to have a new appreciation of earlier parts knowing what I do now. You could definitely take more or less time to play the game, and it can easily be played on a laptop whilst you're on holiday and bored. It's excellent.

As well, the attention to detail in the taxonomy, the way everything is well-described and put together in a way that just looks like an actual biologist's notes? It's fantastic. Part of the reason I kept coming back to this was just to read these entries, and discover more creatures. The sketches you unlock are especially interesting, giving you an actual visual of what these creatures are after only seeing them described. You put the work in, and you get to finally see what these things you've been helping study are.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this game.

Expectations were high, the waters were deep,
Promised adventure, but I fell asleep.
The reviews sang praise of the grand ocean floor,
But playing along, it was nothing but bore.

The currents, they whispered of danger ahead,
Yet all that I found was a yawn instead.
No creatures to chase, no thrill to be found,
Just irksome tedium, no treasures around.

And here I now float, adrift in my dreams,
Where the game is as thrilling as it first seemed.
But alas, awake, it was nothing to keep—
Expectations were high, but I fell asleep.

ZZZzzz... 😴

A really nice narrative game. It pulls right back to the barest core gameplay, and builds a really nice world and story around it. The music is beautiful, and the graphics, while minimal, are nice. My only complaint would be that it would have been nice to include the illustrations within the game scan, rather than a separate enclyclopaedia back at base.

Something about this game stuck out to me when I was browsing the Steam store.

Usually I play games only if they have achievements, but this one was different enough. A game about underwater exploration as a scientist. Okay...we'll try this out.

Turns out this game was more mentally and emotionally investing than appears on the surface.

In Other Waters plays like a visual novel, point and click, maze-like game with tons of lore on the ecosystem and a backstory that you will have to discover on your own, as that's the crux and the reason for the gameplay itself. I found that by the end of the game I wished it had been just a bit longer, but the length was reasonable for a game like this.

You get to catalogue different creatures and bacteria, take notes on their roles in the local ecosystem, and how their relationships with other fungus and inhabitants of Gliese667Cc function.

If you are looking for something with a meaningful story, a decent amount of lore, and not a too-taxing amount of backtracking and exploration (think of a plot map,) then you should generally enjoy this game. More than any of the other previously mentioned features, the story of Ellery Vas and her discoveries on this planet is the biggest takeaway, and it will leave you with a strong impression.

Please enjoy the story.

Very cool game that really cares about ecology, biology, environmental science... The ecosystem is lovingly crafted and makes sense in ways that sci-fi rarely cares to. All equipment feels realistic and needed and is satisfying to operate. Very well balanced in providing a sense of exploration while avoiding feeling repetitive or tedious. The story is captivating and carries a message that resonates with me. Beautiful visually too in a minimalistic, satisfying way.

Enjoyed this game! Author had great pacing throughout... learning the controls, navigating the maps and descriptions (almost D&D-like in the way a description paints the picture for you), encountering and overcoming constraints, building the taxonomy of things, obtaining and using new "skills", Once navigating, etc. became more formulaic the plot pace increased and expanded orders of magnitude. Relaxing fun.
If you don't enjoy reading or purposely having to stub your toe a few times to learn a mechanic you may not enjoy it. If you are a botanist at heart or think you'd enjoy a more cerebral and text-based Avatar-ish story than this may be just the right game for you.

It's a pretty good game.

It took a little bit to get used to the gameplay. Coming off of other videogames with a million mechanics and stats and things you need to watch out for this game brought me back somewhat to flash games with the benefit of a weird amount of immersion aided by the gorgerous UI and amazing sound design.

The story might not be everyone's cup of tea. Our protagonist is a self described depressed biologist out on a wild goose chase looking for someone with the only lead being their call, minor amount of drama ensues. Personally I did enjoy the story and found it interesting to see what happens next.

The environment is abstract on your UI map including the numerous alien species you will scan and study along your journey. During my playthrough initially I thought that I had to scan everything in an area before moving on but as you progress the story you'll acquire a few upgrades that are completely necessary for achieving that goal so ideally don't waste 3 hours in the first are like me. The descriptions of the aliens are gorgerous and the writters really nailed the writing there its extremely realistic in a way it didn't even need to be.

This game, atleast to me with my sound system felt weirdly immersive especially a few hours in once we got down to the lower dephts. As someone with thalasophobia I expected that to be triggered but it never was. Sound design is stellar.

Slight criticism I have is of the lack of a menu to mute the music, I don't dislike the ost its just repeating alot when you are exploring a certain area and I would rather keep just the ambience instead. There was also some strange issue with one of the biological samples in the first area where the laboratory didn't seem to scan it despite having two pieces and clicking them one after another. Fixed itself seemengly because later in the game I backtracked to get 100% and took another simple which worked this time.

I am not sure if this was intended that I had to close the game and open it back after getting 100% for the final sequence of conversations and cutscene->credits to trigger.

Overall would reccomend for people that like to read and have a little bit of patience as well as those that enjoy staring at UI.