Under: Depths of Fear

As a fan of sinking ship stories and horror games similar to 'Alien: Isolation' which sees players in a remote and claustrophobic environment being chased by unkillable horrors, 'Under: Depths of Fear' sets the stage well with a truly fantastic premise: you're Alexander, a traumatized WW1 victim suffering from extreme shell-shock who's sailing on an ocean liner, only for said liner to suddenly be torpedoed. Abandoned and left to die, you now have to make your way to safety, but you're constantly being stalked by mysterious entities from your past... not to mention that the ship itself is seemingly set against you escaping. But shortly after the game starts proper, it quickly became clear that the premise is pretty much all 'Under' has going for it. Gamplay in 'Under' has you making your way through the ship, finding keys to unlock doors, hiding from enemies, and trying to avoid drowning as the ship slowly but steadily sinks around you. It sounds great, but is brought down by tedious, trial-and-error gameplay. There's only one way through each level, and until you figure it out you'll constantly die, restart, and try to make just a little more progress than before. There's no in-game map or features to help you (like having vital items give off a faint glow), and there's no compass or help to be had on what you're supposed to do or where to go. This isn't a problem most of the time, but there are a few points (like the morgue) where I got so frustrated that I gave up and had to resort to an online walkthrough to figure out what the hell I was supposed to do. This trial-and-error approach is particularly bad in the final area of the game, as simply walking towards the wrong door can result in an instant game over as you're ambushed by a wall of incoming water. 'Under' also has a bad habit of not properly explaining gameplay mechanics. I didn't learn that certain (unmarked) items could be pushed until after I had drowned and the loading screen told me so. At another point, you're being chased by a monster and told that doors can be closed to slow the creature down. Fair enough, but only a few doors can be closed, and they're hard to identify when you're running for your life. Some mechanics are never explained at all - such as that you can extinguish a match before it burns out and then re-light it later, and that revolvers can shoot out locks on gates - and some of the hints are nonsensical (in an early level, you're told that there might be a way out of a flooding deck underwater - turns out you're just supposed to crouch down and go under a locked gate to go up some stairs). When all of this is coupled with the cramped, maze-like levels (the in-universe architect who designed this ship was clearly high on cocaine), 'Under' quickly becomes a tedious experience, rather than a horrifying one. 'Under' has a fantastic premise, good graphics, some very moody environments, and a few effective jump scares, but its tedious trial-and-error gameplay, lack of direction, and frustrating gameplay mechanics just aren't worth it. If you can pick 'Under' up for under $5.00, it might be worth trying once if you like sinking-ship stories and horror games, but for everyone else, it's not worth getting.

Terror On the Sea - "Under: Depths of Fear" - Review Overall Rating : 6/10 "Under: Depths of Fear," developed by Globiss Interactive, is a survival horror game that plunges players into the depths of an WW1 ship teeming with darkness, danger, and dread. With its atmospheric setting and emphasis on psychological horror, Under: Depths of Fear aims to deliver a spine-chilling experience that tests the limits of courage and sanity. Immersive Atmosphere : 7/10 The atmospheric design of Under: Depths of Fear is its standout feature. The eerie ambiance of the ship, coupled with dim lighting and claustrophobic environments, effectively sets the stage for a terrifying journey. The sense of isolation and vulnerability is palpable, drawing players deeper into the depths of fear. Narrative Depth : 6/10 While Under: Depths of Fear sets the stage for a compelling narrative, the execution falls short of its potential. The story unfolds through environmental storytelling and scattered documents, revealing glimpses of the dark past and the horrors that lurk within. However, the narrative lacks cohesion and fails to fully engage players in the overarching plot. Gameplay Mechanics : 6/10 Under: Depths of Fear combines exploration, puzzle-solving, and stealth mechanics to create tension-filled gameplay. Players must navigate the treacherous corridors of the ship while avoiding deadly threats and uncovering clues to unravel the mystery. While the gameplay mechanics are serviceable, they may feel derivative and lack innovation compared to other entries in the survival horror genre. Audio Design : 6/10 The audio design of Under: Depths of Fear effectively enhances the atmosphere and tension. From subtle ambient noises to spine-chilling sound effects, the audio elements contribute to the overall sense of dread and unease. Visuals and Graphics : 6/10 Visually, Under: Depths of Fear delivers a mixed experience. While the environmental design and lighting effects create a foreboding atmosphere, the character models and textures may lack polish and detail. The visual fidelity, while sufficient for conveying the game's themes, may not impress players accustomed to more visually stunning horror titles. Conclusion : 6/10 Under: Depths of Fear offers a chilling and atmospheric experience that effectively captures the essence of survival horror. While its narrative and gameplay mechanics may lack originality and depth, the game succeeds in delivering tense moments and spine-tingling scares. For fans of the genre looking for a brief but immersive horror experience, Under: Depths of Fear provides a journey into the depths of fear that is worth exploring, albeit with tempered expectations.

I had this game in my library for the longest time... and then one day I was cleaning house and MaddVlad and his YouTube show "The Outer Middle Show" was playing in the background... and I heard him get the absolute life scared out of him. Instantly downloaded it and made it the game for the stream that night. I will say I wasn't disappointed either. There was some creepy aspects in the game... and even instances that made me jump. The gramophones were awesome because of how demonic they sounded while they were playing the messages. The story throughout and ending were very nicely done too. The rising water also added some anxiety to finding what you needed to solve the issues at hand too... so prepare yourself for some pressure... lol.

A Disappointing Dive: Under Depths of Fear Review Under Depths of Fear left me struggling to find words, making it tough to write a regular review. I played through the game, but it was a real challenge. It took me two hours, and honestly, it was almost sickening. This game feels like a massive waste of time. The main idea is okay—you have to escape a sinking ship with rising water and solve puzzles along the way. However, there are problems, like puzzles not working because the game doesn't understand your inputs, especially with turning locks. Plus, all the puzzles are the same for the entire two hours. It's like doing the same thing over and over again. You basically spend your time checking doors. If a door is open, you go through. If it's not, you look for a key or code for a lock. It's a boring cycle that lasts the entire game. It's hard to believe someone thought this would be a good game. Apart from the gameplay problems, the story doesn't grab your attention. Listening to records or reading letters in the game becomes really hard with such a dull story. The ending doesn't make things better, offering no redemption for the tough journey. Under Depths of Fear is just not a good game. It should have been tested more before being released on platforms like Steam. The uninteresting story and repetitive gameplay make it a painful experience. I strongly suggest not playing this game—it's just not worth your time.

I bought this game thinking that i would be thrilled and enriched whilst playing. But after 12 minutes of playtime i ♥♥♥♥ myself in pure fear

2/10

Или игра действительно безумно плоха, багована, или она попала мне в руки не в то время. Ощущение, как будто приобрел просроченный товар

このゲームは日本語に対応していなかったが、安かったので買った。 異国が舞台の脱出ゲームアトラクションのような感じで楽しめた。 言葉が理解できないので、面白さは半減してしまったとは思うけど、 出来ることは限られているので、色々試せば先に進むことが出来た。 言葉が理解できない為か、その分、仕掛けが理不尽だとは感じます。 多少の英単語くらいは理解できないと、結構難しいかもしれないです。 夏の時期には、このようなホラーゲームも少し良さそうだと思います。

An amazing game had a jubilant time, very spine-chilling and eerie, The detail was very aristocratic and highly recommend.

一人称視点のサイコホラー 時代は第一次世界大戦 敵の攻撃を受け、沈没しつつある客船から脱出するのが目的です ゲームは謎解きメインで、一部アクションもあります 沈没する船らしく、海水から逃げるシーンが何度もあります 良い緊張感を味わえました ただ、けっこう初見56しもあります もうちょっと難易度は易しめがいいと個人的には思います レビューの評価が賛否両論だったので、あまり期待せずに始めたのですが面白かったです 最後の締めも良かった 気になる方はセールの時にでも ※リリースから月日が経ってるのでセールの時にはお得に購入できます PS XUnity.AutoTranslatorでリアルタイム翻訳ができました