In Other Waters (Nintendo Switch)
Official GBAtemp Review
Product Information:
- Release Date (NA): April 3, 2020
- Release Date (EU): April 3, 2020
- Publisher: Fellow Traveller
- Developer: Jump Over The Age
- Genres: Adventure, Exploration
- Also For: Computer
Game Features:
I was born and raised on a tropical island surrounded by the ocean. Nevertheless, I’m weary of the ocean’s depth and unexplored spaces, even if I’m intrigued by its vastness and biodiversity. So when a game offered to explore uncharted seas of an alien planet, I was, of course, compelled to try it out.
In Other Waters starts with Dr. Ellery Vas, a xenobiologist, stranded on the alien planet Gliese 677Cc, after following a message from her colleague Dr. Minae Nomura. Equipped with an old diving suit and an A.I. to guide her, Ellery sets out to find Minae in this newfound land covered in water.
Along the way, she will discover advanced life forms - the first signs of such outside of the decaying Earth Dr. Vas came form - and will study those as her search continues. However, as Ellery progresses, she’ll learn that this alien planet is less alien than she initially thought (no, they’re not pulling a Planet of Apes ending but something different) and hides a darker secret that you will have to help her uncover.
The major narrative twist is that from the get-go, you aren’t in control of Ellery but rather the A.I. that laid dormant prior to her arrival. You will have to help her navigate the uncharted waters, collect samples of the local fauna and flora, as well as keep her safe during her search.
Controlling the A.I. is done in a rather innovative way. You have to scan the area you are in and find vectors where Ellery can move towards and that’s how you travel across waters and discover new areas. While scanning you will also discover life forms which you can take samples of for Ellery to study back in the Gliese 677Cc Base. Some of these will even be crucial in helping you progress.
The unconventional approach to the controls comes with a slightly steep learning curve, which might feel redundant at times: scan, select vector, move there, repeat. You’ll also have to get used to the 2D aesthetic, minimalist in nature, and what represents what; differently-shaped white spots are undocumented vectors or life form and turn yellow once they've been selected. It’s definitely slow paced and there’s but In Other Waters is really a game you'd want to let it sink in rather than rush through.
It’s a stark contrast from the run-and-gun template of typical AAA games. In this indie title, there is no combat or violence of any kind. Heck, you don’t even die if you run out of oxygen but respawn to the closest safe point, thanks to an automated drone extraction system. This does not mean that In Other Waters is devoid of challenge. It starts off safe and slow, but challenges sprout once you get in toxic waters or other areas your rebreather can’t sustain oxygen provision and you’ll have to rely on your limited oxygen reserve.
So as not to lose any progress and backtrack, you will have to manage Ellery’s dive. When low on oxygen supply, you will have to compromise with a boost that uses up some oxygen stores but gets you faster to a safe destination. If you’ve explored the seas of Gliese 677Cc and analyzed its submarine life, you will see how resourceful these life forms can be. Certain marine life you’ve sampled allows you to clear paths or even stimulate some fauna to create safe zones amidst toxic waters. The challenges are certainly low-key but the experience is focused on exploration and the extensive narrative on Gliese 677Cc’s life and secrets.
Even after completing the main storyline and the credits roll, you can continue to complete Ellery’s side quests. These mostly revolve around going to a specific area on the map to extract samples of life forms to complete your Pokédex biological analyses. You will be able to explore new areas thanks to previously unavailable tools like the Torch which allows you to cut through doors and access locked areas. This will give you additional incentive to plunge into Gliese 677Cc’s oceans and appreciate the minimalist, top-down aesthetic drowned in soothing tunes that all appropriately condense to make for a memorable experience. However, these side quests do feel more of the same while being in different environments.
One of the highlights of the game, on par with the title’s overall concept for me, is the audio score. Composed by Amos Roddy, the electronic/synth BGM sets the overall mood of In Other Waters. As you guide Ellery across the alien waters, the tunes adapt to the situation - upbeat in toxic waters; calmer in deeper zones; soothing in safe areas. In Other Waters’ audio is an integral part of the game and I could just let the game run, without touching the controls, just so I could appreciate the melodies. As soon as I finished the game, I looked for the playlist on Spotify and bingo! Found and saved! Vinyl version for when?
In Other Waters is out now for PCs and Switch. The latter feels like a natural fit to the game and it’s the version I would recommend, even if I came across framerate issues sporadically. It’s quite surprising given the minimalist philosophy that the visuals abide by.
Nevertheless, if you do get the Switch version, I would urge you to detach the Joy-Cons (if you own the OG Switch), plug in your best earphones, use the touch controls and immerse yourself in the unique experience that In Other Waters has to offer.
In Other Waters - Launch Trailer
Verdict
- Audio score
- Innovative controls, adapted to Switch’s touchscreen
- Narrative design
- Minimalist aesthetic
- Controls can get tricky
- Dips in framerate in Switch version at certain points
- Side quests feel more of the same
