IN OTHER WATERS Review: An Enlightening Journey Into The Deep

Nintendo Switch code provided by Jump Over the Age

Indie adventure In Other Waters from developer Jump Over the Age and publisher Fellow Traveller is a compelling science-fiction narrative that condenses an otherworldly story into a minimalist design like a depth charge in a Sol LeWitt wall drawing.

The exploration game—which releases on April 3rd for the Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam—is the culmination of one man’s efforts. Gareth Damian Martin, the creative mind behind Jump Over the Age, has designed, created, and written In Other Waters after years of working in games journalism, graphic design and experimental literature. That varied professional expertise has coalesced into one mesmeric gaming experience.

As the scientific team navigates the planet-spanning ocean of Gliese 677Cc, discover what makes us human in the most alien of places.

STORY

In Other Waters centers on the relationship between xenobiologist Ellery Vas and an unknown AI that controls her exo-suit. On Gliese 677Cc, these two are discovering and researching the alien lifeforms scattered throughout the ocean. But while that search for knowledge reveals much about the planet and the life that flourishes there, Ellery’s intentions are not so objective. She’s searching for her fellow scientist, Minae Nomura, who is missing. And further study of the fascinating creatures and living things that inhabit Gliese 677Cc will unlock the mysteries of the planet and the reasoning behind Minae’s disappearance.

You play as the computer AI, but the narrative substance—and the superb writing by Gareth Damian Martin—emanates from Ellery as her observations of the world around her. The scientist guards her pained past, but it also informs her understanding of the alien life and the implications of her scientific work on the planet.

The xenobiologist stumbles through the dark, and her story is representative of so many others, and In Other Waters shines brightest when the player can simply read through the illustrative and poetic descriptions that Ellery employs to record the alien life… and her own connection to it.

GAMEPLAY

The two-dimensional map and gameplay design create a simplistic set of controls. As the AI guides Ellery Vas across the ocean floor, everything can be achieved with an intuitive interface. Movement, specimen sampling, underwater maneuvers, and scientific analysis can all achieved with minimum input from the player.

And that works to deemphasize the kind of frenzied physical engagement required in, say, first-person shooters like DOOM Eternal or the dexterity and fast pace of a platforming game like Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Instead, it enhances the narrative strength of In Other Waters by creating a minimalist visual experience to support the exploration of what makes us human and what is worthy of awe in the face of something alien and new.

That design choice from Jump Over the Age pays dividends, resulting in an atmospheric adventure that continues to surprise with a mystery that deepens as you dive further into the depths of Gliese 677Cc.

Guiding Ellery on the planet involves scanning for paths to navigate on the ocean floor and for specimens that will shed new light on the alien life. As the AI in command of the exo-suit, move freely and discover new areas. And the scientific data that you glean from samples and repeated observations will aid in far-reaching exploration and a better understanding of the thriving ecosystem.

It’s evident that a lot of research and planning went into the development of the game, as the cataloging of species and descriptions of the environment grips the player and pulls them into an alien world with surprising force.

The interface seems limited, but it’s representative of the lens through which an AI might interpret the surrounding world. And the two-dimensional world is given three-dimensional life with the context of Ellery’s observations and her own personal journey.

Your binary responses to Ellery’s questions and concerns may be limited, but that restriction belies the meaningful relationship at the core of the game that directs the scientific inquiries and keeps the partnership intact in the sometimes-hostile environment.

Playing In Other Waters is a relaxing experience that will captivate you and keep you entranced in the pastel colors and beautifully-imagined universe. It’s the kind of game that makes you want to sink into the couch and while away the hours.

VISUALS

In Other Waters is simple. But it’s also sleek and stylish. It really is reminiscent of minimalist art, and you don’t tire of the aesthetic. Shades of blue, green, and black comprise the water at different depths, while vibrant yellows depict the exotic alien life that dwells in the ocean of Gliese 677Cc.

Jump Over the Age has succeeded in creating a memorable indie world with a design pared down to the essentials.

AUDIO

The original soundtrack for the game was written, produced, and recorded by Amos Roddy. And it’s an integral part of the gameplay.

You cannot consider In Other Waters without recognizing the calming power and enriching qualities of Roddy’s work. While the two-dimensional topographic map and visual design act as simplistic renderings of a complex world, the soundtrack introduces a vibrancy and richness to the experience.

Listening to the corrosive effect of spores damaging the exo-suit or the warbling trills of creatures swimming around Ellery is enchanting, and it reinforces the inexorable pull of the game.

REPLAYABILITY

There are several reasons why you’d want to revisit the world of In Other Waters. Each save file tracks the percentage of alien taxonomy that a player has collected, so completionists might want to explore in full across the map in order to catalog all of the plant and animal specimens.

And the writing cannot be understated. Gareth Damian Martin has done a wonderful job building a believable world, and In Other Waters is the kind of journey that players will want to return to.

WHAT IT COULD HAVE DONE BETTER

While the minimalist design ultimately improves the gameplay experience, there were times when I felt stuck or unsure of how to navigate. Those moments lessened the more I played, but those obstacles in the gameplay experience could have been resolved by an accessible dive map while exploring the ocean floor and a data hub that more clearly defined the current objective.

These design changes would not be incompatible with the stylistic interface of the AI, and it would enhance the quality of life while playing.

And I wanted the game to be longer. In Other Waters is a rewarding dive into the unknown, and I was impressed by what Jump Over the Age accomplished in the indie adventure. I wanted to stay longer.

VERDICT

In Other Waters is an excellent game that looks nothing like other indies I’ve played. It’s well worth your time, and it’s an exercise in tranquility and enlightenment.

If you’re looking for the next thing, the latest from Jump Over the Age won’t disappoint.