10 Underwater Levels That Don’t Suck

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Underwater levels in games often get a bad rap for being slow-paced, annoying, and filled with unfair obstacles. However, some games actually pull them off really well! Through thoughtful level design, beautiful graphics, and innovative gameplay, certain developers have created underwater areas that are just as fun and engaging as the rest of the game, proving that underwater exploration doesn’t have to be a frustrating experience.

‘Hydrocity Zone’ in ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ (1994)

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 featured a unique underwater level, the Hydrocity Zone, that players genuinely enjoyed. Unlike many underwater stages in games, it didn’t slow Sonic down. Instead, it kept the fast-paced gameplay going with water slides, bubble paths, and well-designed loops. Combined with its cheerful music and bright colors, the Hydrocity Zone remains a standout level in the Sonic series.

‘Lakebed Temple’ in ‘The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess’ (2006)

The Lakebed Temple in Nintendo’s Zelda series completely reimagined the often-disliked water dungeon. Instead of being frustrating, it’s actually fun! Players use tools like the Iron Boots and Clawshot to solve puzzles involving water flow in a central, rotating room. The temple’s smart design encourages players to try different things and pay attention to their surroundings, making the gameplay fast-paced and engaging. It’s become one of the few water temples that Zelda fans genuinely love to replay.

‘Atlantica’ in ‘Kingdom Hearts II’ (2005)

Square Enix creatively reimagined the Atlantica level as a rhythm game. Instead of battling, players complete musical sequences with Ariel and her friends. This level stands out with its cheerful graphics, memorable songs, and lighthearted feel, fully embracing the magical atmosphere of the underwater world.

‘Rapture’ in ‘BioShock’ (2007)

Man, Rapture in BioShock is seriously one of the coolest game environments ever. It’s not just a level, it is the game’s whole vibe. Those ruined art deco buildings, the creepy lighting, and the sound design… it all just pulls you in and makes you feel like you’re actually there. It’s beautiful, but totally terrifying too! It really showed everyone that an underwater world could be about so much more than just how it plays – it’s about the story and how it feels.

‘Sea of Clouds’ in ‘Super Mario Odyssey’ (2017)

This short part of ‘Super Mario Odyssey’ really shows how much care Nintendo puts into its games. The Sea of Clouds area is a joy to play, blending jumping and exploring with easy-to-use swimming controls and a cheerful look. The level is fast-paced and fun because the controls are snappy and the puzzles are cleverly designed. It’s just another example of the Mario team finding ways to make water levels enjoyable again.

‘Maelstrom’ in ‘Rayman Legends’ (2013)

The Ubisoft Montpellier team demonstrated how well-designed levels and music can create realistic water movement in games. In ‘Rayman Legends,’ the Maelstrom level features quick swimming perfectly timed to the music. The controls are precise, and the game seamlessly shifts between land and underwater sections. This combination of energy and visual style makes it a standout example of engaging underwater gameplay.

‘Flooded Ruins’ in ‘Tomb Raider’ (2013)

The ‘Tomb Raider’ reboot featured an impressive underwater section called ‘The Flooded Ruins.’ Crystal Dynamics created a thrilling experience that felt both natural and exciting. Players explored dangerous environments with smooth diving controls and dramatic camera angles. The clever design of the levels made each safe haven feel important, while still keeping players on edge. It’s a perfect example of how to build suspense and tell a story visually.

‘Aquatic Base’ in ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ (2006)

Despite problems with the game as a whole, the Aquatic Base level in ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ was a highlight. Its clever, multi-layered design and challenging puzzles made it really stand out. The level was fun because it combined jumping, swimming, and problem-solving, and players could choose different characters, each with their own way of navigating the water. It’s still considered one of the best parts of an otherwise difficult game.

‘Glacier Coast’ in ‘NiGHTS into Dreams’ (1996)

‘Glacier Coast,’ created by Sonic Team for the Sega Saturn, offered a beautiful and fluid underwater level. It cleverly used the game’s flying controls to make swimming feel like soaring through the air. The level’s dreamy feel and responsive controls created a magical experience, unlike the often clunky feel of underwater stages in other games.

‘Siltbreaker’ in ‘Dota 2’ (2017)

I was totally blown away when Valve dropped ‘Siltbreaker’! It’s a co-op campaign set underwater, and the world is just incredible – full of weird monsters and these beautiful, glowing ruins. Honestly, it felt like a real adventure, with cool missions, awesome graphics, and surprisingly deep combat. What could have been a one-off thing turned into something really special because of all the different things you could do and how much it relied on teamwork. It’s easily one of the best times I’ve had exploring an underwater world with friends in a game.

Which underwater level did you actually enjoy playing? Share your favorite in the comment

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2025-11-13 17:15