Great job submitting a game and congrats on getting third place! I had a blast with this game, its a short, fun, and very polished adventure in the deep.
Visually its clean and cute. I love how everything looks like it was bolded with thick outlines, it feels a little childish in the best way possible. You didn't skimp out on the details either, like how the sound seems to go in sync with the propeller. You added a subtle knockback from firing a torpedo, which made it feel much more powerful. Also how the hatch opens on surfacing.
The surfacing concept does so many jobs which is super clever and convenient. In the beginning it forces you to take small expeditions at a time and creates a sense of urgency when trying to explore for too long. Even after death it acts like a save point which prevents a lot of potential frustration. The upgrades are easily identifiable and feel meaningful, giving the player more freedom to explore with less stress.
The big squids were a great surprise. Loved how the game looped back to the beginning at the end. I only wish there was more! Good work and thanks for participating!