Richly detailed in both visuals and audio, the level of detail put into this horror in the deeps is phenomenal. It doesn’t hurt that SOMA is wrapped up in a gorgeous package, either. Questions regarding what it means to be human come up frequently, including in the form of multiple crew personality tests on consoles around Pathos-II’s complex. Far from the typical hero figure, Simon spends nearly as much time questioning both the ethics and the futility of his actions. Simon’s slow but steady uncovering of what exactly was happening beneath the waves of the Atlantic is well-paced, and the philosophical theme fits well with the events as they unfold. The writing, voice acting, and overall theme of the game are all on point. Once SOMA‘s story begins to take shape, though, it’s one that can pull you in. The story itself is a bit slow to start as Simon adjusts to the ruin around him and tries to find his way through the rubble. The things that matter to the story, of course, are largely made up of recordings, intercom transmissions, and written communications between those working at the station. While many objects around the environments of Pathos-II can be interacted with, most are simple static objects that can be picked up and thrown.

With no combat to speak of, and limited means of protecting himself, our protagonist, Simon Jarrett, must use wits, stealth, and knowing when to run in order to stay alive. SOMA is purely a game of survival and problem-solving. As one of the only remaining sentient inhabitants of the station, players must scour their way through ruined hallways, sunken ships, and even the depths of the ocean’s abyss to uncover the truth behind the mysterious projects underway. A departure from their prior games, SOMA is a science-fiction tale of a derelict and terror-riddled deep-sea station called Pathos-II. Frictional Games, developers of the hit horror game Amnesia: The Dark Descent and its later sequel, Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, are back on the scene with their latest dark reality with SOMA.

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