SOMA: Sorrows Over the Mechanical Abyss
SOMA was a game I had only recently heard about. I've heard its name thrown around, and since I happen to have it in my library, courtesy of the Epic Games Store when it was given away for free, I decided to add it to my backlog to try it out eventually. But what I got from my time with SOMA was a game that lingered with me long after my playthrough, with its psychological themes and overall tone, I didn't find SOMA to be scary in a "Booo!" jumpscare type of way, it was scary due to its undertones and atmosphere. The extra bits of lore you can find throughout the game add so much to the already fantastic narrative, and it's just one of those games you just need to play completely blind without knowing anything.
Gamplay-wise, SOMA is pretty bare-bones, the main character Simon explores different areas in a somewhat linear way, with there being puzzles along the way as well. The puzzles are pretty basic, but that's a good thing, they don't need to be anything more than basic. Along the way in Simon's journey he encounters enemies that I feel don't add much to the game. The first couple of encounters add to SOMA by being a good stepping stone into what's to come throughout the game, but as it goes on, the enemies start to feel like annoying obstacles in the way. It's no wonder the developers decided to add a no-enemy mode after the game's initial launch. In my opinion, the enemies aren't even scary, they look scary on the surface, but not at all scary to make me jump out of my chair. Movement in SOMA feels kind of stiff, I'm not sure if it's just in SOMA or in the Amnesia games, or any of Frictional Games's other games, but in SOMA it just sorta stuck out, in better words.
But, gameplay and its issues aside, the real meat and potatoes of SOMA is its story. SOMA is a walking simulator with a sci-fi story that feels like you're listening to it, rather than playing it. The gameplay elements are barebone, but the story has a lot of muscle and carries its weight. It's really hard to explain without spoilers, but what I can say is, SOMA evokes a feeling of being alone. While playing as Simon, there's a feeling of loneliness everywhere, and the ending just adds to this notion more. Simon as a character, can be seen as dumb in certain moments in the story, but as a human, we're all liable to being dumb without knowing it. It's easy to pick on Simon for being a dumbass, but let's be honest, we would just be dumber. In a game centered around robots and sci-fi elements, Simon, for all his faults, still adds the long-forgotten layer of humanity, to an otherwise, artificial world. The atmosphere SOMA creates feels grimy, dirty, all messed up, and gone to shit. It creates a feeling of dread lingering over my shoulder throughout my playthrough, each area feels unique in its own atmosphere.
Overall, I found SOMA to be a unique different take on horror games, but that's not saying much considering I don't play a lot of horror games, regardless of that, SOMA is one of those games you need to play if you're looking a unique experience, or just want to try something new. If you like sci-fi or horror, you'll love SOMA. It's a game that anybody who enjoys either genre will love, and its just a game to play completely blind.
Stats:
The 14th game I've completed in 2024
Played on PC
Hours into Game: 7 Hours & 49 minutes
Score: 9/10 (4.5/5)
SOMA was a game I had only recently heard about. I've heard its name thrown around, and since I happen to have it in my library, courtesy of the Epic Games Store when it was given away for free, I decided to add it to my backlog to try it out eventually. But what I got from my time with SOMA was a game that lingered with me long after my playthrough, with its psychological themes and overall tone, I didn't find SOMA to be scary in a "Booo!" jumpscare type of way, it was scary due to its undertones and atmosphere. The extra bits of lore you can find throughout the game add so much to the already fantastic narrative, and it's just one of those games you just need to play completely blind without knowing anything.
Gamplay-wise, SOMA is pretty bare-bones, the main character Simon explores different areas in a somewhat linear way, with there being puzzles along the way as well. The puzzles are pretty basic, but that's a good thing, they don't need to be anything more than basic. Along the way in Simon's journey he encounters enemies that I feel don't add much to the game. The first couple of encounters add to SOMA by being a good stepping stone into what's to come throughout the game, but as it goes on, the enemies start to feel like annoying obstacles in the way. It's no wonder the developers decided to add a no-enemy mode after the game's initial launch. In my opinion, the enemies aren't even scary, they look scary on the surface, but not at all scary to make me jump out of my chair. Movement in SOMA feels kind of stiff, I'm not sure if it's just in SOMA or in the Amnesia games, or any of Frictional Games's other games, but in SOMA it just sorta stuck out, in better words.
But, gameplay and its issues aside, the real meat and potatoes of SOMA is its story. SOMA is a walking simulator with a sci-fi story that feels like you're listening to it, rather than playing it. The gameplay elements are barebone, but the story has a lot of muscle and carries its weight. It's really hard to explain without spoilers, but what I can say is, SOMA evokes a feeling of being alone. While playing as Simon, there's a feeling of loneliness everywhere, and the ending just adds to this notion more. Simon as a character, can be seen as dumb in certain moments in the story, but as a human, we're all liable to being dumb without knowing it. It's easy to pick on Simon for being a dumbass, but let's be honest, we would just be dumber. In a game centered around robots and sci-fi elements, Simon, for all his faults, still adds the long-forgotten layer of humanity, to an otherwise, artificial world. The atmosphere SOMA creates feels grimy, dirty, all messed up, and gone to shit. It creates a feeling of dread lingering over my shoulder throughout my playthrough, each area feels unique in its own atmosphere.
Overall, I found SOMA to be a unique different take on horror games, but that's not saying much considering I don't play a lot of horror games, regardless of that, SOMA is one of those games you need to play if you're looking a unique experience, or just want to try something new. If you like sci-fi or horror, you'll love SOMA. It's a game that anybody who enjoys either genre will love, and its just a game to play completely blind.
Stats:
The 14th game I've completed in 2024
Played on PC
Hours into Game: 7 Hours & 49 minutes
Score: 9/10 (4.5/5)