SOMA
Release Date: September 22, 2015
Adventure, FPP, science fiction, survival horror, under water, indie games, singleplayer
Gamepressure
Steam
A science fiction horror adventure game created by Frictional Games, Swedish studio known for such titles as Amnesia: The Dark Descent and the Penumbra series. The game is set in a top-secret research center PATHOS-2, where a series of failed experiments resulted in human-like machines killing off most of the staff and taking over the facility. You play as one of the survivors, who has to safely evade the hostile, machine infested environment.
Last Update: October 5, 2015
SOMA Guide
The guide for SOMA contains all the essential information required to complete the game.
September 24, 2015
SOMA Review – a horror straight from the depths of the sea by the creators of Amnesia
Frictional Games has stood up to the challenge – SOMA is by far the biggest, most scary and elaborate project of the Swedish studio. However, it got lost in its fundamental premise.
Videos and Screens
[1:12] SOMA launch trailer
[1:35] SOMA story trailer
Gamepressure Review
SOMA
Frictional Games has stood up to the challenge – SOMA is by far the biggest, most scary and elaborate project of the Swedish studio. However, it got lost in its fundamental premise.
PC / WindowsThe main pros of the game
- Compelling Story: Many users praised the narrative, highlighting it as one of the best aspects of the game. The story explores deep philosophical themes regarding identity, consciousness, and what it means to be human.
- Atmosphere and Sound Design: The game effectively creates a tense and immersive atmosphere, with well-crafted sound design that enhances the horror experience.
- Visuals and Environment: Players appreciated the stunning visuals and the design of the underwater settings, which contribute to the game's eerie and isolating feel.
- Thought-Provoking Experience: The game encourages players to reflect on existential questions and moral dilemmas, leaving a lasting impression long after completion.
- Character Development: The protagonist's journey and relationships, particularly with Catherine, were noted as engaging and well-written.
The main cons of the game
- Gameplay Mechanics: Some reviews mentioned that the gameplay can be repetitive and lacks depth, primarily involving walking, hiding, and solving relatively simple puzzles.
- Enemy AI Issues: Users reported that enemy behavior could be frustrating, with some describing encounters as more annoying than scary. There were complaints about the monsters blocking paths and having inconsistent detection mechanics.
- Linear Structure: The game is considered linear, which may limit exploration and player agency. Some players expressed a desire for more complex gameplay elements or branching paths.
- Not Scary Enough for Some: While marketed as a horror game, several players felt it leaned more towards existential dread than traditional horror, with fewer jump scares and intense moments than expected.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Lack of Replayability: Many users noted that the game has little incentive for replaying due to its linear narrative and fixed ending, which may not change significantly based on player choices.
- Navigation Aids: Players expressed a desire for better navigation tools, such as a map or journal, to help track objectives and enhance the exploration experience.
- More Complex Puzzles: Some reviewers wished for more challenging puzzles that would require deeper thought and engagement, rather than straightforward tasks.
- Diverse Endings: There were calls for multiple endings based on player decisions, which could add depth and replay value to the experience.
Summary
- Overall, SOMA is highly regarded for its narrative and philosophical depth, but it also faces criticism for its gameplay mechanics and linearity.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 1645 votes. 250 players anticipated the game.
SOMA Description
SOMA is the next project from Frictional Games – a Swedish studio, best known for their survival horror titles, such as: Amnesia: The Dark Descent or the Penumbra series.
The action of the game takes place in a research facility called PATHOS-2; as a tragic result of failed experiments, machines have started taking on human traits and seized control over the complex for themselves, killing most of the staff members.
Unlike the previous Frictional Games productions, SOMA drifts away from the studio’s standard scheme of avoiding danger and fleeing combat; instead, the developers have offered us the freedom of exploration of the title’s open world and the focus on survival in an inhospitable environment. The player has to adapt to the laws of the underworld reality and get to know the behavior of the robots located on the deck of the research facility and amongst the fauna and flora of the sea.
The creators have decided to apply several new solutions, which build the exceptional climate of the gameplay and add to the pressure and fear that the player will experience. The novelties include a new type of narration based on interaction with the environment, and also the necessity to pay a lot of attention to the pressure when travelling through the depths of the ocean.
We experience the gameplay from the first person perspective; the overall visual quality has been significantly improved in comparison to the previous productions of the Frictional studio – the locations are much bigger and feature significantly more details, just like the models of monsters, which we encounter frequently on our journey.
Last updated on August 14, 2015
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SOMA Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows September 22, 2015
PlayStation 4 September 22, 2015
Xbox One December 1, 2017
Developer: Frictional Games
Publisher: Frictional Games
SOMA System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i3 2.0 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 460M/Radeon HD 5770 or better, 25 GB HDD, Windows 7 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i5 2.9 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 480/Radeon HD 8770 or better, 25 GB HDD, Windows 7 64-bit
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Get SOMA for free – the survival horror from Amnesia creators
SOMA, the survival horror from Frictional Games (Amnesia: Dark Descent, Penumbra series) that will take you to the darkest depths of the Atlantic, is now available for free at GOG.com.
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