Reviews - SOMA

When you do playing "SOMA", you do realize that even with outdated engine, you can still make a good video game with original story! And that is really "SOMA". Yes! It does have it's issues, but if you will look on that from other side, you will realize that even without wannabe Hollywood blockbuster mechanics, like: QTEs, heroic story, action etc... You can still make a good video game! Of course some graphic parts and other issues, are really out of these days and that is why the magic in it, is then really bigger, because the terror + atmosphere + great original settings with sound design, can still make a big part of why this video game, is still one of the best "Sci-Fi" video games ever! So the only most bad things in this game, are just it's enemies, what are sometimes really annoying, but gruesome/scary at the same time! What could also be better, are underwater segments, where you basically cannot do anything, apart of going to your next location. By that, the final verdict is: "7/10".

This is one of the best story driven games ever made.

I usually don't play games that have more puzzle and adventure than action, but SOMA's cyberpunk theme made me try it. And besides there's an obvious touch of love to P.K. ****'s works here. Ok, so the story is absolutely perfect for the genre, so is beautiful up-to-date graphics with the right shading, and the acting too. I admit though some part of the game I watched (video playthrough), because of some codec or script problem, which didn't let me see some objects, but it still was an unforgettable experience for me. It kinda prepares for surprises future may have in store for us, thus it's a must-play for a sci-fi fan and an amazing game overall.

I'm seeing not much transhumanism explored in this or the apocalypse, so the context of the situation is left very vague. There is hacking but its very repetitive, so I think they could have done more with that. It would have been good if there was a way to replace your limbs with new tools, or switch bodies to solve puzzles. So you don't know where you are and where your going and it lacks weight, like these dying half robots half humans but you don't know or care whether they die or not, and if it really means anything. The whole touching the weird glowy holes. Voice acting is quite average and there is no real antagonist which hurts the game more because of the other issues with gameplay/lack of context/weight of actions.

The story takes awhile to uncover which is also an issue. I think it could have fleshed the world out more way sooner.

The thing it does have going for it is the atmosphere, which I always know that Frictional Games delivers on. I will have to give it a more concrete review once I reach the end but overall, it feels like a step down story/gameplay wise from Amnesia. And I thought Amnesia was a step down story wise from Penumbra, but was slightly better gameplay wise in terms of userfriendliness, puzzles, monster design, level design for hiding/sneaking and players sense of purpose. So overall I feel like Soma is probably the weakest of them all.

I can say however that Soma is slightly better in terms of body horror, as its kinda of trying to blur machine and alien/man but it doesn't really take that far enough IMO nor the transhumanism and end of the world potential for story or gameplay.

I'm pretty sure that Soma is not meant to be as scary as Outlast and Amnesia. Its supposed to feel alien, disgusting and confusing more than anything else, so you feel detached from your surroundings and not absorbed in them. Its a mindset change to get into this game. Your there to uncover who these robots are, alien technology, whats happened to the world and what is happening to you. You are here to figure out what is going on primarily, not as revenge story like in Amnesia or trying to defeat a ghost or record everything like in Outlast, so there is no antagonist. But you have someone helping you so a hint of Penumbra there. The fact that its not as absorbing/atmospheric/oppressive is not a good criticism because we can tell right away that its a completely different environment, timeline, story which produces a different themes and its own feeling.

You have to go into the game with a different mindset. My criticisms of the game are a little different, there is not enough done with the gameplay to change things up considering the transhumanist element and hacking thing it has, body horror is there but they could have taken it further. Essentially the gameplay feels rather disappointing.

When SOMA's credits rolled, I was at a loss for words. This game was an emotional roller coaster, filled with moments of panic, tension, curiosity, and ambiguity. I can safely say this is by far the best horror game this year.

Pros:
+ masterful sound desgin and audio
+ a variety of enemies (at least 5) that behave differently
+ tells one of best stories I've ever seen
+ several very stressful, intense sequences
+ incredibly immersive, tense atmosphere
+ good length (between 9 and 11 hours of playtime)
+ you can make choices ( they don't really impact the story long-term but it's still cool!)

Cons:
- technical issues including low frame rates, minor bugs and lag spikes
- annoying puzzles
- too easy to run away from monsters

Overall: 9/10 Amazing ride. This was one of those games that got better and better as it went along and is a must play for any fans of horror, and/or story driven games.