SOMA

🎮 Steam ⏳ 13 hours ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Existence Beneath the Waves #

This title is a deeply atmospheric psychological horror experience that trades traditional scares for profound existential dread. Set in the decaying underwater facility PATHOS-II, the game thrusts you into a haunting narrative about identity, consciousness, and what it truly means to be human. The MC is called Simon Jarrett, an ordinary man who, after a brain scan in 2015, wakes up decades later in a mysterious research station at the bottom of the ocean. As he explores the flooded corridors and abandoned laboratories, Simon uncovers disturbing truths about humanity’s extinction and the desperate attempts of the station’s AI and its former inhabitants to preserve consciousness through technology.

Horror Through Philosophy #

The narrative is gripping, unfolding through environmental storytelling, computer logs, and tense dialogue that gradually reveals a terrifying yet thought-provoking picture of the world. Unlike most horror games, it doesn’t rely on jump scares or gore. Instead, its horror comes from philosophical unease, the blurred boundaries between humans and machines, the loss of self, and the nature of existence without physical form. It’s a game that makes you question your own identity and morality as you make difficult choices with no clear right answers. Despite all this, the game doesn’t really have any moral or decision making mechanics, which is unfortunate since it could improve it’s replay value.

Oppression in the Deep #

Visually, it captures the oppressive isolation of the ocean floor perfectly. The lighting and sound design work hand-in-hand to build an atmosphere of suffocating tension. You can hear the creak of metal under pressure, the distant hum of machinery, and the distorted cries of something that used to be human. The art direction is superb, combining gritty industrial realism with eerie sci-fi surrealism. The gameplay is mostly exploratory, interspersed with stealth sections where you must avoid hostile creatures. These segments are among the game’s weaker points, you may find them frustrating or at odds with the otherwise slow, meditative pace. Fortunately, the later-added Safe Mode allows you to experience the story without worrying about being attacked, making it ideal for those more interested in the narrative than the horror mechanics.

Transcendence and Identity #

What makes this title stand out the most is its emotional and intellectual resonance. It’s less about surviving monsters and more about confronting what happens when humanity transcends, its own physicality. By the time the credits roll, most people are left reflecting on questions that linger long after the screen goes dark. In short, this game is a masterful fusion of science fiction and psychological horror. It’s a slow, heavy, and deeply affecting experience that rewards patience and introspection. If you value atmosphere, storytelling, and existential themes over action, this is a game that will stay with you.

A Heavy, Masterful Journey #

This game is not for everyone, it is one of the heaviest titles that I’ve ever played, and if you are not a fan of this kind of game than I would stay away from this one. I would also recommend not playing this is you have a hard time with horror experiences, because despite me considering myself almost bullet-proof when it comes to these games, I admit that it wasn’t a walk in the park. Ultimately, this is truly one of the best games of it’s genre, it showed how the Amnesia team evolved in absolutely every way possible, especially when it comes to story-telling and writing, I consider this a must-play not just if you like horror titles, but also if you like thought provoking stories.