User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1400 Ratings

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  1. Nov 18, 2022
    10
    this game makes you blow a **** gasket trying to comprehend the concepts it explores
  2. Jan 4, 2023
    10
    Excelente juego, la historia es espectacular, toca un tema muy profundo y deja posibilidad a una gran reflexión. Super recomendado.
  3. Jun 16, 2023
    10
    This game is nothing short of perfection. In as few words as possible I'm going to just say that it's a very claustrophobic, mysterious thriller with an ending so good that you have to re-evaluate your entire self.
  4. Jul 2, 2023
    10
    Perfect game, beautiful story and the ending will leave you thinking for a couple of months. Still not over it,
  5. Sep 28, 2015
    9
    I hate horror games. But I knew Soma was meant to be much more than that, and I wasn't disappointed. The constant sense of oppression and fear isn't used as a mean to make a horror game, but as a mean to fully immerse you in the game, in its atmosphere, in its complex and fascinating story. Nothing else exists around you while playing Soma. That's a beautiful achievement, if a littleI hate horror games. But I knew Soma was meant to be much more than that, and I wasn't disappointed. The constant sense of oppression and fear isn't used as a mean to make a horror game, but as a mean to fully immerse you in the game, in its atmosphere, in its complex and fascinating story. Nothing else exists around you while playing Soma. That's a beautiful achievement, if a little estranging.
    Game philosophy apart, it ran perfectly on my rig. The graphics, the environment audio and the pacing are fantastic. The story is fascinating and told in an almost perfect way: not too much, not too little, leaving it open to interpretation and exploration. All in all the second best video game story ever told, in my opinion (first place goes to Bioshock Infinity). I don't give it a 10 just because of the lame-ish voice acting (especially for the main character), and because I think it misses some storytelling opportunity (which I won't mention to avoid spoilers).
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  6. Sep 25, 2015
    9
    An amazing game! Atmospheric, dystopian, intelligent. A wonderful experience! I've played it in two nights, each from 8PM to 3AM, hooked, thrilled and absorbed (that's the good word!). The story is satisfying, to say the least.

    There's three downsides: simplistic gameplay, poor loading implementation and some annoying monsters. I'm a huge Philip K. Dick fan, and this game reminds me
    An amazing game! Atmospheric, dystopian, intelligent. A wonderful experience! I've played it in two nights, each from 8PM to 3AM, hooked, thrilled and absorbed (that's the good word!). The story is satisfying, to say the least.

    There's three downsides: simplistic gameplay, poor loading implementation and some annoying monsters.

    I'm a huge Philip K. Dick fan, and this game reminds me of some good stories by this great writer. This game is, I think, a tribute. Thanks Frictional Games!
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  7. Oct 17, 2015
    9
    Pros:
    Very good immersion and atmosphere
    Amazing environments
    Great story and characters

    Cons:
    Sometimes you may get lost or not know what to do (had to look a few things up online)
    At times the monster's AI can seem a bit glued to you which can lower immersion
    Sometimes the physics with objects can be a bit odd
  8. Nov 25, 2015
    9
    not as scary as amnesia maybe, but a better and more interesting story. definitely a worthy successor. production values seem pretty high too, and the voice acting is awesome. overall a very solid game.
  9. Jun 10, 2018
    9
    This is one of those rare games where the great story and atmosphere gets you through. The game play is ok and can feel a little slow at times but the locations and story telling is amazing and this is a must play.
  10. Sep 26, 2015
    9
    Too be perfectly honest, after I finished this game I would have given it a slightly above average score (7ish).... but I couldn't stop thinking about it!

    Not because it covers new ground, or because its particularly insightful (it's not at all): but more because the story is so layered and there are so many subplots and explored concepts rolled up into one narrative. It really lets
    Too be perfectly honest, after I finished this game I would have given it a slightly above average score (7ish).... but I couldn't stop thinking about it!

    Not because it covers new ground, or because its particularly insightful (it's not at all): but more because the story is so layered and there are so many subplots and explored concepts rolled up into one narrative.
    It really lets the player speculate on small plot threads and think about the events that transpired. Hell, even if the plot was lame, this game would still get points for having an awesome portrayal of the deep ocean complete with the haunting elements of said environment.

    So this one is kind of weird for me... it is a downgrade from Amnesia for having stripped mechanics, toned down horror, and a less original story. But its just so goddamn engrossing! Not many games have me thinking and browsing forums days after I finish. I'd highly recommend it!
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  11. Oct 2, 2015
    9
    Amazing sound and great design. This game does not scare you, but cultivates fear in the mind. Almost intelligent horror. Still not a breakthrough, but it is... close.
  12. Oct 16, 2015
    9
    What a wild ride. Existential crisis philosophy, underwater levels, corrupted robots, this game has the threshold of what a successfull horror game needs to have. The story and voice acting is clearly the strong part, because some of the enemies and the mood set for the environment isn't as good as it was in Amnesia. There were some parts were I couldn't figure out where I was supposed toWhat a wild ride. Existential crisis philosophy, underwater levels, corrupted robots, this game has the threshold of what a successfull horror game needs to have. The story and voice acting is clearly the strong part, because some of the enemies and the mood set for the environment isn't as good as it was in Amnesia. There were some parts were I couldn't figure out where I was supposed to go, so if Frictional would fix that, that'd be great. Expand
  13. May 12, 2016
    9
    Wow, what a great game. I've played all of Frictional's previous games before (the Penumbra & Amnesia series) so had a rough idea of what to expect but this is definitely the best so far. It feels like a cross between Penumbra, Bioshock, and System Shock 2 and it works out pretty well. Frictional are probably one of the few devs who know how to make a decent horror game (ie, provide aWow, what a great game. I've played all of Frictional's previous games before (the Penumbra & Amnesia series) so had a rough idea of what to expect but this is definitely the best so far. It feels like a cross between Penumbra, Bioshock, and System Shock 2 and it works out pretty well. Frictional are probably one of the few devs who know how to make a decent horror game (ie, provide a persistent underlying unnerving atmosphere without over-saturating cheesy "jump scares" and "piano punch" sounds every 20 meters). SOMA isn't a shooter. It's a cross between a horror and a first person adventure game, but a much deeper psychological one about slipping away from your own identity rather than a shallow "BOO! HAHAHA MADE YOU JUMP IN A DARK ROOM!" 'horror' game which are prevalent these days.

    Graphics are pretty good overall - average to good textures but superb highly atmospheric lighting, shadow & underwater effects that fit the setting & mood perfectly. The environment (like the Penumbra games) is highly interactable and you can pick up and move almost every object. They really have done a great job evolving the HPL engine. Voice acting & ambient sounds are well done. Ambient music is just right - present and intermittent but neither in-your-face or subdued. Level designs are good. Puzzles in the game are easy but also logical. There's no point demanding super hard puzzles if they end up artificially convoluted and out of place.

    There's a lot of attention to detail paid over minor things too. Eg, the head-bob effect feels just right and not stupidly over-done "waddling giraffe in a surgical collar simulator" as even big budget AAA developers consistently manage to mess up. The game is checkpoint save based but also permits an option for enabling F9 Quicksave / F10 Quickload via an ini file tweak. The mouse & keyb input feel fairly solid, keys are fully rebindable, mouse has sensitivity & smoothing options, etc. Lots of little things like that add up to a sense of polish and design maturity that SOMA actually feels like a PC game well ported to a console, not a console game badly ported to a PC.

    Overall it's a great example of what a creative and interesting horror game should be like once you move beyond the typical cut-and-paste "formula" of jump-scares, piano thumps, screams in overly dark asylums, flickering lights, etc. There are one or two minor annoyances which preclude a perfect 10, eg, I found the Depth of Field effect even on "Low" is excessive in places and it would be nice to have the option to disable it completely or at least add a "Very Low" option that halves the blur effect again. This game is still a solid 9 though. It has come together so well, is a very fresh feeling gem in a genre of samey-ness, the horror / adventure hybrid feel works perfectly in just the right balance and the above attention to detail paid over minor things, that it's well worth a play. I sincerely hope Frictional Games continue to develop more of these in the future.
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  14. Sep 24, 2015
    9
    What does it mean to be human? What is life? What is consciousness? Who is to decide the answers to those questions?

    I think, therefore I am. Right? Even after the ~15 hours it took me to see the credits rolling down my monitor, these are just some of the questions that still boggles my mind. It's games like this that may make your head spin, and to question your very own existence.
    What does it mean to be human? What is life? What is consciousness? Who is to decide the answers to those questions?

    I think, therefore I am. Right?

    Even after the ~15 hours it took me to see the credits rolling down my monitor, these are just some of the questions that still boggles my mind. It's games like this that may make your head spin, and to question your very own existence.

    Even with the above being said, remember that this is a horror game and it may make you s**t your pants.

    Oh well. On to the game itself.

    Aside from being scary, the game offers an extremely deep atmosphere and story. Combine this with existential questions, horrifying gameplay and breathtaking artistic design, graphics and sound, and you should at least have an idea what this game has to offer.

    Without spoiling the story or any plot points, I will just say that if you're a fan of sci-fi, you will greatly enjoy the story and the setting this gorgeous, yet haunting looking world has to offer. It will also force you to make some very morally difficult choices, unless you're a cold-hearted human being that is. This is one of those games that sucks you into it's world, making you not wanting to exit the game until you've reached the credits.

    If you ever played Amnesia, the last masterpiece released by the same company, you should feel right at home with the controls and physics offered by this game. Pulling out desk drawers, opening doors, it's all controlled the same way (holding the mouse button down and moving the mouse) and feels just as good.

    While there is no inventory screen you can still carry some items around with you that are used automatically in their proper places. There is also no HUD for health, but the game gives you very good visual feedback about how close you are to dying. When really low on health you can no longer sprint and instead are limping around and the screen gets much blurrier etc.

    The game ran fine on my GTX970 and I managed to almost always maintain 60fps on the highest settings at 1920x1080 resolution (except when the game clearly loaded the world and it dropped). I found some minor bugs, like places where you could exit the level's boundaries although they required me to really going out of my way to jump around looking for them (as I have a tendency to do :P ), otherwise no game breaking bugs to report.

    So, without dragging this out too long, here are my conclusions.

    Would I recommend this game?

    If you like great stories and atmosphere where you can really take your time to absorb and interact with the world around you, then yes, without a doubt.

    If you enjoyed Amnesia, then yes, this is for you as well.

    If you're too afraid of scary games, but still want to experience the story? I'd say stay the **** away!

    Is it worth the 27,99€€ steam asks for it?

    After completion, for me, personally, that's a "Yes, definitely".

    ps. "robots" can be freaking terrifying. Sleep tight...
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  15. Nov 30, 2015
    9
    SOMA is the newest game by horror connoisseurs Frictional Games. Yet again, they hit home with this terrifying installment. The only gripe with the game is that sometimes the story telling is a bit muffled, or hard to follow. On another note, this is the scariest game on next gen in its current state. So if you're looking to purchase a game that is a phenomenal play on its own, and whenSOMA is the newest game by horror connoisseurs Frictional Games. Yet again, they hit home with this terrifying installment. The only gripe with the game is that sometimes the story telling is a bit muffled, or hard to follow. On another note, this is the scariest game on next gen in its current state. So if you're looking to purchase a game that is a phenomenal play on its own, and when your friends are huddled around you as well. Then boy does Frictional Games have a game for you. Expand
  16. Oct 25, 2015
    9
    Great story and atmosphere. Maybe not as scary as Amnesia or Penumbra, but definitely equally unsettling. Sound-wise SOMA is a triumph. All in all, Frictional Games have outdone themselves, creating their best game yet.
  17. Oct 4, 2015
    9
    SOMA is an intelligent philosophical, SCI-FI horror game that tackles some big questions, and succeeds.

    Gameplay The gameplay is the standard for a exploration game, but the horror in SOMA is done well, with only few enemies throughout each level, and instead of fighting/killing them, you must try to sneak around them. Also featured heavily is the false scares where you will think an
    SOMA is an intelligent philosophical, SCI-FI horror game that tackles some big questions, and succeeds.

    Gameplay

    The gameplay is the standard for a exploration game, but the horror in SOMA is done well, with only few enemies throughout each level, and instead of fighting/killing them, you must try to sneak around them. Also featured heavily is the false scares where you will think an enemy should be coming but it something else, and these moments add a lot of tension to the game, and is done well.

    Story

    The story in SOMA was exceptionally done, and focuses and big philosophical questions, which can be a hard thing to do. The questions posed were handled intelligently, and by the end of it, and also throughout, I was swirling with thoughts of humanity, and what it truly means to be human. For a game to get to me ponder like that is a feat that IMO earns recognition. The pacing is also well done to, with a good progression flow.

    Graphics/presentation

    The visuals are nice in SOMA, and the aesthetic designs of the environments give off an eerie feel, which sets the tone for the game. The only gripe I had was that the loading could be a bit of an annoyance, with slow downs occurring sometimes, but this didn't hinder my experience too much.

    Overall SOMA is a smart, scary, and Philosophically pondering game that tackles big questions, and does so with great intelligence. Even if you don't like horror games that much such as my self this game is worth a try.
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  18. Oct 17, 2015
    9
    Although I don't like horror games, this one was interesting with a thought provoking story. The environments are very immersive and the sound design is well done except for a few vocal recordings that are muffled and hard to understand. The game's atmosphere reminds me a bit of Riddick - Escape from Butcher Bay. The pacing is good with a mix of intense moments balanced out by some moreAlthough I don't like horror games, this one was interesting with a thought provoking story. The environments are very immersive and the sound design is well done except for a few vocal recordings that are muffled and hard to understand. The game's atmosphere reminds me a bit of Riddick - Escape from Butcher Bay. The pacing is good with a mix of intense moments balanced out by some more relaxing ones. Most of the game is just good story telling, no combat, some stealth, and a few puzzles that are not too hard but just enough to be rewarding. We haven't had many good single player experiences like this lately so this is a welcomed addition. Expand
  19. Oct 25, 2015
    9
    Amnesia The Dark Descent a game with great gameplay,great story,great characters.However I personally had a problem with the way Amnesia was showing the game.It was a game with good story but no good cinematic moments.
    But what we have in Soma is a really better version of the Amnesia The Dark Descent.This game has a great story(with a mind **** ending),Great Characters ,Great
    Amnesia The Dark Descent a game with great gameplay,great story,great characters.However I personally had a problem with the way Amnesia was showing the game.It was a game with good story but no good cinematic moments.
    But what we have in Soma is a really better version of the Amnesia The Dark Descent.This game has a great story(with a mind **** ending),Great Characters ,Great gameplay,Great graphic,Great atmosphere,Great Monsters and a good music.And The best thing nobody will fight or argue about this game being the best horror game or best frictional games work.It's a game that you can enjoy without hearing anybody pissing you off with saying this games is the best,or anybody saying this game is the worst.
    What I will start with is the Monsters cause I think this is the best thing about the game.(though I loved the story)This Game's Monsters were different.They thought about how the monsters should be.They can Teleport,They are blind but have a great sense of hearing.It's not like any regular game that have some things or people chasing you.It was good.
    The Story.At first it might look a little cliche but after you come to understand a little about the game you realize how great it is.and the ending was absolutely amazing.It was brilliant.
    Characters were great they were Lovable,Cool and Of course REAL.Not Much to say about them you have to see them to realize.There were 2 main character and one other guy who was kinda important.
    If I have to talk about graphic (which I don't like at all)I can say that it had a really great graphic (that's all I can say!!)
    however about the atmosphere.It had a great one.When you're in the ocean you can feel that you are way down.you can feel that It's cold,It's lonely and very heavy.while it's very calming it's also feels very unsafe(you can also see how beautiful the graphic is).in the stations you can feel that this place is dangerous.(you can also see how beautiful the graphic is)(AGAIN)And of course the horrible feeling when you see the robots and humans.and at the same time the pleasant feeling of seeing an Apocalypse without any ******* Zombie!!
    About The Music,It was a good music.It was a music made for the game.There were Mostly relaxing musics!(you know They weren't Horror or anything you didn't get that feeling!!)
    And about the gameplay!Smooth.I didn't had a single problem with it.the puzzles were good.a little problem with the no inventory thing.(I mean the way Amnesia was)I loved the movement in the ocean.and the freedom in the ocean.you could easily go way to deep in the ocean.I mean if you keep going you will die but you know what I mean!!!!And Also it wasn't too deep.(you know like IGI!!!)
    If I have to compare it to Amnesia,It definitely wasn't at all as scary as Amnesia(Or any other scary game).however It was better in story and graphic and character and I also think it was better in music.(Amnesia was better with the gameplay-This was better with the rest!)
    so if you are in it ONLY because of the gameplay I don't recommend it however if you're in it for the rest totally recommend it and you should definitely play it.
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  20. Feb 17, 2017
    9
    Frictional Games sa fare i giochi horror. Questo Soma é un gioco che ha tutti gli ingredienti giusti per essere considerato uno dei migliori horror in prima persona di sempre. Trama originale e narrata molto bene: si parte in una situazione totalmente surreale e si inizia pian piano a capire il contesto in cui ci si trova tramite foglietti, appunti, e altro, sempre in maniera abbastanzaFrictional Games sa fare i giochi horror. Questo Soma é un gioco che ha tutti gli ingredienti giusti per essere considerato uno dei migliori horror in prima persona di sempre. Trama originale e narrata molto bene: si parte in una situazione totalmente surreale e si inizia pian piano a capire il contesto in cui ci si trova tramite foglietti, appunti, e altro, sempre in maniera abbastanza credibile e "realistica". La cosa che stupisce di piú del gioco é proprio il setting e la storia, il contesto generale é veramente una figata: si é in una base sottomarina senza capire esattamente dove, quando, perché e come, giá solo l'impostazione regala un senso di angoscia e malinconia non indifferenti. I nemici sono pochi ma sono fatti estremamente bene, un po' sull'impronta di Amnesia The Dark Descent. L'ansia raggiunge picchi altissimi, riesce a fare veramente tanta paura. Comparto audio eccellente (caposaldo del gioco), comparto grafico ottimo ma purtroppo su PC (su schede nvidia) soffre di stuttering continuo e non sembra esserci alcun fix definitivo.. onestamente dá abbastanza fastidio, anche se il titolo rimane giocabilissimo. La durata é adeguata (10-12 ore) e alterna benissimo sezioni ansiogene a sezioni calme e di esplorazione. Scenari bellissimi sott'acqua, level design sempre ottimo. Un gioco nel complesso fatto molto bene, che pecca di qualche problemino tecnico su alcuni PC e di un doppiaggio che secondo me poteva essere anche fatto meglio. Inoltre sa leggermente di "giá visto" (negli Amnesia) per lo stile generale, ma questo credo sia inevitabile. Il fattore "wow" della prima volta non si puó replicare. 8.5 / 10 Expand
  21. May 30, 2022
    9
    SOMA is a thought-provoking narrative experience backed by some absolutely outstanding sound designs and voice acting.
  22. Oct 6, 2019
    9
    I'm someone who usually just plays through most games just the once (if I even make it that far).
    With SOMA, however, I played through this two times in a row, and thoroughly enjoyed finding all of the hidden notes and dialogue tapes. I found the entire world fully immersive and fascinating.
    I have to say, even as a huge old school FPS DOOM and Quake fan, this was one of my favourite
    I'm someone who usually just plays through most games just the once (if I even make it that far).
    With SOMA, however, I played through this two times in a row, and thoroughly enjoyed finding all of the hidden notes and dialogue tapes. I found the entire world fully immersive and fascinating.

    I have to say, even as a huge old school FPS DOOM and Quake fan, this was one of my favourite first person perspective games I played in 2016.... The story really resonated with me, and as someone who found the Amnesia series a bit hit and miss, I found the graphics and art style beautiful, the monsters terrifying and this is as about as far away as you can get from a standard FPS.
    'Walking simulator' could be an unfair assessment of it as the stealth, puzzle and action sections are both exhilarating and absolutely horrifying.... AND OMG THE SOUND DESIGN!!! Beautiful... One of the best 8 (X2) hours I've ever spent on any form of electronic media. Highly recommended, even for people who are usually averse to the genre.
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  23. Sep 26, 2015
    9
    SOMA
    A Canadians worst Nightmare
    Soma is a survival horror game where you play as a Canadian in his late 20s what could possibly go wrong perhaps you could wake up 1000 years later and everyone around is gone.. or robots.. or both.. or neither and the fate of humanity is in your Canadian hands. Like Bioshock, SOMA takes place underwater and is terrifying and relaxing simultaneously.
    SOMA
    A Canadians worst Nightmare
    Soma is a survival horror game where you play as a Canadian in his late 20s
    what could possibly go wrong
    perhaps you could wake up 1000 years later and everyone around is gone.. or robots.. or both.. or neither and the fate of humanity is in your Canadian hands.
    Like Bioshock, SOMA takes place underwater and is terrifying and relaxing simultaneously.
    The game is so varied and well-paced that even getting scared half to death is actually fun.
    There’s no telling what if anything lurks behind the corners as you make your way through sea and buildings throwing switches and solving the problems thrown at you.
    There are mechanical monsters of all variation in SOMA, these encounters keep you on the edge of your seat and are forgiving enough to not make the game ever feel frustrating.
    While these encounters are terrifying, you’ll rarely die if caught, you’ll only be much slower and have blurred vision, which leads to a very casual friendly experience.
    To shake the blurriness you can find these weird monster mouth things to stick your hand into… or monster butts.. or something else.
    I’m not sure what these are but they heal you.
    You’re given no weapons in SOMA, if a monsters around, your only options are to turn off your flashlight and hide, try to sneak past them, or run as fast as you can while a fluid thirsty alien looking robot is chasing you down the halls, just try not to run into a dead end, or you’ll meet your dead end.
    The majority of the gameplay though is trying to create a domino effect of unlocking doors to proceed to the next section of the game and soak in all of the information you can about this world you’ve woken up in.
    What makes Soma so great though is that the story is always being pushed forward.
    Back tracking hardly exists, and when it does it’s in a very confined space.
    Of course you’ll have to run back down stairs to open a door you’ve unlocked, but you never have to go back to areas you’ve completed in the game.
    Which leads me to the sea, the sea sections to me were really the most relaxing sections,
    I found the deep blue to be beautiful.
    There are very few threats out here and it does a great job of making the entire game feel connected and whole.
    I’ve never enjoyed being scared by anything until I played SOMA.
    If you’re a fan of horror in anyway, you owe it to yourself to play this game.
    For what it is

    Survival Horror:
    9/10

    Overall:
    8.5/10
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  24. Apr 19, 2017
    9
    Frictional Games done it again after Amnesia!
    Now this one is even better, and not only that but one of the most special, unique and memorably games you'll ever play. Great levels and nice idea and the story is Amazing and that ending is wow. Its world reminds of Bioshock, beautiful yet creepy. Even if you are not a horror fan, you'll love this one.
  25. Nov 21, 2017
    9
    Игра напоминает фильм "Шестой день" со Шварцем, рассказывающий про клонов. Великолепная подача, крутейший сюжет и финал. Очень атмосферное приключение для думающих людей. Мнение о концовке (спойлеры) - http://gamenewsblog.ru/2017/11/kontsovka-i-smysl-igry-soma-razbor-syuzheta-so-spojlerami/Игра напоминает фильм "Шестой день" со Шварцем, рассказывающий про клонов. Великолепная подача, крутейший сюжет и финал. Очень атмосферное приключение для думающих людей. Мнение о концовке (спойлеры) - http://gamenewsblog.ru/2017/11/kontsovka-i-smysl-igry-soma-razbor-syuzheta-so-spojlerami/
  26. Oct 8, 2015
    9
    I was interested in this game basically because it is signed by Frictional Games, and that means the game is gonna be great. But as soon as I started playing this game myself I figured out I was understimating it.
    Soma is not a great game, it is simply amazing.
    The setting is so well done. It is a complete sci-fi adventure and I really enjoyed the enviroments of all the stations. When
    I was interested in this game basically because it is signed by Frictional Games, and that means the game is gonna be great. But as soon as I started playing this game myself I figured out I was understimating it.
    Soma is not a great game, it is simply amazing.

    The setting is so well done. It is a complete sci-fi adventure and I really enjoyed the enviroments of all the stations. When you travel through Pathos-II you actually get that sci-fi feeling. Everything is prepared to give you a full immersion in the near future.
    Let's talk about some horror. SOMA is scary, it is not its strenght though. I'll find some parts of the game where you will be actually freaked out but it won't affect all the playthrough. Also, when you actually understand how monsters work you can manage to avoid them if you play smart enough.
    Anyway the whole atmosphere is definetly horror. You always have the feeling that something went terribly wrong down there, and I really enjoyed that.

    But let's talk about the strength of this title: the narrative and plot. Soma has a definitely strong plot which is really full of mysteries. The whole story is narrated very well. You get to know it piece by piece, between a danger and the other. The game won't ever simply throw everything up to your face, but it will say always little pieces of the main story so you'll keep playing even just to find out more about what's going on.
    But SOMA has even more to offer. This game makes you really think about some topics. It starts playing and messing around with our concept of existence, of life and of counsciousness. It really makes you reflect about who we are.

    In conclusion, you should really buy this game. It is not one of those game you play, finish and then completely forget about. I'm sure you will remember SOMA, or at least, the questions you made to yourself while playing it.
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  27. Nov 4, 2015
    9
    a very well told mystery horror story.
    a not to clarify other reviews:
    this game uses philosophical theme to amplify the horror of it. when u are not sure about anything it makes the game better :). the talos principle is the other way around. it uses gameplay to amplify the ideas behind it (and actually refers to many philosophers). this game uses philosophy to amplify the gameplay.
    a very well told mystery horror story.
    a not to clarify other reviews:
    this game uses philosophical theme to amplify the horror of it. when u are not sure about anything it makes the game better :).
    the talos principle is the other way around. it uses gameplay to amplify the ideas behind it (and actually refers to many philosophers). this game uses philosophy to amplify the gameplay.

    don't read spoilers. u'll enjoy it more.

    was actually scared at several moments. amnesia was scarier to me. this game is better overall though.
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  28. Sep 24, 2015
    9
    SOMA is a brilliantly crafted horror game that breaks free of survival horror stereotypes to bring us an amazingly poignant, story driven, surreal horror game.
  29. Nov 8, 2015
    9
    It's very good. Not perfect, but still good.
    Soma is a psychological horror game made by the same company behind Amnesia: The Dark Descent, so you know that this game is going to be good. There's a lot to this game, and as you go deeper and deeper into it, you start to dive deeper into insanity because some of the choices you have to make can really question if you're a good person
    It's very good. Not perfect, but still good.
    Soma is a psychological horror game made by the same company behind Amnesia: The Dark Descent, so you know that this game is going to be good. There's a lot to this game, and as you go deeper and deeper into it, you start to dive deeper into insanity because some of the choices you have to make can really question if you're a good person anymore. Then again, that may just be me; you get the point. The puzzles are pretty hard, and in this case, it's not that good because this game more focuses on story than any, so the puzzles are a no. Plus the stealth parts of the game are pretty sloppy, so don't expect too much from that. The jumpscares are pretty lenient, so the game fortunately doesn't fall under that trap.
    Overall, Soma is a solid horror experience, it has most of what you expect out of a horror game, a spoopy atmosphere, the uneasy feeling as you make choices, and the engaging story make this game worth your time. While it's not perfect, it makes for an intense horror experience.

    Soma gets a 9/10.
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  30. Oct 8, 2015
    9
    Frictional Games achieves making a unique new game after the enormous success of Amnesia without leaving anything behind. Providing a story with philosophical theme filled with great characters, this adventure is absolutely gorgeous, terrorizing and heartwarming.
    Walk into the abyss, leave everything behind, ask yourself about your own human condition and question every single aspect of
    Frictional Games achieves making a unique new game after the enormous success of Amnesia without leaving anything behind. Providing a story with philosophical theme filled with great characters, this adventure is absolutely gorgeous, terrorizing and heartwarming.
    Walk into the abyss, leave everything behind, ask yourself about your own human condition and question every single aspect of your existence. SOMA is something more than a horror game, it is also a window into mankind´s soul.
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  31. Oct 9, 2015
    9
    В очередной раз убедился в превосходстве инди-хорроров над ААА-хоррорами с набившими оскомину кат-сценами. По геймплею ничего нового, все те же игры в прятки как в Amnesia и Alien: Isolation, но с большим упором на сюжет, который может и не назовешь твердой научной фантастикой, некая упрощенность все же присутствует, но подан он хорошо и ненавязчиво.

    После финальных титров есть кусок
    В очередной раз убедился в превосходстве инди-хорроров над ААА-хоррорами с набившими оскомину кат-сценами. По геймплею ничего нового, все те же игры в прятки как в Amnesia и Alien: Isolation, но с большим упором на сюжет, который может и не назовешь твердой научной фантастикой, некая упрощенность все же присутствует, но подан он хорошо и ненавязчиво.

    После финальных титров есть кусок геймплея и единственная за всю игру полноценная кат-сцена.
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  32. Oct 14, 2015
    9
    This game is certainly far from perfection, but few games manage to tell such an engrossing, interesting story, that will really make you stop and think. It's fear factor doesn't even come close to that of Amnesia TDD, but it's exceptional audio desgin combined with the thought provoking story, make for an incredibly immersive, unsettling atmosphere. It may not be the scariest horror titleThis game is certainly far from perfection, but few games manage to tell such an engrossing, interesting story, that will really make you stop and think. It's fear factor doesn't even come close to that of Amnesia TDD, but it's exceptional audio desgin combined with the thought provoking story, make for an incredibly immersive, unsettling atmosphere. It may not be the scariest horror title ever made, but in terms of story, and the overall experience, it is for sure one of my favorite games this year Expand
  33. Oct 18, 2015
    9
    SOMA over all its not perfect but when it comes to making you feel powerless confused on what to do scared of whats around you it does a Perfect job at making you feel powerless. at times the story makes you feel like a monster to move forward and the suffering you see in the NPC's its a great game I give it a 9 you guys should go try it or take a look at my youtube channel PlayerSOMA over all its not perfect but when it comes to making you feel powerless confused on what to do scared of whats around you it does a Perfect job at making you feel powerless. at times the story makes you feel like a monster to move forward and the suffering you see in the NPC's its a great game I give it a 9 you guys should go try it or take a look at my youtube channel Player Character Theater the story is just over so good its hard to not give this a 9 this is the start of the game so it does not give away to much https://youtu.be/-Zkr0ErvvWY I hope this helps its got a really good story you all should buy game Expand
  34. Mar 22, 2019
    9
    Paradoxically, SOMA is a unique example when monsters aren't needed in the horror game, they just interfere and annoy. SOMA the most plot-oriented horror game of whole horror genre.
  35. Nov 16, 2015
    9
    Didn't go in with much of an expection and was blown away. Expect 7-9 hours of exciting gameplay, mainly based on exploration and storytelling. While the story is for the most part good, i saw the end coming a mile away - But still. i warmly recommend it
  36. Apr 27, 2016
    9
    I found this interesting at first then it slowly consumed me. I highly recommend if you like atmospheric first person survival horror games with occasional puzzles and question what it means to be human
  37. Apr 5, 2017
    9
    A very atmospheric first person sci-fi horror game.

    The story starts with you going for a brain scan. After an accident you've got little time to live so you go for an experimental treatment where they're going to take a full scan of your brain. You sit in a chair and the vision goes black. When you wake up you're somewhere completely different - in a space station looking like
    A very atmospheric first person sci-fi horror game.

    The story starts with you going for a brain scan. After an accident you've got little time to live so you go for an experimental treatment where they're going to take a full scan of your brain. You sit in a chair and the vision goes black. When you wake up you're somewhere completely different - in a space station looking like environment. And here's where the real game starts - you go on discovering where you exactly are, how you got there and how will you be able to escape.

    I'm not a big fan of horror games but I must admit I enjoyed this quite a bit. Probably because of a nice balance between the horror scary parts and the exploration parts. And there is quite a lot of exploration and puzzle solving apart from running scared from the entity hunting the underwater research facility which you get to travel through.

    Graphics are really nicely done. It's dark, it's damp - it's very atmospheric. The world design is top notch as well. The facility does feel very alien like sci-fi. There's plenty to discover about the previous inhabitants leaving on the base. A nice touch - you're able to pick up any object even though it serves no purpose - but it's fine to do. Looking at numerous photographs also adds to the back story of the full game.

    A bit let off is that it does take place underwater and there are plenty of water levels (ugh!). And while the visuals are really nice I did got lost once or twice in them and did not enjoy them as much as the rest of the games. Though entering the really deep ocean places was impressive and scary.

    The game is driven by two mechanics - exploration puzzles and horror survival. The first part was definitely enjoyable - you go around the bases, switch a lever here, push a button there. The exploration feels interesting and the puzzles are not that complicated. The survival horror is similar to Amnesia - you have nothing and IT's coming. Not as scary as Amnesia but still too scary for my personal liking.

    The game asks interesting questions about identity, consciousness and what it means to be alive. And answers them almost perfectly as far as I'm concerned. Especially with the epilogue. A really nice food for thought.

    Overall a great game with a great atmosphere. Highly recommend.
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  38. Dec 3, 2015
    9
    One of the greatest FPS sci-fi horror games (though there are not many of them).
    Super detailed world, stunning atmosphere. I feel like I want to play it again and again just to know all the details.
    It could be 10, but the game lacks of some action and interactivity.
  39. Dec 17, 2015
    9
    Anyone with a taste for deep, meaningful stories shouldn't miss SOMA, a game that will leave you questioning what it means to be long after you've played. As the pro reviewers put it, the greatest horror of SOMA is coming to terms with reality, and it isn't easy.
  40. Jan 22, 2016
    9
    SOMA is an absolutely breathtaking trip to the depths of the world. At first I thought we were in deep space, but when a huge hammerhead shark appear I was revived. The pace of the game is beautiful too, yet I feel the scares could be more intense and last for longer. It is not a game very much like Amnesia, that lives on deep psychological horror, but a voyage instead into the depths ofSOMA is an absolutely breathtaking trip to the depths of the world. At first I thought we were in deep space, but when a huge hammerhead shark appear I was revived. The pace of the game is beautiful too, yet I feel the scares could be more intense and last for longer. It is not a game very much like Amnesia, that lives on deep psychological horror, but a voyage instead into the depths of the human mind, raising some incredible thoughts and questions of existence and morality and that for me won the entire gaming experience. The sounds, environments, dialogues, (did I refer sounds) and storytelling clearly survive on it's own. Fans of Amnesia will feel a bit disappointed after expecting it to be as intense as it, but truth being said I was one of those but the gain in psychological involvement and empiricism cut the chase to which won the ranking. It was amazing, truly, to be immersed in an sci-fi experience that did not lack on eerie and horror packed scenes but was also much more than just that. The no lag experience on my pc added to the experience - it flowed almost flawlessly and I am glad I played this on pc instead of in my PS. The cut scenes and dialogues add to the experience of the game and aid you in feeling a sense of belonging, something I somehow always lacked in Amnesia that felt cold all the time (which was obviously their goal). If you played Alien Isolation you will feel it is similar in so many ways to it, even though not as detailed, but what you lose in detail you gain in opportunity to roam around and endlessly explore, something I always love to do. Also sometimes I felt that I missed some door, locker or something due to running away from monsters, which added to the feeling of being able to replay the game and still be awed. Options and moral decisions also play a part in this and added to the psychological thrill. All in all SOMA is an amazing experience, not as scary as Amnesia but it is also so completely different they lack terms to be compared. It is yet one powerful piece of art and should be played with intense openness and respect. Absolutely amazing Frictional. Expand
  41. Mar 23, 2016
    9
    Very good game. I expected no less from the creators of Amnesia. Atmosphere is awesome and fear is always present. Whole story is unique and the environment makes it even better. This psychological horror will make you think about meaning of life. The puzzles could have been done a bit more difficult, though.
  42. Aug 17, 2016
    9
    Gotta love this one! Not as scary as Amnesia, but scary enough with great storytelling. The atmosphere is fantastic and the graphics are quite good. It was a great experience.
  43. Aug 17, 2016
    9
    One of my favorite horrors of all time - I loved every minute of it even though I was really scared most of the time! The audiovisuals were impressive, too.
  44. Aug 28, 2016
    9
    This game doesn't end. Even when you see the black screen, its story and speeches remains in your head and make you think.. Good gameplay, good story, good game. 9/10
  45. Jun 16, 2018
    9
    Великолепная игра! Отличный сюжет, который держит в напряжении до самого конца.
  46. Nov 16, 2019
    9
    Frictionnal games did it again. A good scifi/horror told in a very calculated way. Great atmosphere and sounds. Graphics are pretty good. All the underwater is very similar to Bioshock. Control are great with a controller. I give it 92%. I mean I have nothing bad to say about it. It's just a fun scary game.
  47. Dec 11, 2020
    9
    This is an amazing game. The story is intriguing and disturbing. Its world is monstrously beautiful. Just traveling through this world and discovering what happened, and why you are there, is one of the best journeys I've had in gaming. The existential dread this game left me with afterwards, lingered for weeks, so you know the story was well executed.

    The only reason I can't give it a
    This is an amazing game. The story is intriguing and disturbing. Its world is monstrously beautiful. Just traveling through this world and discovering what happened, and why you are there, is one of the best journeys I've had in gaming. The existential dread this game left me with afterwards, lingered for weeks, so you know the story was well executed.

    The only reason I can't give it a 10/10 is because of the monsters. While I love their creepy designs, it would've been better to just have them be passive wanderers, rather than actual threats. Sneaking around them really just takes away from the game. Just encountering them as some kind of mysterious entities would've worked better for this game. Other than that, this game is amazing and one of my absolute favourites.
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  48. Aug 15, 2018
    9
    One of the best game horrors ever made, it can be put on the same shelf with Silent Hill 2. Mood of the game is astonishing and the plot is very clever and interesting. Very close to 10/10!
  49. May 10, 2018
    9
    Dead space, которого так хотелось
    Биошок, о котором все мечтали
    все эти восторженные эпитеты в сторону истории, ее подачи и общей гнетущей атмосферы геймплея до злости мало, впрочем меня устраивает. других игроков - нет, продажи говорят сами за себя. первая амнезия ушла за 3 миллиона копии, а Сома и 400 тысяч не пробила. так что, однозначно - да, для поклонников Фрикшионал и хорроров в
    Dead space, которого так хотелось
    Биошок, о котором все мечтали
    все эти восторженные эпитеты в сторону истории, ее подачи и общей гнетущей атмосферы
    геймплея до злости мало, впрочем меня устраивает. других игроков - нет, продажи говорят сами за себя. первая амнезия ушла за 3 миллиона копии, а Сома и 400 тысяч не пробила. так что,
    однозначно - да, для поклонников Фрикшионал и хорроров в целом абсолютный маст хэв.
    и нет - для тех, кто предпочитает много-много экшна и слабо знаком с почерком шведов...
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  50. Feb 20, 2023
    9
    SOMA took a while to grow on me, but when it did... holy **** A truly brain-bending concept executed in a brilliant manner. What irritated me initially were the significant resemblances to other classic games, such as Dead Space and BioShock, but eventually SOMA found its own character and became a deeply immersive experience. In many ways the exploration of the underwater base (and openSOMA took a while to grow on me, but when it did... holy **** A truly brain-bending concept executed in a brilliant manner. What irritated me initially were the significant resemblances to other classic games, such as Dead Space and BioShock, but eventually SOMA found its own character and became a deeply immersive experience. In many ways the exploration of the underwater base (and open seafloor) was very realistic, and always immersed in a thick and tense atmosphere, created by the world and character design, music, sound, and charismatic and convincing voice acting. It could be better visually (which I guess is down to the relatively small team behind it), but that didn't prevent it from providing some of the most intense and profound moments I've ever experienced in a game.

    A definite must-play.
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  51. Dec 28, 2022
    9
    One of the best stories in horror gaming. This game didn't need the annoying monster chases from Outlast and Amnesia. It stands on its amazing plot alone. Definitely recommended for people who like deep sci-fi stories about the human condition and other interesting themes. Frictional Games nails it.
  52. Jun 2, 2019
    9
    Beautiful simulation of the rotation of objects, as in Until Down straight. You can also admire yourself in the mirror.

    Total: 9/10.

    P.S. The game is really worth going through - the atmosphere and the plot is absolutely enchanting.
  53. Nov 11, 2020
    9
    Best survival horror game I've played. Usually in these games it's not that scary anymore after a while, but this one is scary all the way. The story is really good.
  54. Dec 30, 2019
    9
    SOMA is a thought provoking horror atmospheric game.
    The storytelling is vague and deep, you need to uncover the mystery of what happened to the world, the themes are complicated and made me think a lot after i finished the game, it asks a lot of deep questions about humanity and identity. Characters are presented via their backstory.
    Puzzles are funny although easier than Amnesia. The
    SOMA is a thought provoking horror atmospheric game.
    The storytelling is vague and deep, you need to uncover the mystery of what happened to the world, the themes are complicated and made me think a lot after i finished the game, it asks a lot of deep questions about humanity and identity. Characters are presented via their backstory.
    Puzzles are funny although easier than Amnesia.
    The scare factor is also lower than most famous horror games, however the atmosphere and the story is what makes it disturbing.
    Gameplay is minimal and its mostly puzzles and walking.
    Soundtrack is great.

    One of the fines Sci-Fi horror games of all time. Definitely recommended.

    8.8/10
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  55. Jun 10, 2023
    9
    ====================IIIIIIIIII GAME SCORE : 88 IIIIIIIIII====================
  56. Apr 4, 2019
    9
    For a long time I didn't experienced so great immerse game. Everything works here perfectly. From atmosphere, through story to audio. I'm not saying is the most terrifying game ever, but some moments truly gave my some chill. But the most important thing in Soma is the story, characters, whole idea and a message hidden between lines. It's something everybody should experience.
  57. Feb 6, 2020
    9
    9/10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  58. Jan 11, 2021
    9
    Awesome game, after so many years i still consider it one of the best in its segment. Touching and strong story, interesting concept, memorable characters - all this gave me unforgettable experience
  59. May 18, 2020
    9
    Wonderful atmosphere! Amazing story! Great gameplay! Excellent mixture of "Sci-fi"&"Horror"! A must-play if you are into these genres! 15hrs on record.
  60. Oct 30, 2019
    9
    The game was great, it had a nice mix of horror, beautiful scenery and somewhat thoughtful philosophy.
  61. Jan 17, 2022
    9
    스토리텔링과 주제의식을 통해 공포를 이끌어내는 기발한 발상.. 공포게임이 단순한 점프스케어와 추격으로만 이뤄져있지 않다는걸 SOMA를 통해 증명했다.
  62. May 1, 2020
    9
    This really is one of the best stories I have experienced in a video game and although my last play through was a couple of years ago I still regularly think about the games themes. It's a masterpiece in the way it slowly unravels a complex and engrossing story through the slow drip feed of information. I found the twists and turns of the plot deeply moving and i'm sure i will be thinkingThis really is one of the best stories I have experienced in a video game and although my last play through was a couple of years ago I still regularly think about the games themes. It's a masterpiece in the way it slowly unravels a complex and engrossing story through the slow drip feed of information. I found the twists and turns of the plot deeply moving and i'm sure i will be thinking about it in years to come. I'm still not sure if the 'monsters' should be in the game. The constant awareness that danger could be round the corner adds hugely to the atmosphere but generally when you meet them it can be frustrating. This should not put anyone off though and if you are a fan of sci-fi this is an essential game to play. Expand
  63. Jul 26, 2022
    9
    Один из лучших НФ сюжетов в играх, как будто прочитал хороший фантастический роман
  64. Jun 24, 2020
    9
    This game is far beyond a mainstream horror game, and it is not about graphics, gameplay, or well-designed monsters. All of them were good though. Just the story. This clearly one of the best stories I've ever experienced in a video game. Full of philosophical and psychological questions with great storytelling.
  65. Aug 5, 2020
    9
    ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍
  66. Dec 25, 2021
    9
    SOMA is a fantastic psychological horror that covers topics on existentialism as you traverse the unique underwater labyrinth while trying to hide from the horrors of our own creation. This game will leave you pondering your actions more and make you feel uneasy, using not only the monsters hidden in the various sites but the atmosphere of loneliness and dread.
  67. Aug 5, 2020
    9
    yes. If you, like me, constantly grapple with existential crises then this is your game.
  68. Aug 22, 2020
    9
    Pierwszy horror w którym miałem gęsią skórkę podczas przeczesywania korytarzy. Historia bardzo intrygująca. Potwory przerażające, niestety AI kuleje.
  69. Aug 11, 2023
    9
    Very good game. I enjoyed playing this game a lot. I strongly recommend this.
  70. Nov 25, 2022
    9
    Would you give up your own consciousness for a better life? They say the next life will be better, can you believe it? I mean.. Maybe it doesn't matter if you die while you can think.
    Soma is a game that handles psychological horror elements very well and combines it with an excellent story. He brought a different perspective to robots in human appearance. He made us feel pity for robots
    Would you give up your own consciousness for a better life? They say the next life will be better, can you believe it? I mean.. Maybe it doesn't matter if you die while you can think.
    Soma is a game that handles psychological horror elements very well and combines it with an excellent story. He brought a different perspective to robots in human appearance. He made us feel pity for robots without human appearance. It's impressive in that way, too. If you are looking for a game like a movie, definitely play it.
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  71. Mar 17, 2022
    9
    Im not a fan of horror games. But this story and atmosphere of this game made me play it and I am glad I did. This game makes you think. Makes you question reality and existence. I for one enjoy such thought experiments and thoroughly enjoyed what this did to my mind throughout it. If you are looking for thrills and scares, this might not be it, but if you are looking for plot andIm not a fan of horror games. But this story and atmosphere of this game made me play it and I am glad I did. This game makes you think. Makes you question reality and existence. I for one enjoy such thought experiments and thoroughly enjoyed what this did to my mind throughout it. If you are looking for thrills and scares, this might not be it, but if you are looking for plot and thoughtful disposition, you came to the right place. Expand
  72. Jul 22, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Soma is a science fiction horror game with a unique setting and psychological storyline that will leave you thinking about it long after you’ve finished playing. The less you know going in the better. Truly a must play for fans of horror and science fiction. Expand
  73. Jul 30, 2021
    9
    Soma successfully become one of my favorite pc game. I started playing without knowing much about the story and some plot twist were really nice to experience... even if we saw them in some other story or movie, here we live them in fist person and it makes us fell different.

    I loved the art and the poetry of the game. The atmosphere remembers Bioshok very much and alternates moments of
    Soma successfully become one of my favorite pc game. I started playing without knowing much about the story and some plot twist were really nice to experience... even if we saw them in some other story or movie, here we live them in fist person and it makes us fell different.

    I loved the art and the poetry of the game. The atmosphere remembers Bioshok very much and alternates moments of adrenaline with nice moments of exploration. You will feel alone most of the time but the research and the encounters with the others survivors will motivate you, (I found the company of their voices a nice relief too).

    The graphic is really nice if you don't look for the latest feature of technology. The story, the gameplay and the art style are really good. About the horror part, the game is scary, but not too much and not the whole time and this is also positive for me.
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  74. Nov 13, 2021
    9
    Хорошее погружение не только на дно но и в саму эту атмосферу безнадежности где только ты и заброшенные водные базы.
  75. Dec 11, 2021
    9
    SOMA really surprised me, I started playing thinking like "ok this is going to be an AI horror game, nice" but it's so much more than that. It is not the scariest game in terms of jumpscares and chases (and it doesn't need to, honeslty), but it has a scary plot, and that's where the game is the strongest. It's a game that I finnished some time ago but still think about it's narrative aSOMA really surprised me, I started playing thinking like "ok this is going to be an AI horror game, nice" but it's so much more than that. It is not the scariest game in terms of jumpscares and chases (and it doesn't need to, honeslty), but it has a scary plot, and that's where the game is the strongest. It's a game that I finnished some time ago but still think about it's narrative a lot. I highly recommend this game. Expand
  76. Jan 17, 2023
    9
    Um dos melhores jogos de terror em primeira pessoa, você acorda em uma nave no espaço sem nenhum contexto, você deve explorar essa nave cheia de perigos e mistérios em torno dos acontecimentos do cenário. Com narrativa profunda e terror de deixar marmanjo de cueca molhada.
    Nota Final: 9,0
  77. Aug 31, 2022
    9
    Hi,

    I am Abdallah Mezzouri, lets talk Soma... SOMA has one of the most complicated stories I have ever experienced in a video game yet! and above all else it makes you go on a emotional roller coaster. Now for the Environments , You can interact with almost everything for example if you need to get to the top of something you just simply grab a chair or whatever there is in that
    Hi,

    I am Abdallah Mezzouri, lets talk Soma...

    SOMA has one of the most complicated stories I have ever experienced in a video game yet! and above all else it makes you go on a emotional roller coaster.

    Now for the Environments , You can interact with almost everything for example if you need to get to the top of something you just simply grab a chair or whatever there is in that specific environment that will get you up there, and the environments are just stunning while playing. I can remember just exploring the world for 15 minutes just doing nothing but admire the game. Of course it’s a horror game so there are creepy places but that’s where you can see the environment really shine, it really makes you feel like your in there scared of what’s about to happen next.

    The Gameplay is very unique which makes you want to play you and in the game you will be running from HORRIFIC beings.

    The Puzzles really compliment the environment and Game design , there is a puzzle where you have to find a Employee number to log in to a PC in game so you look around in this abandoned futuristic world and see a dead body in the hall way and on him there is a tag with that persons information and on there you see a 4 digit number and of course you are going to try that code on the PC and it works! There are of course better examples but this one was at the top of my head.

    I have no complaints about the game! But this is not for everyone because I've noticed its very slow-paced and that might not be for everyone, that's why i am giving SOMA a 9/10!

    Thank you for reading my review.
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  78. Jan 30, 2023
    9
    Good. Story very good. Scary very much. Only downside - sometimes avoiding enemy is annoying.
  79. Mar 19, 2023
    9
    Frictional Games can make games, Amnesia, Penumbra are really great titles, and now Soma, great job. The plot is very interesting and thanks to it the game is really addictive, and the ending makes you think about every choice you made during the game. The graphics are very good for me, but I never have any high requirements in this respect. The sound as well, ambient noises or theFrictional Games can make games, Amnesia, Penumbra are really great titles, and now Soma, great job. The plot is very interesting and thanks to it the game is really addictive, and the ending makes you think about every choice you made during the game. The graphics are very good for me, but I never have any high requirements in this respect. The sound as well, ambient noises or the monstrous screams of a creature called Proxy are very well realized. The gameplay is simple, however, this game cannot be called a walking simulator, we solve a lot of puzzles here or hide from opponents, it is not the most mechanically complex horror game, but it does not interfere with the fun. I recommend checking it out to every horror lover, he shouldn't be disappointed.
    9/10
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  80. ave
    Dec 31, 2017
    8
    I came to Soma with some assumptions from the previous Frictional games (namely Amnesia) - both good and bad.

    First, I really liked the fact that, after establishing your "character" in his "everyday life", the developers screws the player and left him alone to figure out almost... everything. For me Soma is a good sci-fi interactive novel that tries to answer - or at least explore -
    I came to Soma with some assumptions from the previous Frictional games (namely Amnesia) - both good and bad.

    First, I really liked the fact that, after establishing your "character" in his "everyday life", the developers screws the player and left him alone to figure out almost... everything.

    For me Soma is a good sci-fi interactive novel that tries to answer - or at least explore - the ramifications of deep questions about what it is to be human ; not unlike Talos Principle and with winks at popular games like Bioshock.

    And because of that, even if I find the "monsters" kinda scary, they are not really meaningful and more... something to get past in order to further your exploration and understanding of yourself and the situation you're in.

    Many times I wished I started the adventure without them, just to enjoy the journey at my own pace.
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  81. Sep 23, 2015
    8
    Soma is a great example of what a horror game can be. An interesting setting mixed with a very well crafted story that doesn't get carried by unexpectable twists but by the way the story is continously presented to the player. Soma comes pretty close to what defines sci-fi, not only the futuristic setting but also exploring the possibilities of the future and how they would affect theSoma is a great example of what a horror game can be. An interesting setting mixed with a very well crafted story that doesn't get carried by unexpectable twists but by the way the story is continously presented to the player. Soma comes pretty close to what defines sci-fi, not only the futuristic setting but also exploring the possibilities of the future and how they would affect the protagonist.

    Where Soma stumbles ist the feeling that it drags itself out for a little too long, much like Alien Isolation Soma doesn't know when to stop. After the eight easteregg hunt, even the monsters start to get just annoying as they keep you away from what you actually wand to experience. The story and strange world of Soma. However, at this point i was invested enough in the protagonists story and the one of his sidekick that i carried on.

    In the end, Soma is worth it for it's atmosphere alone but prepare for some drawn-out easter egg hunts inbetween.
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  82. Oct 13, 2015
    8
    Soma is one of the better horror games to come out in awhile and I am pleased to say that it delivers an engrossing story and atmosphere befitting of the genre.

    Frictional Games, creators of the Penumbra series as well as Amneia: Dark Descent, brings us the story of Simon Jerret, a brain damaged man from Toronto, Canada. What begins as a journey to hopefully heal and survive his
    Soma is one of the better horror games to come out in awhile and I am pleased to say that it delivers an engrossing story and atmosphere befitting of the genre.

    Frictional Games, creators of the Penumbra series as well as Amneia: Dark Descent, brings us the story of Simon Jerret, a brain damaged man from Toronto, Canada. What begins as a journey to hopefully heal and survive his traumatizing experience soon becomes a story of terror and survival under the unexplored oceans of Earth.

    The graphics of Soma aren't ground breaking but they do a good job of showcasing the different environments as you transition from different parts of Pathos II into the depths of the ocean and back again. Seeing the coral formations, sea wildlife, and the aged buildings in disrepair help to immerse the player and give a sense of dread as you slowly realize what is going on in the world. Pipes burst from the walls seeping black ooze onto the floors and machinery. The dim lighting casts eerie shadows onto the walls painting a picture of dread and fear as you walk through the hallways.

    The game does a good job of giving you enough light to see where you are going and what you need to find without having to resort to cheap pitch black areas where you will endlessly grope in hopes of finding your objective like most cheaply made games do. The enemy design is a well blended combination of science fiction meets Lovecraftian horror and befits the world of Pathos II and the unexplored depths of the ocean floor.

    The sound design seems very simple, with music only appearing after objectives are completed or something important to the narrative has happened. It's just you, the sound of your footsteps echoing through the halls, and the occasional blare of a computer or air vent attempting to sound relevant in a dead world. It is odd that sounds appear to be the same during the ocean traveling bits as they are inside the research facility, but doesn't detract from the game too much. The voice acting is hit or miss as the queues between characters sometimes feels flat or out of place. The voice of the main character is probably the best of the cast as he voices his frustrations and concerns within his environment.

    The gameplay is probably what separates this game from many of its competitors. There is no combat whatsoever. At first glance this game may seem similar to Alien:Isolation but the player will quickly learn that no weapons exist for Simon to use. The character can interact with objects found throughout the environment ala Penumbra or Amnesia but there is a lot of clutter that is at odds with the rest of the game. It could be seen that the developers wanted to showcase their physics engine as if this were new technology, but it could be the fault of the game's engine more than an actual design feature since Frictional Games are using the same engine. The segments between each enemy are composed of hiding in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to pass or using objects to distract them from your position. There is one interesting bit later in the game where your standard duck and hide or throw a bottle in the opposite direction does not work and is refreshing to see at later stages in the game.

    The scare factor will be hit or miss for some. There are a minimal number of jump scares and even these are used to full effect with the game building suspense between encounters or points in the story where it is necessary. Most of the horror will be built with the game's artistic and sound design and your own psyche using the environment to instill a sense of the unknown as to when your next encounter may be. Soma does not pay homage to traditional modes such as extreme violence and gore. You won't find blood spattered all over walls or bodies mutilated beyond belief. There is the occasional headless corpse or blood stains where it is obvious that someone was either hurt or killed in that area. The lack of jump scares may deter some people but if you are a fan of great atmosphere and suspense then Soma will surprise you.

    On a minor note, there is one aspect of this game that is a bit troublesome for some. The choices that you make throughout the game do not impact the narrative and are included more for you as the player to weigh the impact of your decisions, to which there is nothing wrong with, but it would have been fun to see if different choices impacted the story at all. It's a small thing that many have noticed but the overall experience of the game is worth the price.

    Soma was worth the long wait and Frictional Games has proven, again, that they are masterful story tellers and wonderful game designers.
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  83. Oct 3, 2015
    8
    Frictional games titles still are a bit amateurish on the gameplay aspect, but they still are a 10/10 in inmersion and narrative too. Even if this is not as frightening as Amnesia, it's still VERY frightening. Some aspects of the story are left untold and I don't think we will ever grasp exactly what's going on there under the ocean, but still the bits of lore offer enough info to get theFrictional games titles still are a bit amateurish on the gameplay aspect, but they still are a 10/10 in inmersion and narrative too. Even if this is not as frightening as Amnesia, it's still VERY frightening. Some aspects of the story are left untold and I don't think we will ever grasp exactly what's going on there under the ocean, but still the bits of lore offer enough info to get the general, wicked, idea. Expand
  84. sft
    Sep 8, 2020
    8
    A deep depression.

    8.25 /10 • Extremely evocative but seriously gloomy story. It's well executed, and is marred only by some clunky controls (PC) and the unremitting despair that it induces. Some humour really would have helped here – there's always room for humour, no matter how grim a story may be.
  85. Jun 5, 2019
    8
    I think it was kinda overrated, but still great.

    1. I think gameplay could be more complex because most puzzles are extremely easy to the point of feeling like a walking simulator for most of the time. There are some exceptions but it's never hard and never enough. 2. The horror element wasn't done badly but personally I think it was a bit forced. It was relatively repetitive and
    I think it was kinda overrated, but still great.

    1. I think gameplay could be more complex because most puzzles are extremely easy to the point of feeling like a walking simulator for most of the time. There are some exceptions but it's never hard and never enough.

    2. The horror element wasn't done badly but personally I think it was a bit forced. It was relatively repetitive and predictable, it did manage to scare little but it wasn't very pleasant. I guess it was also fan service.

    3. The story in general was the better part of the game, however it wasn't anything extremely revolutionary nowadays and the main character could have been a lot more intelligent.
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  86. Sep 25, 2015
    8
    This game is awesome! Reminds me of System Shock 2 and Dead Space but without the combat, just pure interactive storytelling. My only complaint is that the game is a bit too easy, they could have thrown in more/harder environmental puzzles. Still, it gave me 12 solid hrs of fun over a 2 day period where I couldn't think about anything else. Riveting and immersive
  87. Nov 12, 2015
    8
    Despite some narrative shortcomings---probably because of its heavy theme---SOMA is a unique, philosophically horrifying experience of a humanity which, desperate for survival, lost its way on the avenue of transhumanism.
  88. Sep 24, 2015
    8
    Only played a few hours so far but this game is excellent. Mixture of survival horror, psychological horror, puzzle solving, and exploration, with a strong story narrative. The visuals and sound design is fantastic. Although not the most scary of games it has its moments, and is mainly psychologically scary and in that respect it's great. It's quite slow paced but the better for it. It'sOnly played a few hours so far but this game is excellent. Mixture of survival horror, psychological horror, puzzle solving, and exploration, with a strong story narrative. The visuals and sound design is fantastic. Although not the most scary of games it has its moments, and is mainly psychologically scary and in that respect it's great. It's quite slow paced but the better for it. It's £20 and very good value. Solid 8 so far Expand
  89. May 13, 2017
    8
    SOMA might well be one of the best horror games I've played. It might not have the scare factor of Amnesia: The Dark Descent or the Penumbra games, but of course one can't rate a horror game solely on its horror elements. The story that SOMA tells is well paced and very intriguing. The character dynamics are interesting as well. The subject material isn't anything new, but it's always niceSOMA might well be one of the best horror games I've played. It might not have the scare factor of Amnesia: The Dark Descent or the Penumbra games, but of course one can't rate a horror game solely on its horror elements. The story that SOMA tells is well paced and very intriguing. The character dynamics are interesting as well. The subject material isn't anything new, but it's always nice to have games that are willing to deal with more complex themes. The philosophical elements don't quite reach the level of sophistication as I found in The Talos Principle (another puzzle game with philosophical undertones), but there is still plenty of food for thought.

    The gameplay mechanics are quite solid, and Frictional's unique control scheme does provide an enhanced sense of immersion. I also thought that the puzzles presented were intelligent and arose organically. It seems that some people found the monster encounters tedious or frustrating, however I did not feel this way. I'd say the monster encounters are comparable to the Alien in Alien: Isolation, in that being hit is generally a one-hit kill and small mistakes often lead to your own demise. Like Alien: Isolation, the encounters in SOMA require thorough observation, patience and calculated movements, rather than rash decisions to sprint from harm's way.

    As one would expect from Frictional Games, the atmosphere and environment is masterfully crafted with fantastic sound design and art direction. From a technical standpoint though, there is definitely room for improvement. Low-res textures do pop up fairly often, and it can take a few seconds for textures to load properly upon loading a save. Screen tearing was also quite prevalent, and what vsync options there were seemed to be mostly ineffective. Not to say the game looks bad, but the visuals do sometimes look outdated. Some other minor complaints I have is that the protagonist's tone of voice seems very calm given his predicament, and some of the dialogue can feel somewhat contrived.

    Overall rating - 8.3/10
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  90. Aug 17, 2016
    8
    I was really impressed by another Thomas Grip's child: Amnesia: The Dark Descent. SOMA is something like a continuation of this game but with much more deep story. And I think the story in SOMA is the most great thing in this game. But why 8/10? Because of not being scary. I don't like the deisng of the monsters and their mechanics.
  91. Sep 26, 2015
    8
    An interesting game, if I can call it that. It is more of an interactive experience than a game-game; a few light puzzles, some creeping around to avoid the monsters, lotsa atmosphere and "questions" that get answered by the end.... that kind of thing. The story is solid, if not really particularly interesting or original (or scary). Another take on today's insistent SF themes along theAn interesting game, if I can call it that. It is more of an interactive experience than a game-game; a few light puzzles, some creeping around to avoid the monsters, lotsa atmosphere and "questions" that get answered by the end.... that kind of thing. The story is solid, if not really particularly interesting or original (or scary). Another take on today's insistent SF themes along the lines of Matrix and P.K. Dick's work. But it is done well, as is the atmosphere, the graphics, the sound, writing, voicework... As a matter of fact, everything is.. done well.

    If you like linear gameplay railroading you into a pre-determined sequence of experiences ranging from fear to wonder, if you're still not tired of the "man vs machine" and "what is reality" themes and are simply looking for a well made and solid 12 or so hours of gameplay value with zero replayability then don't look further than SOMA.

    Oh and underwater environments are done particularly well, though I must admit the whole sea and rust theme gets old at one point. Maybe the devs should have added some thematic breaks along the way, the story would definitely allow it. And the protagonist we're supposed to identify with is none to bright as well as lacking any character or personality, a mortal sin imo. I know the devs do it so the audience can identify more easily with 1st person perspective but this is seriously misguided. The very point of fiction is that it allows you to identify with someone radically different from yourself, and perspective has nothing to do with it. At a few points in the dialogue I swear I thought I'm supposed to be playing Fry from Futurama, but without the charm.

    All in all, I'm giving it an 8. A good tight directed experience but maybe just a tad too tight and directed for me.
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  92. Sep 28, 2015
    8
    "POOP" - Nerdcubed - At some point
    "BOOOO" - Barrack Obama - At some point
    "You Suck" - Michelle Obama - At Some Point
    "It's actually a pretty amazing game when you think about it" - IGN -About Fallout
    No etwas only a joke. It's an amazing game which i definetly recommend for anyone who liked amnisia or just any horror game in genereral were you actually get scared
    -ME
  93. Sep 29, 2015
    8
    Soma has definitely met the expectations I've been garnering since I saw the first teaser all the way back in 2013. It's a first person adventure game with a sci-fi horror theme and both these themes are utilized to their full potential. The futuristic setting feels appropriately implemented and the various entities in the game feel unique. I absolutely love environmental story telling asSoma has definitely met the expectations I've been garnering since I saw the first teaser all the way back in 2013. It's a first person adventure game with a sci-fi horror theme and both these themes are utilized to their full potential. The futuristic setting feels appropriately implemented and the various entities in the game feel unique. I absolutely love environmental story telling as a medium for delivering a plot and Soma has this area covered. The way in which you receive information feels natural and believable, never really taking you out of the experience. Writing is great with one or two lines feeling a bit forced but the voice acting was absolutely phenomenal. The main character tends to express his emotions and each delivery was filled with emotion that conveyed such realism.

    The minute to minute game play of walking around searching different areas did start to wear out its welcome after a couple hours but the intense I drive had to continue playing once I stepped away was something I have not experience in a long time. Puzzles felt relatively simple and while I hate to admit it, I did glance at a walk through for a couple sections but I think I could have done just fine without them.

    The two biggest problems with the game are the load times and glitches. The game only loads once on the initial start up and after that it is seamless but man that load time was ridiculous. Glitches mainly had to do with enemies that seemed to be stuck in place. I don't know if some enemies were supposed to stay in the same spot but when I noticed them doing that, it immediately broke immersion. Aside from that, I'd say this game was definitely worth the $30 asking price for me. While the entertainment did not come from the game play design, the story was one of the most profound things I have ever experienced. The amazing thing is that this story works so well through the medium of a video game so your experience feels more significant after the end credits than it would if it was a movie or book. This game is a classic in my book.
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  94. Oct 24, 2015
    8
    Not a good horror actualy.But it' still very interesting and exciting.It makes you thought about life and what life means to us.If you wanted to play something new this is for you.
  95. Nov 24, 2015
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Another title from Frictional Games, the creators of Amnesia: The Dark Descent wildly appear after 2 years since first announcement to fulfill spot in sci-fi horror genre, SOMA.

    Guy, brain damage, experiment, empty underwater facility, robots and creatures. Shortly definition of SOMA without spoiling too much. You are taking role of Simon, guy who had accident and now is trying through experimental way with Dr.Mushi to fix problems although things go horrible wrong once when you need luck most. Simon wakes up in dark and empty facility where he needs to survive and figure out whats happening and where is he located.

    As Frictional Games predecessor you will find yourself in dark corners often trying to escape and avoid creatures, this time without sanity system which I’m not sure that is great idea. In fact once when you are in danger, screen glitches and distorts which contribute to immersion in begining but not so much for overall feeling and impression afterwards. This time you will be able to return something to them and potentialy neutralize them which makes situations a bit more challenging and interesting. New method of dying system which Frictional Games used for first time is one extra life, where after being spotted and “killed” you get second chance on same exact location but with bloody and blury screen; where you can either die and return to last checkpoint or find way to refill your health.

    Game is made in first person and once again you get chance to interact with world in same mechanics as in Amnesia. Click on a door to grab it, then push with the mouse to shove it open. Everything you touch, push or pick feels heavy and tangible. There are obviosly no weapons and despite already well known approach of hidding and running this feels for some reason a bit more complex then what actually it is.

    Essentially all comes to hidding and making progress from one destination but not always alone. Most impressive aspect of the game is probably PATHOS-II facility itself. As we mentioned its located underwater, at the bottom of the ocean, it’s like Rapture meets the Nostromo. Most of the time dark, claustrophobic full with metal corridors created of hard sci-fi set design which suits to atmosphere absolutely perfectly along with flickering lights and weird black alien goo seeping through cracks in the ceilings. You are supposed to investigate and go through couple different small facilities and eventually get to desired destination.

    Major difference with SOMA comparing to previus horror titles is that creatures are scary at first while once when you figure out what is happening and who is after you, it all come to hide and seek, but this time you have feeling that you are doing that with guards in completely other genre. Sure horror aspects are still here with everything above described but tension is going down as further as you progress and you will probably get more frustrated then scared as loong as you are stucked in one section. It feels like that SOMA deliver much more to sci-fi genre while horror aspects are here just to make things better. You will encounter couple different AI with different mechanics, while once you will try to be quite, next time you will need to avoid looking at your enemy and hope that he isnt going to appear behind your back. Some are faster, some not, sometimes you will need to get your strength and go for a run; all depends on your choice !

    Once in a while you will get opportunity to make step outside of facility where you can explore and enjoy in underwater world. It feels like that area is huge but it’s hard to lose yourself neither its possible to leave facility surrounding but you really dont have that feeling which is result of great level design. As inside you will encounter some puzzles and levels where exploring is important but also where you can leave behind some important and crucial info for overall story. This time there are no long notes which are narrated by character voices or you need to read them, in fact you get couple ways of collecting informations about story and characters around through audio recordings and couple more not so “natural” ways which I shouldnt explore if I want to avoid spoilers.

    There is another aspect which is expected to be seen in this kind of game. Puzzles. Personally I didnt encounter any frustrating puzzle while many complaints about same. They are not simple puzzles which you can solve in one room neither really fast but with logic and little bit of thinking you will find a solution which will usually require a bit of backtracking but nothing near that what we experianced in Amnesia. Despite having more distanced parts of facility you arent going to worry about backtracking on scary places or privious levels..well no if you already didnt go there for no reason which will most likely happen.
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  96. Feb 14, 2016
    8
    SOMA is an interesting Game.

    As a Game it is pretty decent. The Puzzles aren´t too hard and are most of the time pretty much predictable. For the most time it is find that thing and put it in that other thing. And do not get caught by some evil Monster! The sound, the world itself is, ironicaly, very beautiful and emersive. I do not like comparisons between games, so I will not give
    SOMA is an interesting Game.

    As a Game it is pretty decent. The Puzzles aren´t too hard and are most of the time pretty much predictable. For the most time it is find that thing and put it in that other thing. And do not get caught by some evil Monster!
    The sound, the world itself is, ironicaly, very beautiful and emersive. I do not like comparisons between games, so I will not give examples to other games here. One problem is: If you do not like waiting and looking for every little inch of backstory, then this is not for you.

    The main reason why I personally give this game a high rating is its really awesome story. Maybe for some people it is very dull or something, but for me the story is what makes this game so good.

    You can really feel the tension, the fear to be caught from these machine human hybrid monsters. You gather more and more back information and realize what happened to the crew, what happened to you. This game makes you think what it means to be human. It makes you questioning your sanity and everything you stood for. It begins very low, like you just kill the robot at the beginning without thinking too much about it. But then you realize what you are, and you have to make one decision after another, and one bigger than the other.
    I could talk days about the story. And try to think about what happens after the ending. It could drive you mad.

    All in all. Decent game. Nice graphics and sound. More thinky than scary. And an awesome story for me.
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  97. Oct 1, 2021
    8
    Геймплей 6/10
    Звук-музыка 8/10
    Графика 7/10 Интерфейс и управление: 7/10 Реиграбельность на один раз Достаточно интересный сюжет, но не оригинальный. Атмосфера на годном уровне. Звуковые сопровождения и эффекты более чем годные. Если бы игра была в виаре то 10 из 10.
    Геймплей 6/10
    Звук-музыка 8/10
    Графика 7/10
    Интерфейс и управление: 7/10
    Реиграбельность на один раз

    Достаточно интересный сюжет, но не оригинальный. Атмосфера на годном уровне. Звуковые сопровождения и эффекты более чем годные. Если бы игра была в виаре то 10 из 10.
  98. Nov 4, 2018
    8
    I normally do not play games like SOMA, but it caught my interest some time ago while I'd been watching a Let's Play of it. On principle I wouldn't think I'd enjoy a game where the player is defenseless against the enemies, but SOMA is so well-presented and so creepy that It's excusable. Compared to the earlier Amnesia: The Dark Descent, it's clear Frictional Games has learned a lot asI normally do not play games like SOMA, but it caught my interest some time ago while I'd been watching a Let's Play of it. On principle I wouldn't think I'd enjoy a game where the player is defenseless against the enemies, but SOMA is so well-presented and so creepy that It's excusable. Compared to the earlier Amnesia: The Dark Descent, it's clear Frictional Games has learned a lot as they've worked on this blend of horror and puzzle solving that characterizes their lineup.

    A Canadian man goes in for a brain scan one day, only to suddenly find himself transported far away and into a living nightmare, a crumbling undersea research base overgrown by techno-organic growths. SOMA is a game that asks difficult questions about what it means to be human, and saddles the player not with punishment or reward for their decisions but merely to reflect on them. It offers a particularly unpleasant take on the idea of transferring a consciousness from one body to another.

    SOMA flows much better then Dark Descent, and is more akin to Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, as it does away with inventory management in favor of a greater emphasis on narrative and psychological and existential horror. It retains the use of puzzles and using stealth to evade monsters as basic mechanics, but these are secondary to the experience of the game's bleak, chilling setting and you have the option of playing on a "Safe" mode where the monsters do not actively seek to harm you.

    SOMA impressed me overall and I'd be willing to play similar games in the future.
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  99. Nov 14, 2017
    8
    Интересный сюжет, хочется быстрее игру пройти и узнать чем история закончится. Враги немного приедаются, но не надоедают. Грустная концовка служит призом игроку за прохождение игры. Больше бы таких замечательных игр
  100. Feb 12, 2018
    8
    Im not into horror games whats so ever, but i heard SOMA is more of a adventure game with horror game elements than full blown horror experience, also the themes, the premise grabbed me so after 2 years being on my wish list i finaly started playing SOMA.

    And what can i say, its a great experience. The 2 main characters Simon and Catherine are quite superbly done both writing and voice
    Im not into horror games whats so ever, but i heard SOMA is more of a adventure game with horror game elements than full blown horror experience, also the themes, the premise grabbed me so after 2 years being on my wish list i finaly started playing SOMA.

    And what can i say, its a great experience. The 2 main characters Simon and Catherine are quite superbly done both writing and voice acting wise that reached a degree that i really felt and cared for them all the way till the end. Story is very good aswell and it handles themes excellently such as what it means to be human, to be sentient, what could go wrong with an AI responsible for keeping people alive and well, its all really well executed. Frictional also simply nails the game's atmosphere, it oozes dread, theres stuff that disturbed me to bone, in a good way, the sadness and sorry feeling i felt when i saw workers of Pathos II who have fallen victim to WAU or other threats. Segments where you must travel across sea bed were just excellent in my opinion, especially the one taking place 4 KM deep, that felt like youre on a whole other planet, so dark, scary, atmospheric and unknown. Graphics might not be cutting edge, but the devs use what they've got to the maximum potential to create a believable under sea, under water base setting. And i must mention the audio design, bravo in that department.

    What held it back for me ? I guess its the pesky puzzle solving, lot of times you just have go with trial and error till you get them done, the monsters while leaving an imposing feeling from great audio and visual design they dont feel as much of a threat than a nuisance due to bloody average stealth gameplay. Also game is just using the chromatic abberation visual effect to quite extreme margins, and sadly developers dont give the option to turn it off, few times my head actually got dizzy from that crap. I wasted quite some time during my play simply searching for my next objective, the game doesnt have any hand holding like icons, mini map or way points on screen which i normally welcome cuz it ruins game immersion and AAA games are just filled with that garbage, i simply wish they made a minimaly intrusive HUD, a map in menu screen or something to make the player more aware of the envoronments and where to go/search for something. And lastly, it might just be me, but i really wanted the game's epilogue to last just a bit longer than it did, it kinda left me little bit unsatisfied after the emotional ending.
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Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 68 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 68
  2. Negative: 1 out of 68
  1. Feb 13, 2016
    100
    As with any thoughtful storytelling, Soma works on multiple levels.
  2. Jan 19, 2016
    100
    SOMA is not the horror game I expected out of Frictional, but I don’t care and it doesn’t matter. This is an excellent work of science fiction, not necessarily unique but uniquely told through its skillful use of video game conceits. It’s System Shock 2 for a modern sensibility, BioShock freed of its AAA chains. It’s damn good and, for my money, the most cohesive and ambitious game Frictional’s made so far.
  3. CD-Action
    Dec 16, 2015
    85
    I parted with Soma with the same feeling that came over me while I was watching “Matrix”, “Interstellar” or “Inception”. Once again someone came up with something no one thought of before and took me for an amazing ride into the unknown. [12/2015, p.40]