SOMA

 PC
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1400 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,165 out of 1400
  2. Mixed: 135 out of 1400
  3. Negative: 100 out of 1400

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  1. Sjalka
    Oct 16, 2015
    6
    I am one of those that was not impressed by amnesia - or for that matter ... pretty much any of those suspense games (outlast, amnesia, monster etc. ) ... they are not quite my "thing" ... and i have not spend so much time with them that my judgement really is objective in that respect.

    So i review the title based on someone that is suspicious of this genre - and mainly looks at the    I am one of those that was not impressed by amnesia - or for that matter ... pretty much any of those suspense games (outlast, amnesia, monster etc. ) ... they are not quite my "thing" ... and i have not spend so much time with them that my judgement really is objective in that respect.

    So i review the title based on someone that is suspicious of this genre - and mainly looks at the technical and design side.

    The game looks good - not impressive ... but functionally good. The environments feel a little sterile - as in "not lived in" - opposed to lifeless due to an absence of NPCs. So damage and dirt feels carefully staged - and not as a consequence of actions.

    Sound design is "ok" - but more or less standard (it may of course be much better than i have experienced it - since i only plugged in a common stereo speaker system, no headphones, no 7.1 or so)

    In terms of optimization - it runs about as good as expected - but i have seen more detailed games run better - as well as more open games. The game is pretty linear with fairly small areas - or at least that is what it feels like - so i would have expected more attention to detail.

    All in all ... I found the experience not immersive enough. The scares were a bit too cheap - with the VHS like screen tearing, the low bass thumping sounds. It is like a horror movie that plays it a little too safe - and becomes a little boring. The only salvation for such a game would have been a superior story and storytelling - where SOMA kind of does not deliver satisfactory.

    The result is average.    … Expand
  2. bigtimegamer1
    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
  3. Skarwind
    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.    … Expand
  4. horrorfanwithth
    Oct 9, 2015
    10
    Developers underestimate the power of stress. Someone could sit down and die from playing this game. It's as serious as a heart attack. People have real problems and people find video games are as effecting as film.
  5. avenom
    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.    … Expand
  6. stjimmy96
    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.    … Expand
  7. RaistClaster
    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.    … Expand
  8. Retortful
    Oct 7, 2015
    10
    This is one of the best games I have ever played. Like the Portal series, Bioshock series, and Half Life series, this game is a true work of art that reflects the creatives behind it. While the graphics aren't quite up to standard with triple A titles such as Alien: Isolation, this game surpasses most in it's art style. From an artistic view, this is one of the most well-crafted games IThis is one of the best games I have ever played. Like the Portal series, Bioshock series, and Half Life series, this game is a true work of art that reflects the creatives behind it. While the graphics aren't quite up to standard with triple A titles such as Alien: Isolation, this game surpasses most in it's art style. From an artistic view, this is one of the most well-crafted games I have ever played. Beyond visuals, Soma has one of the most enthralling stories I've ever played as well.

    I even consider this to have a better story than Bioshock 1 and 2, and I find it on par with Bioshock Infinite, as well as Portal 2. I don't think I've ever been more satisfied with a game's story as I have with Soma. I haven't really said anything about the story, and it's because I think going in to this game with no pre-conception of what the story is will make it all the more entertaining.    … Expand
  9. aquiles1990
    Oct 7, 2015
    10
    Masterpiece of Horror Storytelling . This game insert fear on the script rather than their enemies. Truly one of the most unique Sci-Fi tales i've ever experienced . Buy this game and support Frictional games . This guys are only the few truly Horror developers remaining on the industry
  10. twkonefal
    Oct 5, 2015
    10
    I was jumping in my seat on more than one occasion. I get creeped out just loading it up. No clunky 'pick-up' mechanics or power-ups to grind through, just solve puzzles and work your way through this world to discover yourself and your purpose. Put on a good pair of adult diapers for this one!
  11. Oliwarrior
    Oct 5, 2015
    10
    Frictional Games has done it again. Let's all forget the Chinese Pigs that were like a Nightmare trying to ruin our dreams, and just let our scan take us to the future.

    SOMA is a excellent game with a really a masterpiece from FG. I will go over what i found really good and what i find less good. To start out with the obvious: Graphics and Engine: SOMA is using the their all-new    Frictional Games has done it again. Let's all forget the Chinese Pigs that were like a Nightmare trying to ruin our dreams, and just let our scan take us to the future.

    SOMA is a excellent game with a really a masterpiece from FG. I will go over what i found really good and what i find less good.

    To start out with the obvious: Graphics and Engine:

    SOMA is using the their all-new engine HPL 3 which add all new features (which i havent seen nor tried to figure out, too into the game to do anything with the editor atm). If you guys have ever tried Amnesia(If not, i can recommend it :)you know that a lot of the rooms were really generic and, tbh, not very detailed, with some exceptions. In SOMA you find different rooms, super detailed, great lightning and just sharp textures. While this is not like the new AAA games out there, it is defiently a good addition to the game. Every room is filled with cables, Structure gel stuff, advanced robotics and i could continue. Every room is unique, which is nice.

    Story:
    While I'm really bad at giving summaries and writing a story short and understandable, I'll just make it as good as I can. You are playing as the protagonist Simon, or should I say, the Protagonists(plural)Simon. The game starts with you in a dream, dreaming about the day you was in a car crash, and a friend of yours die, and you end up with brain damage. You then agree to do a Brain scan. Suddenly you are in the future, scared and confused at the events that has just occured to you. You end up finding that the scan you did, was later put into another body, and weird **** happens(as well as scary) Don't wont to spoil to much, so ill stop here. Excellent overall, and I'll come close to this as well.

    New features:

    There is a lot of new features in SOMA: Voice Acting, Choices and all new interactions. The best of all is the voice acting. It is in the top, really, just amazing. Not that we didn't have this in Amnesia, but you remember that it was only briefly when you were looking back in time, memories, that the voice acting was there. Here you are talking, in the present, with other beings. This really adds to the atmosphere, and you even have the choice to keep talking to learn more of the events thats happening. The choices is a close runner-up to the Voice Acting. The decisions are really REALLY hard. I can say one: Before you is a man called Carl, which is plugged to power source neaby. To get to the next area, you can either risk your own life, by turning off some power, which will let the monster in, or turn the switch in Carls room to bypass the monster, but (pretty sure it probably)kill Carl. Obvious is to go to the power room, but to get to the power room, you have to know that there IS a power room. A friend of mine missed the Power room, though that killing Carl was the only way.. Seriously, kill a Dude instead of trying to find another way? Well, you get the point i hope.

    Now to what i find less good:

    In Amnesia the monsters were really scary, but easy to trick. I tried to stay alive by hiding behind a picture.. Really monster? In SOMA some only react if you move or look at them. Even when the atmosphere is so scary, it really kills it that you can flash and look at the monster, without it really doing anything. People will probably miss the fact that this is a thing (Ermm.. ChristopherOdd E.g.) But this is not that much that I don't think it is scary. The game is worth a big pile of structure gel for FG's.

    All in all, this game is just amazing, and if you haven't bought it by now.. Who knows, maybe the other you did? Let's hope so.

    Oli is Out for now,
    Thanks for reading    … Expand
  12. nonchalantgamer
    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.    … Expand
  13. yokerclown
    Oct 4, 2015
    7
    When you do playing "SOMA", you do realize that even with outdated engine, you can still make a good video game with original story! And that is really "SOMA". Yes! It does have it's issues, but if you will look on that from other side, you will realize that even without wannabe Hollywood blockbuster mechanics, like: QTEs, heroic story, action etc... You can still make a good video game!When you do playing "SOMA", you do realize that even with outdated engine, you can still make a good video game with original story! And that is really "SOMA". Yes! It does have it's issues, but if you will look on that from other side, you will realize that even without wannabe Hollywood blockbuster mechanics, like: QTEs, heroic story, action etc... You can still make a good video game! Of course some graphic parts and other issues, are really out of these days and that is why the magic in it, is then really bigger, because the terror + atmosphere + great original settings with sound design, can still make a big part of why this video game, is still one of the best "Sci-Fi" video games ever! So the onl,y most bad things in this game, are just it's enemies, what are sometimes really annoying, but gruesome/scary at the same time! What could also be better, are underwater segments, where you basically cannot do anything, apart of going to your next location. By that, the final verdict is: "7/10".… Expand
  14. Indrigis
    Oct 3, 2015
    5
    While SOMA does try to incorporate a lot of themes from all over, it fails at following any of them consistently. There's a distinct lack of even theoretical explanation for anything either. Certain mechanics and plot devices are just thrown at the player and neither the player nor the NPCs bother to question them. Sure, hand holding would be bad it is still never clear what rules SOMA'sWhile SOMA does try to incorporate a lot of themes from all over, it fails at following any of them consistently. There's a distinct lack of even theoretical explanation for anything either. Certain mechanics and plot devices are just thrown at the player and neither the player nor the NPCs bother to question them. Sure, hand holding would be bad it is still never clear what rules SOMA's world lives by. SOMA raises a lot of questions but does not bother answering them or at least showing any kind of author's viewpoint.

    Another big disappointment comes from the fact that gameplay directly counteracts the story. Attempting to listen to audio logs gets you killed by enemies with 200/20 hearing, for example. At the same time the enemies are hardly interactive and, being also invincible, become more of an immovable object than something you can outsmart. Most of the time the best course of action is to sit until you can no longer hear the enemy and then make a break for the next door hoping it actually allows you to progress, since it's impossible to have a plan.

    The pacing is also heavily damaged by lack of clear objectives or feedback. While it is realistic in the setting of the game, more often than not it feels like the game simply wants the player to guess what he's supposed to achieve at any given moment.

    All in all I find it really hard to compliment SOMA on anything in particular. The graphics and sound are okay, it does not crash to desktop... ...anymore, there are no loading screens. Itsa ok, no more.    … Expand
  15. elitedata
    Oct 3, 2015
    10
    I didn't expect much from this game but it turned out that it's one of the best games I've ever played. Wonderful atmosphere, amazing story. I'm 34 years old guy and I literally had a teardrop in my eye on the ending. It speaks for itself. No other game had such an effect on me.
  16. Soujirop
    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
  17. FofTheReviewer
    Oct 3, 2015
    10
    This is an amazing game from ever aspect; sound, atmosphere, monsters, and story.

    I think this is the best work of frictional yet, and I really eager to see what they are going to make in the future :)
  18. Scharfer
    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.
  19. kakar00t
    Oct 2, 2015
    7
    La trama del juego me recuerda DOOM aunque con mas suspenso, los FX son brutales e interesantes y acompañados de un drama sutil hacen un la mezcla perfecta, creo que falta mas intriga con los monstruos como el "The Proxy" y mas dificultad en los acertijos .
  20. maths
    Oct 1, 2015
    10
    Given that I like psychological story driven games, this was one of the best gaming experiences I ever had. Do not spoil it by reading about the game or watching videos. This game is best enjoyed when you do not know what to expect.
  21. LyonSH
    Oct 1, 2015
    10
    For a long time did not go good games with the plot, just 10/10
    Great graphics, the atmosphere of the game and a soundtrack that makes the brain. I would recommend.
  22. Ambient
    Oct 1, 2015
    10
    More like Penumbra: Black Plague/Overture than Amnesia, this game should be played slowly and carefully. The story told here is much more thought-provoking than anything coming from more mainstream releases, and Frictional Games has made yet another great game. If you loved Penumbra and Sci-Fi horror in general and don't nitpick every little thing that may or may not be wrong with theMore like Penumbra: Black Plague/Overture than Amnesia, this game should be played slowly and carefully. The story told here is much more thought-provoking than anything coming from more mainstream releases, and Frictional Games has made yet another great game. If you loved Penumbra and Sci-Fi horror in general and don't nitpick every little thing that may or may not be wrong with the game, then this is worth the time.

    There are times when I am reminded of what the fabled System Shock 3 might have looked like in terms of design and atmosphere when I play this game.    … Expand
  23. Theninjagecko
    Oct 1, 2015
    10
    Slow starter but the pacing after is amazing, story driven at its best. I think this could be a movie, simple idea and implemented perfectly. Cant wait to go through it again.
  24. Greeensky
    Sep 29, 2015
    10
    The beauty of discovering the bits and pieces of this scifi plot is absolutely genious, it'll give you the goosebumps that's for sure but don't weaver. For the ending is worth it all, in a way if you follow the concept the ending shouldn't have been surprising and yet, the truth is hard to swallow.

    Enjoy.
  25. jakoob26
    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.    … Expand
  26. Izitmee
    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).    … Expand
  27. asfj
    Sep 28, 2015
    10
    So far so good, I have entered into Theta.
    I like the story paving, well layered, integrated/centralized and interesting/weird but easy to understand. At proper times, you get to know bit more that contributes to the main theme. Nowadays, devs like Chinese Room like to use fractionalized story telling which is really confusing and sometimes makes no sense, instead, SOMA's story telling is    So far so good, I have entered into Theta.
    I like the story paving, well layered, integrated/centralized and interesting/weird but easy to understand. At proper times, you get to know bit more that contributes to the main theme. Nowadays, devs like Chinese Room like to use fractionalized story telling which is really confusing and sometimes makes no sense, instead, SOMA's story telling is like a constant reward during progression to let you step by step know more useful about what is actually happening (You get meaning why you play the game over time!).

    No f**king jump scare. SOMA immerses you only with atmosphere and implied visional/sound effect which are not utterly scary, but keep in at a certain stress level which is just enough for me. (Only the shattered screen is extremely horrible, horrible but still it doesn't damage neuron like f**king jump scare as you can prepare to choose not to look at it).

    Hum, I would say it is a walk-simulator, but SOMA is just that good to experience, because its story is really worth it.

    Some problems:
    I've crashed 3times, please fix the issue ASAP.
    I have to quit to main menu after manual save?
    Some of the textures are out-of-date.

    Overall, SOMA is a carefully crafted interactive sci-fic thriller with nice story, paving and just on spot stress to squeeze your adrenaline in a health way while making you think a bit deeper how our world actually works.

    Plus, some of the most interesting things are the Kill/Not Kill choices you made (They are subtle. You will know when you play). Unknow how they have effect on the end. Let us see. I feel the choices are to test your morality, but either way has reasonable excuse to choose. A real dilemma.    … Expand
  28. PrettyOkGuy
    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
  29. 21grams
    Sep 27, 2015
    7
    The idea is great and overall story is interesting, tho implementation has some boring parts. I mean most of the time you walk, it's too much about walking. If only there was something more between the puzzles (which are really decent) you have to solve to progress, because now there are really empty section of the game. But overall it kept me interested what it's all about. so have toThe idea is great and overall story is interesting, tho implementation has some boring parts. I mean most of the time you walk, it's too much about walking. If only there was something more between the puzzles (which are really decent) you have to solve to progress, because now there are really empty section of the game. But overall it kept me interested what it's all about. so have to give credit for that.

    Another thing, I didn't find this game scary at all, I wouldn't call it horror game. It's adventure game in very weird and bizarre setting. If you look for tension and scary atmosphere - you might be disappointed.

    On the side note, game is not well optimized. I had too play around until I got rid off screen tearing, stuttering, with fps drops.. It also crashed like 3times.    … Expand
  30. SuperkenGaming
    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    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Best PC Game of 2015
18
#18 Most Discussed PC Game of 2015
20
#20 Most Shared PC Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 68 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 68
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 68
  3. Negative: 1 out of 68
  1. Quarter to Three
    Feb 13, 2016
    100
    As with any thoughtful storytelling, Soma works on multiple levels.
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  2. PCWorld
    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.
    Read full review
  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]
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