Somerville

 PC
User Score
4.9

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 65 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 65
  3. Negative: 27 out of 65

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  1. DiasExMachina
    Nov 18, 2022
    0
    I had such high hopes for this title. It shares a pedigree with Limbo and Inside, two games known for their alluring visual style, puzzles, and atmosphere.

    While I appreciate vague storytelling, I do require a modicum of visual narrative. Somerville doesn't feel like a cousin of Inside or Limbo but rather reminiscent of those painfully derivative knock-offs that don't offer enough    I had such high hopes for this title. It shares a pedigree with Limbo and Inside, two games known for their alluring visual style, puzzles, and atmosphere.

    While I appreciate vague storytelling, I do require a modicum of visual narrative. Somerville doesn't feel like a cousin of Inside or Limbo but rather reminiscent of those painfully derivative knock-offs that don't offer enough puzzles or narrative to be recommended. Not a single puzzle had my head scratching for more than 10 seconds, and there weren't enough of them as often I would walk for ten minutes before encountering one. Given my experience in these types of games, I am usually patient. I take my time and try to enjoy the scenery.

    Given that, I was still able to wrap Somerville in less than 3 hours.

    That's insane for a game charging this much. I know it says 3.1 on my record, but that takes account of me sitting through credits, baffled by the game's logic to end when it decided to. Just when you acquire your third ability, the game barely makes use of it before an ending that makes Inside feel straightforward.

    And let's not ignore the game's polish in that it isn't. You get hung up on terrain, characters vanish and reappear, and navigation can be a real pain as you try to understand where you are supposed to walk to. That ended up being more of a chore than the puzzles. The puzzles were easy. I bet I spent twenty minutes of the game wandering around a room trying to figure out where I can walk to.

    It's such a damn shame as I was really looking forward to this title. Also, most of the trailers ruin the game's most interesting moments, so if you think there is some great revelation or moments the game is holding back, sorry to disappoint, but that won't happen.    … Expand
  2. Dubeau
    Jan 2, 2023
    5
    Somerville has a great start but things gets more touchy after that. The story is silent and greatly atmospheric, which is nice. The graphics are fine and different. The gameplay is largely a walking simulator with some puzzles and actions to do. That said, many of the mechanics are not too great. Walking is kind of loose and you get not sens of perspective sometimes. Some things are verySomerville has a great start but things gets more touchy after that. The story is silent and greatly atmospheric, which is nice. The graphics are fine and different. The gameplay is largely a walking simulator with some puzzles and actions to do. That said, many of the mechanics are not too great. Walking is kind of loose and you get not sens of perspective sometimes. Some things are very tedious like the bucket of water puzzle (that made me quit the game). The sounds and music are really great. I give it 52%. I think the game fails in the mechanical/control parts while it has a good story and atmosphere. Sad they couldn't get around making this game more playable.… Expand
  3. Xax
    Nov 16, 2022
    3
    Starts out quite intriguing and exciting, but there's very little story to grab onto. The gameplay often feels janky and frustrating, with an often inconsistent, amateurish design language (or lack thereof). The final act is a meandering, nonsensical, incoherent mess that goes on long after you're ready for it to just end already. (Side note: the PC Game Pass version of the game is broken.Starts out quite intriguing and exciting, but there's very little story to grab onto. The gameplay often feels janky and frustrating, with an often inconsistent, amateurish design language (or lack thereof). The final act is a meandering, nonsensical, incoherent mess that goes on long after you're ready for it to just end already. (Side note: the PC Game Pass version of the game is broken. I had to find an alternate source to download a version of the game that worked using keyboard and mouse.)… Expand
  4. nicerdicer
    Nov 20, 2022
    10
    I have so many questions after first playthrough. Magic sound design and music in the game. Interesting world, challenging puzzles.
  5. Game_playahhhhh
    Nov 17, 2022
    10
    Just a stunningly beautiful game with breath-taking animation. A new favourite. Loved it.
  6. j4ck_fl4sh_3k
    Nov 17, 2022
    3
    Yet another modern day "Story Driven" game... I'm not up for this anymore, videogames shouldn't be used for wannabe screenwriters to cut their teeth, sure have a story but I'm getting sick of pressing start the first time I play a game only to instantly put the control on my lap.
  7. Snake1991
    Nov 22, 2022
    0
    One of the worst 3d, 2dgame that I have ever played, so boring and game play is awful stipid character barely move as if he is drunk, environment is not even art just dark corors and repeat **** red and blue stuff, about puzzles there is no puzlles at all just move its slender drunr **** character to unknown location and they last story is for God sake the worst of worst, DO NOT EVEN PLAYOne of the worst 3d, 2dgame that I have ever played, so boring and game play is awful stipid character barely move as if he is drunk, environment is not even art just dark corors and repeat **** red and blue stuff, about puzzles there is no puzlles at all just move its slender drunr **** character to unknown location and they last story is for God sake the worst of worst, DO NOT EVEN PLAY IT For FREE IT MAKEs YOU MAD AND STupid due TO MOVEMENT OF THE CHARACTEE. it make me so angry God damn you developers… Expand
  8. lessacebola
    Nov 16, 2022
    4
    O jogo tem cenários bonitos, mas o resto dessa bastante a desejar. A história é confusa e sem sentido, e os personagens são bem apáticos. O jogo carece de mecânicas novas e é bastante enjoativo em vários momentos.
  9. petriAND
    Feb 4, 2023
    6
    Visuals - 8/10
    Sound design - 8.5/10
    Gameplay - 5/10
    Story - 5/10
    Fun - 6/10
    --------------------------------
    6.5

    The game was ok, with great visuals and sound design but the gameplay was really weak, definitely not as good as Inside but still a decent experience.
  10. kidneytheft
    Nov 17, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Gorgeous art direction, with a compelling story about family and loss. Some great puzzles that eventually culminate into a satisfying third act. I personally loved the multiple endings, and don't get why there's so much hate for it. If you were paying attention to the story, you'll know it makes complete sense. Overall, a stunning game that I suspect will hold up over time.… Expand
  11. geriess1980
    Nov 19, 2022
    2
    its not like limbo or inside bad moving many bugs bad puzzles not happy to play it
  12. mikettt
    Nov 23, 2022
    0
    The story was getting interesting but it is let down by the flawed controls and bad performance.
  13. MikefromAngus
    Aug 20, 2023
    5
    The beginning of the game was amazing! After 45 mins playing it. It started to get boring and the game just didn't go anywhere. Strong beginning, middle was boring and the ending was bad.
  14. Jaxus
    Jul 9, 2023
    9
    Great experience. It is like Dear Esther or Firewatch. Just indulge in the atmosphere and let it carry you through the story.

    PS Don't forget to check other endings, once you finish the game.
  15. arkcoss
    Nov 27, 2022
    10
    Work of art! I don't understand the comparison to Limbo or Inside ... the formula is similar, because this is the genre of the game, but the story and atmosphere - amazing. More more more...
  16. Xenshin1231
    Jan 30, 2023
    5
    Somerville is weird. Much like Limbo and Inside, I don't like those games and Somerville is exactly the same as those games. Somerville is a third person puzzle adventure game where you're trying to find your family after aliens attack and you get alien powers that can be used for solving puzzles. No puzzle you solve in Somerville is ever that engaging and the game falls flat on theSomerville is weird. Much like Limbo and Inside, I don't like those games and Somerville is exactly the same as those games. Somerville is a third person puzzle adventure game where you're trying to find your family after aliens attack and you get alien powers that can be used for solving puzzles. No puzzle you solve in Somerville is ever that engaging and the game falls flat on the gameplay side. The story as always in these games is weird and is intentionally vague as to what is really happening at the end of the game. There are multiple endings, some which required some secrets to uncover, and this is the most engaging part of the game. But 90% of the game is just walking through solving puzzles until you get to the end. Overall the game is just meh but it was quick enough that it didn't feel I wasn't going to finish it.… Expand
  17. g_squidman
    Nov 19, 2022
    5
    This game looks great and runs well. I really enjoy the artistry put into this one.

    I think the gameplay is pretty weak though and the story seemed a bit out there. The game is mostly walking and when you get to a puzzle it's either too easy or too confusing. The dog seems like it's used to hint at the direction you're supposed to go half the time and the other half is just a    This game looks great and runs well. I really enjoy the artistry put into this one.

    I think the gameplay is pretty weak though and the story seemed a bit out there. The game is mostly walking and when you get to a puzzle it's either too easy or too confusing. The dog seems like it's used to hint at the direction you're supposed to go half the time and the other half is just a distraction who is running the wrong way.

    I get this is supposed to be an esoteric experience like Inside, but I don't think it improves on the concept very much and puzzles are less interesting. I'm not sure how much of the same development team worked on this game, but this seems like a really good idea that wasn't fully fleshed out into a full experience. A clearer story and better puzzles that fully explore the interesting blue/red light mechanic would have been a really cool game.

    Plays great though, if you're looking for something relaxing to distract you for a day or two.    … Expand
  18. SplitMind
    Nov 17, 2022
    4
    Limbo and Inside were good. This just feels like the same basic formula with worse performance.
  19. TrueMachine
    Nov 29, 2022
    2
    Претенциозное говно, унылый геймплей, убогая оптимизация...позорище после inside
  20. Lordmk11
    Aug 27, 2023
    10
    Ending ( at least one of them , the one I experienced) was amazing and I'm sure it will remain in my mind as one of the best endings I've ever got to see
  21. FMagno
    Nov 28, 2022
    7
    Few games really capture that feeling from Inside and Limbo, this is one of those.
    Nice storytelling and subtle narrative, have some strange bugs for PC on Game Pass, such as it only working with joystick (even if you change in the settings to use keyboard) and I had one bug that would not let me interact with an item mandatory to proceed (had to restart the game to be able to do it)
  22. Slevas
    Nov 18, 2022
    6
    Un bel gioco che parte benissimo, buona narrazione poi purtroppo diventa ripetibile e cala drasticamente.
  23. Roddmend
    Nov 21, 2022
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I understand people giving negative ratings. the game is not well optimized,. controls are fumbling, the main character ignores the dog (hate that). But I give it a 8 for the boldness of the author. Tired of the same old games...I like different games, well directed. I just don't give it a 10 because the moment we meet the dog again the character just ignores him... that was the part I hated the most.… Expand
  24. gozlukluiskelet
    Nov 23, 2022
    8
    İtiraf etmeliyim ki, oyunun son kısmında biraz sıkılmaya başlamıştım. Belki de son bölümü gereksiz yere uzatmışlar, bilemiyorum! Somerville bir bütün olarak baktığımızda güzel bir oyun. Etkileyici girişi, ilginç hikayesi ve tartışmaya açık sonuyla son zamanlarda oynamaktan keyif aldığım bir oyun oldu. Oyunun atmosferi, grafikler, renkler, müzikler ve zaman zaman sıkıntı çıkarsa da oynanışıİtiraf etmeliyim ki, oyunun son kısmında biraz sıkılmaya başlamıştım. Belki de son bölümü gereksiz yere uzatmışlar, bilemiyorum! Somerville bir bütün olarak baktığımızda güzel bir oyun. Etkileyici girişi, ilginç hikayesi ve tartışmaya açık sonuyla son zamanlarda oynamaktan keyif aldığım bir oyun oldu. Oyunun atmosferi, grafikler, renkler, müzikler ve zaman zaman sıkıntı çıkarsa da oynanışı güzeldi.… Expand
  25. sayanesn294
    Jun 8, 2023
    6
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Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Most Discussed PC Game of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 40 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 40
  3. Negative: 2 out of 40
  1. Adventure Game Hotspot
    May 31, 2023
    70
    An artfully made take on the familiar story of an alien invasion, Somerville’s visual design and interesting scenarios form an engaging experience, though some confusing puzzle design and a plot that holds the player at arm’s length keep it from truly being out of this world.
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  2. PLAY! Zine
    Jan 6, 2023
    65
    Somerville begins with a promise and ends… It ends wherever you end it, for not all players will endure its 6-8 hours-long run. It is a far cry from the previous „Playdead“ experiences, yet it still holds enough charm to be recommended to fans of this unique genre.
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  3. Edge Magazine
    Dec 1, 2022
    70
    Outbursts of light and colour and shape, simple enough that they have the potential to become iconic. [Issue#379, p.104]
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