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. 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
  3. 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.
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. geriess1980
    Nov 19, 2022
    2
    its not like limbo or inside bad moving many bugs bad puzzles not happy to play it
  7. mikettt
    Nov 23, 2022
    0
    The story was getting interesting but it is let down by the flawed controls and bad performance.
  8. SplitMind
    Nov 17, 2022
    4
    Limbo and Inside were good. This just feels like the same basic formula with worse performance.
  9. TrueMachine
    Nov 29, 2022
    2
    Претенциозное говно, унылый геймплей, убогая оптимизация...позорище после inside

Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Most Discussed PC Game of 2022

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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.
    Read full review
  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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