Somerville

 Xbox Series X
Somerville Image
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
5.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 77 Ratings

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  • Summary: Jumpship’s debut title immersse players in a hand-crafted narrative set across a vivid and rural landscape. Set in the wake of a catastrophe and grounded in the intimate repercussions of large-scale conflict, players navigate through perilous terrain as they unravel the mysteries of Earth’sJumpship’s debut title immersse players in a hand-crafted narrative set across a vivid and rural landscape. Set in the wake of a catastrophe and grounded in the intimate repercussions of large-scale conflict, players navigate through perilous terrain as they unravel the mysteries of Earth’s visitors.… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 27
  3. Negative: 1 out of 27
  1. TheXboxHub
    Nov 28, 2022
    90
    Somerville is an important addition to our gaming diet. It’s not worried about pushing boundaries in terms of narrative structure or story, and never wants to guide the player too much, letting them find their own journey through a brilliant linear adventure.
  2. Press Start Australia
    Nov 14, 2022
    85
    It feels like cheating to call Somerville a debut indie title when its creator’s individual pedigree is so strong, but it’s a tremendous spiritual successor to both Limbo and Inside. It takes an ordinary setting, quickly removes all normalcy, and takes the player on a fleeting sci-fi thrill ride that makes use of every second of your attention that it has.
  3. Impulsegamer
    Nov 15, 2022
    80
    Somerville is a true “short and sweet” gaming experience that really throws a spanner into traditional storytelling and gaming.
  4. XboxEra
    Nov 14, 2022
    70
    Somerville feels like great ambition being stretched a little thin, and fundamentally, the way it feels to actually play makes me wish it spent a little longer in the oven, refining and polishing the best parts.
  5. ComicBook
    Dec 15, 2022
    60
    Somerville feels like a game that is going through growing pains. As the first title to come from Jumpship, there's a fair amount to like here and quite a bit that can be built off of moving forward. Still, Somerville isn't also without its problems, especially when it comes to creating an enjoyable gameplay experience. As a result, Somerville itself isn't something that I would deem a must-play, but Jumpship as a whole is a studio that I'll continue to keep an eye on as time goes on. 
  6. TheSixthAxis
    Nov 21, 2022
    60
    Somerville is a fantastically evocative game as it depicts an everyman's journey through a War of the Worlds-like alien invasion, leaning on countless sci-fi tropes and ideas along the way. Disappointingly, it's undercut on a number of levels by controls and a detached feeling and hastiness with some parts of the story it's telling.
  7. Cubed3
    Jun 7, 2023
    40
    Somerville's greatest flaw is just how boring it is. It is more of a walking-sim than a platforming-adventure game. Reactive objects are also colour-coded yellow, so there is never any question about what to do. This robs any sense of discovery in a title that is already so tightly focused on pushing players forward. The terribly slow walking speed will pad out Somerville's length to around four to five hours, when there is maybe only two hours of actual substance. Traditionally, these kinds of games are short but make up for it with excellent pacing. Somerville feels like a flatline for most of the entire run.

See all 29 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 31
  3. Negative: 9 out of 31
  1. samkaz
    Dec 1, 2022
    10
    This is easily the best game I have played in years, and I play a lot of games. The art design, pace, music and general feel of this game isThis is easily the best game I have played in years, and I play a lot of games. The art design, pace, music and general feel of this game is nothing short of prolific. It had a profound effect on me. All while there was absolutely no narrative and almost no instruction. The storyline was deep and poignant. I’ve never played anything like this before. It was intuitive and the puzzles were challenging but never too much so. It really made you think. Yeah there are a few framerate issues and sometimes your character gets stuck behind an obstacle. Even though it may be a teeny bit glitchy people are giving it terrible reviews. Honestly I don’t see where all this the hate comes from. This is one for the history books. An instant classic. A game I’ll never forget.… Expand
  2. GenNew
    Dec 1, 2022
    10
    I really enjoyed Somerville. The sci-fi story and graphics grabbed me from the very beginning. Kudos to the developers. Not quite sure whyI really enjoyed Somerville. The sci-fi story and graphics grabbed me from the very beginning. Kudos to the developers. Not quite sure why there have been negative reviews. I played the game from beginning to end with zero issues with mechanics or controls. I enjoyed the multiple endings and how I was rewarded for paying attention early on to certain dynamics that unlocked different ones. I feel it equals Limbo and Inside at the very least and preferred Somerville to both in some ways especially the multiple endings. Don't listen to the reviews and play it yourself. I was expecting the worst and it was so much better than what I read. I feel bad for the developers because they really made something special. Hope to see more from them in the future.… Expand
  4. Sadra_The_Gamer
    Jan 2, 2023
    9
    Somerville excels in every department except the technical, and it will stay in your mind for a long time after finishing it. Also, the gameSomerville excels in every department except the technical, and it will stay in your mind for a long time after finishing it. Also, the game has very good puzzles that are rare in history! Unfortunately, Somerville suffers from technical problems and a very small amount of bugs. If you enjoyed the experience of "Inside" and "Limbo", don’t miss it!… Expand
  5. JasonGeely
    Dec 1, 2022
    7
    Although other evaluations are not satisfactory, it is still a good work of a small workshop in my mind
  6. mikeinashed
    Dec 16, 2022
    6
    I'd heard that this was reminiscent of Inside and Limbo, both of which I loved, but it's not quite there. It's a striking looking game thatI'd heard that this was reminiscent of Inside and Limbo, both of which I loved, but it's not quite there. It's a striking looking game that veers from being interesting to just plain odd. I'm still not sure what how the story resolved itself and, while that's not normally an issue, it just felt like they'd tagged an ending on when they didn't know what to do.
    That said, it's a nice enough puzzler and if you have game pass, it's well worth a go - you may like it more.    … Expand
  7. O3liveon
    Dec 5, 2022
    5
    This game should win or at least be nominated for it's sound design. Perfect and satisfying! I found myself getting frustrated during myThis game should win or at least be nominated for it's sound design. Perfect and satisfying! I found myself getting frustrated during my playthrough though, not because of the puzzles, I thought they were easy and interesting enough and well thought out. But more because of the movement of the character. The way they designed the 2d/3d is gorgeous and well realized and detailed, but it left wanting on the actual mechanics of it all. It's on game pass so I think you need to experience it, but I wouldn't buy this one.… Expand
  8. Broyax
    Dec 4, 2022
    0
    Tiens, encore un étron indé tombé dans le Daube Pass… ramassons-le pour voir… avec des gants parce qu’on voit bien qu’il est déjà toutTiens, encore un étron indé tombé dans le Daube Pass… ramassons-le pour voir… avec des gants parce qu’on voit bien qu’il est déjà tout poisseux de merde. Alors, à jouer ou à tenter d’y jouer plutôt, bonjour les dégâts…!

    C’est tout de même en 3 dimensions mais selon des angles de liberté (et de vue) très restreints, on se retrouve en fait devant de la 2d et demi mais de façon toujours trop éloignée, ce qui rend la maniabilité hasardeuse, pour ne pas dire injouable la plupart du temps.

    Les graphismes restent en tout cas fort limités et l’ennui s’installe bien vite, alors qu’on se demande ce qu’il faut bien faire pour espérer avancer un minimum dans ce petit jeu de merde à la petite semaine. Tout est minimaliste là-dedans, y compris l’interface et le personnage se déplace mollement et maladroitement comme s’il était soûl.

    Encore une daube prétentieuse bricolée par des blaireaux qui pètent plus haut que leur cul et n’ont pourtant aucune idée de ce qu’ils font… mais je vais vous le dire : ils font simplement de la grosse merde, point merde.    … Expand

See all 31 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

92
#92 Best Xbox Series X Game of 2022
32
#32 Most Discussed Xbox Series X Game of 2022

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