Somerville

 Xbox Series X
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic 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. TheGamer
    Nov 14, 2022
    90
    Somerville is one of the year’s biggest surprises, and I’m still shocked to see it fly under the radar. Its portrayal of an alien invasion raging across the British countryside hit close to home, while the story of a father searching for his family and being tied up in a dilemma so much bigger than he ever imagined is both nothing like I expected and everything I wanted. I can’t wait to see players far smarter than I piece its most devious puzzles together, since there are still so many questions waiting to be answered.
  3. WellPlayed
    Nov 16, 2022
    85
    Somerville is a fantastic debut for Jumpship that should be commended, but a little extra polish in some key areas would have made an already great game even better.
  5. 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.
  6. Player 2
    Nov 14, 2022
    83
    Somerville is a tight experience that tells its tale, doesn’t leave you hanging too long, and gives you plenty to ruminate on. Some rough edges hold it back from hitting the heights of those that inspired it.
  7. Generación Xbox
    Dec 1, 2022
    80
    With his particular vision of The War of the Worlds, Somerville proposes a precious cinematic adventure focused on narration.
  8. Impulsegamer
    Nov 15, 2022
    80
    Somerville is a true “short and sweet” gaming experience that really throws a spanner into traditional storytelling and gaming.
  9. Stevivor
    Nov 14, 2022
    80
    Somerville does for Inside for what Inside did for Limbo. While the means of gameplay has evolved into a 3D realm, it's more an emphasis on an actual narrative that sets it apart.
  10. MondoXbox
    Nov 14, 2022
    79
    Somerville takes us on an intimate and dramatic journey through a world now close to unraveling, enriched by puzzles that shape a satisfying gaming offering, but unfortunately some design choices and a less-than-perfect packaging do not allow the game to shine and touch heights of excellence. Still, it remains a fascinating and disturbing journey that you are unlikely to forget, and that is enough to rightfully belong in the experiences every gamer should have.
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In Progress & Unscored

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  1. Eurogamer
    Nov 15, 2022
    An escape from alien invasion, with beautiful art direction.
  2. Xboxygen
    Nov 17, 2022
    With his previous works, Dino Patti got us used to dark and suffocating worlds and Somerville is no exception to this rule. Through his art direction and soundtrack, he completely immerses us in the drama experienced by our character. This narrative experience skilfully alternates between action and reflection phases and does not suffer from any break in the writing rhythm. Although the title deserves the status of a gold nugget, we would have liked the development team to step out of its comfort zone and take more risks to enrich the proposal.

Awards & Rankings

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

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 77 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 77
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 77
  3. Negative: 33 out of 77
  1. Thetype
    Nov 18, 2022
    2
    Boring... New gen game ? That's a mobile style not really interesting
    Gave us true technical games, not mini games running on ipad
  2. Jgitw
    Nov 17, 2022
    2
    This is a Very Bad Game. It desperately needs button prompts for obscure and inconsistent controls, and highlight for interactive objects, andThis is a Very Bad Game. It desperately needs button prompts for obscure and inconsistent controls, and highlight for interactive objects, and some sign of climbable surfaces. It's just not playable as it stands. The gameplay design is truly awful, and it all reads terribly to the player. Performance is bad, too—framey, glitchy. The few promising elements—scenario, cinematography, tracking camera—are just buried beneath the torturous experience of actually playing it.… Full Review »
  3. Jt0429
    Nov 16, 2022
    7
    Good-
    Captivating story; Effective, wordless storytelling; Simplistic and straightforward gameplay is largely engaging; Some gorgeous scenes    Good-
    Captivating story; Effective, wordless storytelling; Simplistic and straightforward gameplay is largely engaging; Some gorgeous scenes and vistas.

    Bad-
    Gameplay can be frustratingly opaque at times; Movement feels wonky and inaccurate; Some technical issues.

    Thoughts-
    Even with its issues though, Somerville is an accomplished sci-fi adventure title. Depending on how quickly you go through its story, it will last you anywhere between three and six hours, and throughout that brief runtime, it keeps throwing some fascinating things your way, whether it’s a smartly designed puzzle, heart-wrenching intimate moments, surprising story developments, or gorgeous visual vistas. Somerville might not be a genre giant, but if you’ve enjoyed similar games in the past, you’re probably going to enjoy this as well.    … Full Review »
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