SOMA

I have played nearly every horror game on GOG. I thought I was immune to fear. However, I have met my match with the soul-numbing dread that is SOMA. -MILD SPOILERS- I hate deep water. As I wandered outside of any human structure, alone on the ocean floor, staring down into the black depths of the abyss, I could not help but crave any - ANY - human interaction. The game offers little in that regard, and my real life state of mind has suffered as a result. The last few days have been tough (literally - this game has made me depressed and even more scared of the ocean), but it has been completely worth it. SOMA has raised deep questions about the existence (and definition) of human consciousness, the future and ethics of robotics, and it has reminded me of the destructive power of complete isolation. The awful loneliness, punctuated with the occasional shambler from the dark, kept me on edge for three straight nights. This game resonated with me on an emotional level I haven't felt in years, and if you have enough antidepressants and anxiolytics on hand to counter its effects, I heartily recommend the experience. SOMA is a deftly written horror that does not depend on the cheap jump scare and as for me, the nightmare under the ocean is not something I will soon forget. You have been warned.

This game is not Amnesia, it is not Penumbra. This game is a whole new experience of it's own. Whilst Amnesia at times felt like a game with a story thrown in to try and fit the horror elements, SOMA has it the other way around; and it works perfectly. The game is involving, genuinely interesting, and it's the story and characters that pull you in, and make what would otherwise be a fairly underwhelming horror game a terrifying experience. Atmosphere is built up in a way I haven't seen in a game since Silent Hill (no, really), and it's so refreshing to play a horror game that doesn't feel the need to use jump scares as a crutch. The level design is realms above this game's predecessors. Amnesia levels felt like generic rooms and hallways strung together with a common tile-set (well, it was). In SOMA everywhere feels different. Rooms are unique and feel well designed, rather than artificial and repetitive. This and the interesting and detailed textures further help draw you into the game. Frictional Games are masters of psychological horror, and this game is a clear reminder as to why.

Is it Doom 3 done right? Oh no, it's Bioshock done right! Oh wait... Maybe it's a little shame that Soma was advertised as a "horror game", because there's some much more in it. Body horror - yes, but it gradually reveals itself as existential horror which, in turn, appears to be not horror at all... After all, Nick Bostrom (whose "Superintelligence" has undoubtedly influenced this piece) finally clarified himself by saying, that failure in creation of "Strong" AI would be more tragic for humanity than unfortunate creation of malevolent one. Scary - yes, but on the other hand, there are so many opportunities. Soma is not just a great game, it's the strongest piece of SciFi I've encountered so far in any media. And it looks like yet another rabid cult following is born... Game of the year.

Plot gets trickier and trickier, "no cheap" scares, awesome "scientific-no-religious-bull*t" approach that makes you wonder to what exactly makes us human. Ending is so powerful, it made me think what I'd do in that situation. And I was legitimately scared even after beating the game.

As far as I'm concerned, this is Frictional's best game. The story is very appealing, to me at least, since it's asking questions I've pondered before. The environments are beautiful, though claustrophobic and you will feel a need to explore them out of interest for the plot. Gameplay wise, it's classic Penumbra style stuff, with less physics puzzles and more scripted ones, less jump scares and monster chases and more self reflection and exploration of concepts that can fill you with dread. No loss there for me. In general, a great story, with a good amount of tension, that should please most fans of the previous games and be a warm welcome to new players to Frictional's style of games. A must play.