SOMA

The overall feel of the game is pretty fantastic. You get sucked in quickly with everything going on around you and most of the items in the map able to be picked up. There are no weapons so you'll be sneaking around to avoid the few monsters that exist throughout these maps, but as long as you follow the simple rules that come along with the these things you should be fine. The only real downside is that the game tends to freeze when it's saving which can be a bit jarring, but still comforting due to the lack of a true save and continue mechanic in the menu. The other draw back (not something worth penalizing the game for) is that the main character, Simon Jarrett, becomes a bit unlikable right there at the end. That's all part of the story, though, so maybe it was done on purpose.

There isn't many games giving such deep experience like this. This is definately the game not based on jump scares. It has moments when it keeps you stressed and moments when you can take a breath and wonder. as much as you can feel good and safe in grim environment underwater. What I loved about it too is the storyline. For quiite long time I've been guessing what is going on with the main character. Like it almost never happen for me it was pleasure to read notes and listen to recordings left in Pathos II. And making you start to ask yourself some questions what is life and what it's worth. After finishing this game and having ending hard to say good or bad, I've been left in a bit melancholic state, Not many games did let me go so deep into their world and play with me emotionally. Graphically game isn't mastery, but it's detail is on level high enough to enjoy it. Especially when you take on thought that it's made by small studio. Only thing that was eventually wrong technically were FPS drops. They were significant, but it wasn't happening often and this way it didn't affect my good experience with the game. I guess it was caused by some game elements loading in background. Textures, models etc. Also loading game at start is long but such thing isn't big pain because it happens only once :)

I love the horror game genre, and this game ranks at the top. It's incredibly beautiful and immersive. The story is top-notch and has a strong sci-fi presence. I've found it to be more enjoyable than Bioshock or Last of Us and on-par with System Shock 2 simply because the story is that strong. It's a long exploration game; after hours, it just feels like you're there.

I don't recall ever playing a game that had me sit back and ponder what it was saying long after I was finished. Especially, with a topic and story idea of what it means to be Human and Sentient. A fantastically thrilling game that not only scared me quite well at times due to characters, environment, visuals, voice acting, and sound, but also provided an amazing story and premise that tickled my brain and my adoration for Science Fiction. SOMA, is an incredible experience, despite its few faults with the enemies (as others have pointed out), this game is that sleeper hit for me. It's writing is the tour de force and the writers should be very proud of themselves for talking about a subject that not only is possible as technology progresses, but also in a mature manner asks us: if we were copied/cloned that would be us, but it also would not really be US. It would be a copy with it's own thoughts and experiences. I could easily fathom this story manifested into a big thick Sci-Fi book. SOMA, is very much a great game and one that any Sci-Fi fan would enjoy. Well done to the developers, writers, and the rest of team for this amazing game.

SOMA is amazing. It is a perfect blend of mystery, dread, and terror. The mystery comes from a fascinating philosophical narrative that unspoils itself at a patient pace, with tons of hidden details made possible by richly-drawn characters supported by great voice acting. The dread is a product of both the intensely detailed levels and lighting, combined with some of the best sound effects and music I've ever encountered in a game. They absolutely suck you into the experience and never let up until they soak your bones and chill your blood. The terror comes from the monsters. Some have criticized this aspect of the game, leading the developers to produce a safe mode. While I'm all for player freedom, the monsters are an essential part of the experience. They make the dread pay off with real threats, that will either brutally maime you or outright kill you. The monsters work brilliantly through two dimensions. The first is that each monster is quite different in how it interacts with the environment and you, so that strategies which worked on a previous monster are doomed on the next. It forces the player to constantly adapt. The second is that monster encounters are magnified with fantastic visual effects, player heartbeat and breathing, and dramatic music. They work perfectly together to make the encounters visceral to the player, so that you feel the monster proximity and the degree of the threat. Freaked me out so many times throughout this game, to the point of holding my breath and sweating profusely. The world they have created is so much fun to explore, and I especially loved the aesthetics of walking on the ocean floor. They design the maps just right to have sufficient linearity to tell the story, but the illusion of openness to help you feel lost and terrorized. I can't recommend this game enough. Great story, terrifying gameplay, gorgeous world, and a very satisfying double ending (stay for the credits!).