SOMA |OT| I Have No Mouth but I Will Scream, on The Dark Descent into A Machine

vladdamad said:
My main criticism lies with some of the voice acting/environmental design. The way the protagonist speaks is sometimes so casual that it seems like he is just out on holidays somewhere, not in a hellscape industrial dungeon at the bottom of the ocean. I get the everyman vibe the devs were trying to go for but it just doesn't fit sometimes and takes away from the atmosphere. The way he articulates his thoughts sometimes also feels forced, the inner monologue sounds like he is reading something off a sheet of paper as opposed to telling us his reaction. The same casual tone I find jarring in some of the other characters.
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Honestly
I found this jarring at first, but then...well, these aren't humans. These are machines, AIs. Why should they feel scared? Why should they be worried? Once you digest that these are AIs speaking to each other and not people. I think the nonchalant attitude makes more sense and actually is kind of creepy and off, in a uneasy way. Like wait...any normal person would be freaking the fuck out. But they're not people...
 
More_Badass said:
Honestly
I found this jarring at first, but then...well, these aren't humans. These are machines, AIs. Why should they feel scared? Why should they be worried? Once you digest that these are AIs speaking to each other and not people. I think the nonchalant attitude makes more sense and actually is kind of creepy and off, in a uneasy way. Like wait...any normal person would be freaking the fuck out. But they're not people...
Click to expand...

The whole premise actually makes me wonder myself about it. Would i be able to justify saving the human race or help them out if i am just an AI? if my brain is smart enough to defend me against my own body.. or would i just end as a crazy robot that lost it? and would i justify killing myself to live as an AI for posterity. Its just plain creepy!

I am reading Ubik.. and they have the same kind of thought process of people dying but having a half life that can be awakened after death, but will deteriorate until its gone. So weird.
 
More_Badass said:
Honestly
I found this jarring at first, but then...well, these aren't humans. These are machines, AIs. Why should they feel scared? Why should they be worried? Once you digest that these are AIs speaking to each other and not people. I think the nonchalant attitude makes more sense and actually is kind of creepy and off, in a uneasy way. Like wait...any normal person would be freaking the fuck out. But they're not people...
Click to expand...

Yep I get that, but then on the other hand isn't the point of the story that
they are exact replicas, and the only thing they are missing is their original body? I haven't finished the game yet so I'm not sure, but so far it seems like the game wants us to explore what would happen if there was an artificial copy of you that was absolutely identical to your personality. In that case, the tone wouldn't really make sense, as the copy should still react the way the original human would. But I will try and view the dialogue through that lens as I play, it could make more sense that way.
 
vladdamad said:
Yep I get that, but then on the other hand isn't the point of the story that
they are exact replicas, and the only thing they are missing is their original body? I haven't finished the game yet so I'm not sure, but so far it seems like the game wants us to explore what would happen if there was an artificial copy of you that was absolutely identical to your personality. In that case, the tone wouldn't really make sense, as the copy should still react the way the original human would. But I will try and view the dialogue through that lens as I play, it could make more sense that way.
Click to expand...

From where i am at... they talk about experience. So maybe they are a previous "save file" of them in time. Which is interesting. I have been listening now to progress to recordings where there is someone talking that sounds just like my character. I wonder how he'll feel when he meets the replica, and how will the replica process the encounter. Specially if i have to kill him. Since i think the only human i have found and robots end up dead by my hand. lol
 
vladdamad said:
Yep I get that, but then on the other hand isn't the point of the story that
they are exact replicas, and the only thing they are missing is their original body? I haven't finished the game yet so I'm not sure, but so far it seems like the game wants us to explore what would happen if there was an artificial copy of you that was absolutely identical to your personality. In that case, the tone wouldn't really make sense, as the copy should still react the way the original human would. But I will try and view the dialogue through that lens as I play, it could make more sense that way.
Click to expand...
I'm actually just past where you are, so I'm not really that far ahead story-wise. But I've been thinking
that the game has been implying that they aren't exact copies. Like "Catherine" said in Lambda, the real Catherine could have succeeded or done things she wasn't aware of. She's kind of just a replica of Catherine at that time. And the way both of you are so nonchalant about things, you have to wonder if that's still the human side or is it more of the machine. Because Simon definitely was more terrified in the beginning, but once he realized he was a robot, he seemed to take things more in stride.

Those other machines still think they're people. Simon and Catherine know that they're AI.
 
Since it might not be completely obvious. If you have a bug that gets you stuck. Quite and do load game not continue. Lots of save files.
 
More_Badass said:
I'm actually just past where you are, so I'm not really that far ahead story-wise. But I've been thinking
that the game has been implying that they aren't exact copies. Like "Catherine" said in Lambda, the real Catherine could have succeeded or done things she wasn't aware of. She's kind of just a replica of Catherine at that time. And the way both of you are so nonchalant about things, you have to wonder if that's still the human side or is it more of the machine. Because Simon definitely was more terrified in the beginning, but once he realized he was a robot, he seemed to take things more in stride.

Those other machines still think they're people. Simon and Catherine know that they're AI.
Click to expand...

Plus,
who's to say just because they are replicas, do they truly have emotions? I mean Simon can obviously compute and express frustration and concern but is it really feeling emotion, or caring, or just thinking he is?
 
More_Badass said:
I'm actually just past where you are, so I'm not really that far ahead story-wise. But I've been thinking
that the game has been implying that they aren't exact copies. Like "Catherine" said in Lambda, the real Catherine could have succeeded or done things she wasn't aware of. She's kind of just a replica of Catherine at that time. And the way both of you are so nonchalant about things, you have to wonder if that's still the human side or is it more of the machine. Because Simon definitely was more terrified in the beginning, but once he realized he was a robot, he seemed to take things more in stride.

Those other machines still think they're people. Simon and Catherine know that they're AI.
Click to expand...

Without going into details, in part because the game doesn't really go into details, but there are hints that lead me to think that you're right
 
SlasherJPC said:
Since it might not be completely obvious. If you have a bug that gets you stuck. Quite and do load game not continue. Lots of save files.
Click to expand...

Yeah, just noticed it took ~127MB of space in total. I wish the PS4's 3.0 patch, with its backup save space increase, would be out already.
 
More_Badass said:
Honestly I found this jarring at first, but then...
well, these aren't humans. These are machines, AIs. Why should they feel scared? Why should they be worried? Once you digest that these are AIs speaking to each other and not people. I think the nonchalant attitude makes more sense and actually is kind of creepy and off, in a uneasy way. Like wait...any normal person would be freaking the fuck out. But they're not people...
Click to expand...

I actually felt like that too.
It was jarring at first until I started thinking that. The scans are imperfect - they are people from certain times in their life and are not going to realistically reflect how they COULD act in every situation.
Well al least that's how I interpreted it after some digestion.

I mentioned it before, but the voices kind of remind me of James from Silent Hill 2. He's so nonchalant, which seems completely wrong
until you realize that he's basically a complete and total maniac.
 
I've crashed like 4 times on the PS4 version. I don't get it. Performance goes to shit and crash. I played for three hours last night without issue.:/
 
DarkChronic said:
Er, does anyone know how to heal?

I walked through some hot steam and now my vision is all blurry and I'm walking with a limp.
Click to expand...

Ive only watched streams but I think You heal by interacting/sticking your hand in the starfish/arsehole looking things that are stuck to walls.

Edit:beat
 
watching people play this on twitch is really entertaining
I'm too much of a chicken to play this type of horror games :p
 
I'm currently at Delta outside Theta, and I think I'm stuck.
I am turning the antenna to the 3 coloured zones and getting the right numbers but nothing happens after that. I read the ign wiki because I've been standing here for a while and it says its supposed to make the zeppelin useable. Help?
 
is the game 30 or 60fps on ps4? if it is 30 then might get it for PC but i dont know if my PC strong enough. I have gtx 760 can it run 1080p 60fps with high settings?
 
Cudder said:
I'm currently at Delta outside Theta, and I think I'm stuck.
I am turning the antenna to the 3 coloured zones and getting the right numbers but nothing happens after that. I read the ign wiki because I've been standing here for a while and it says its supposed to make the zeppelin useable. Help?
Click to expand...
There's another console sort of between the antenna controls and the HQ. Go there, and you use that to 'call' on the zeppelins using the frequency you've set the antenna.
 
Cudder said:
I'm currently at Delta outside Theta, and I think I'm stuck.
I am turning the antenna to the 3 coloured zones and getting the right numbers but nothing happens after that. I read the ign wiki because I've been standing here for a while and it says its supposed to make the zeppelin useable. Help?
Click to expand...

Well you gotta
select the 049 channel 5 one. Then go back to landing platform. there is a console next to the entrance to the platform. From the console select request transport and the zeppelin will arrive.
 
I...damn. So far I am loving the atmosphere of this game but I am constantly getting stuck. There is just absolutely no direction the game gives you on how to proceed.

I can't figure out the first puzzle area, where you are stuck in a room with the first monster/first encounter. Only about 2 hours in:

How am I supposed to get up into the Comms station? I rerouted the power (which caused the monster to come up the stairs) and I turned off the lever down by the Carl-bot. I still can't move the lever to get up the Comms station. What else am I missing?
 
DarkChronic said:
I...damn. So far I am loving the atmosphere of this game but I am constantly getting stuck. There is just absolutely no direction the game gives you on how to proceed.

I can't figure out the first puzzle area, where you are stuck in a room with the first monster/first encounter. Only about 2 hours in:

How am I supposed to get up into the Comms station? I rerouted the power (which caused the monster to come up the stairs) and I turned off the lever down by the Carl-bot. I still can't move the lever to get up the Comms station. What else am I missing?
Click to expand...
If I recall, you need to go back to the computer and activate the power to the Comms station
 
i kinda wish the game was a little bit more linear. I have been walking around
in the water trying to find a way back to Theta
for like 30 minutes. I feel like im walking around in circles
 
Okay, I'm at the beginning and am already stuck. Can someone help me out:

I got the Omni Tool but I can't do anything with it once it's in the console. The Unlock Tool Box option is locked out

Never mind, got it lol
 
Played a bit.

The beginning was pretty bad, can't say I was impressed. My interested piqued a bit once the "crazy" stuff started to happen and, surprise, you can actually die this time (unlike Amnesia). But I'm still unconvinced.

It's certainly not scary, maybe a bit ominous/visceral at times, but meh.

Story seems reminiscent of Black Plague, down to the apparent "visual" tricks on the protagonist.
 
NotTheGuyYouKill said:
Okay, I'm at the beginning and am already stuck. Can someone help me out:

I got the Omni Tool but I can't do anything with it once it's in the console. The Unlock Tool Box option is locked out

Never mind, got it lol
Click to expand...

A panel should have opened up on the left side of the console.

Too late..
 
uahg this game would be soo much better without any pesky monsters making me waste my time hiding in the shadows until they pass
 
I give up. Any save that I load crashes the PS4 within a minute. I've redownloaded the whole game twice. I played Until Dawn for almost an hour with no issues just to test and see if it's something with the PS4 itself. It's not.

I'm at
the entrance to Lamda looking for Catherine.
I suppose I'll try starting over from scratch and seeing if my saves are simply corrupt but Im not happy at the moment. :(
 
I hate to say it, but I'm kind of done with this game. Wandering around is getting annoying and the enemy encounters so far just plain suck.
 
Would you say Alien Isolation is faring better than SOMA in your experience? Since the former was inspired by Frictional Games' work, it'd be interesting if it ends up being better as a horror game.
 
Messofanego said:
Would you say Alien Isolation is faring better than SOMA in your experience? Since the former was inspired by Frictional Games' work, it'd be interesting if it ends up being better as a horror game.
Click to expand...
See, the thing is Alien was inspired by Amnesia, while Frictional wanted SOMA to be different from Amnesia. While they share some of the same concepts (enemies you don't want to look at, stealth aspects, a lot of environmental interactivity), SOMA is not like Amnesia.
 
I loved Alien Isolation(although I felt it was a bit too long)...but I am not feeling this game at all. It is annoying having 0 objective markers, most of the time not even knowing what I am doing. I just did a puzzle that I probably would have given up on if I had not looked at a guide because the game gives absolutely no instruction or direction. Being able to pick up almost everything just confuses the shit out of me with stuff that actually matters and then useless junk.

The story is interesting I guess, and I want to finish the game to see how it unfolds. But this is a chore now
 
matrixman92 said:
I loved Alien Isolation(although I felt it was a bit too long)...but I am not feeling this game at all. It is annoying having 0 objective markers, most of the time not even knowing what I am doing. I just did a puzzle that I probably would have given up on if I had not looked at a guide because the game gives absolutely no instruction or direction. Being able to pick up almost everything just confuses the shit out of me with stuff that actually matters and then useless junk.

The story is interesting I guess, and I want to finish the game to see how it unfolds. But this is a chore now
Click to expand...
Why do you need objective markers? The game guides you through visual cues within the game. Which doors are locked or not locked. Direction signs and maps in the buildings. Outside, lights, cables, shapes in the distance.

The last game I played that did this so well was NaissanceE. In SOMA, there's a sense of being lost (which there should be, you're in an unfamiliar place) but the game subtly guides you along

The lack of objective markers and guidance is a plus IMO.

What puzzle gave you trouble?
 
matrixman92 said:
I loved Alien Isolation(although I felt it was a bit too long)...but I am not feeling this game at all. It is annoying having 0 objective markers, most of the time not even knowing what I am doing. I just did a puzzle that I probably would have given up on if I had not looked at a guide because the game gives absolutely no instruction or direction. Being able to pick up almost everything just confuses the shit out of me with stuff that actually matters and then useless junk.

The story is interesting I guess, and I want to finish the game to see how it unfolds. But this is a chore now
Click to expand...

And here I was thinking that the puzzles were too easy. In either case you're doing it wrong when you try to pick up every spec of random shit; none of the random shit you can pick up is generally useful for puzzles, it's the stuff you can inspect that's useful.
 
More_Badass said:
Why do you need objective markers? The game guides you through visual cues within the game. Which doors are locked or not locked. Direction signs and maps in the buildings. Outside, lights, cables, shapes in the distance.

The last game I played that did this so well was NaissanceE. In SOMA, there's a sense of being lost (which there should be, you're in an unfamiliar place) but the game subtly guides you along

The lack of objective markers and guidance is a plus IMO.

What puzzle gave you trouble?
Click to expand...

I walked around trying to figure out
how to get back to Theta
for like 45 minutes before I had to look up a guide and see that I had to go to a
control panel to call the ride
that was not marked at all from what I could see.

The puzzle, if it even was one, was
the part where you have to get the different environments and what not to get the guys stress level down
. I honestly didnt even know thats what I was supposed to be doing. Like, I was walking around in the area not even doing that puzzle because I didnt know. Then when I found it, I had no idea what I was doing again.
 
Steel said:
And here I was thinking that the puzzles were too easy. In either case you're doing it wrong when you try to pick up every spec of random shit; none of the random shit you can pick up is generally useful for puzzles, it's the stuff you can inspect that's useful.
Click to expand...

but even then, some of the stuff you can inspect is useless crap as well. Books, pics, etc.. Adds atmosphere and backstory maybe, but useless in guiding to an objective
 
matrixman92 said:
The puzzle, if it even was one, was
the part where you have to get the different environments and what not to get the guys stress level down
. I honestly didnt even know thats what I was supposed to be doing. Like, I was walking around in the area not even doing that puzzle because I didnt know. Then when I found it, I had no idea what I was doing again.
Click to expand...
Not to be rude, but I'd say that's more on you rather than the game. I got hung up there for a bit,
but mainly because I couldn't figure out the right environment. Catherine is repeatedly telling you what you need to do in that part (need a cipher, need to talk to one of the scans for the cipher, need to try the different environments, these aren't working so you need more data and learn more about the guy, learned about the wife so let's use her in the simulation, etc.)

I mean, the game nudges you along that puzzle

matrixman92 said:
but even then, some of the stuff you can inspect is useless crap as well. Books, pics, etc.. Adds atmosphere and backstory maybe, but useless in guiding to an objective
Click to expand...
Books (and I think pics too) have a completely different icon from essential stuff you can interact with (page icon vs hand grabbing icon).
 
matrixman92 said:
I loved Alien Isolation(although I felt it was a bit too long)...but I am not feeling this game at all. It is annoying having 0 objective markers, most of the time not even knowing what I am doing. I just did a puzzle that I probably would have given up on if I had not looked at a guide because the game gives absolutely no instruction or direction. Being able to pick up almost everything just confuses the shit out of me with stuff that actually matters and then useless junk.

The story is interesting I guess, and I want to finish the game to see how it unfolds. But this is a chore now
Click to expand...

Yeah, nah. The game doesn't need objective markers. Explore thoroughly and nothing should be difficult to figure out. More games need to drop the hand-holding.

On topic, I think I'm pretty close to finishing the game. Overall it's been decent. I can't say I've been scared at all, but the atmosphere is good and the story is interesting. In the end I don't think it'll be as memorable as Amnesia, and it's certainly no Alien Isolation.
 
The voice acting in this game is so weak that it's distracting at times... The game is otherwise great, but there's a disconnect because the game does such a good job at creating atmosphere with sound effects and music and visuals, etc...It feels like the actors were reading their lines without knowing at all what was taking place on screen.
 
bestpersonevar said:
The voice acting in this game is so weak that it's distracting at times... The game is otherwise great, but there's a disconnect because the game does such a good job at creating atmosphere with sound effects and music and visuals, etc...It feels like the actors were reading their lines without knowing at all what was taking place on screen.
Click to expand...
You're talking about the nonchalant tone? Or just the voice acting in general?
 
FatalT said:
Funyarinpa have you gotten past that part or had it fixed? I'm now stuck there as well. STUPID DOOR WON'T OPEN WHAT THE HEELLLLLL!
Click to expand...

If you mean you're stuck in the vessel itself, you need to first take the Omnitool from the console and then try to open the door, which will trigger a scripted sequence.
 
somedevil said:
Well you gotta
select the 049 channel 5 one. Then go back to landing platform. there is a console next to the entrance to the platform. From the console select request transport and the zeppelin will arrive.
Click to expand...

Dan said:
There's another console sort of between the antenna controls and the HQ. Go there, and you use that to 'call' on the zeppelins using the frequency you've set the antenna.
Click to expand...

Thanks, totally missed the console to call the transport.
 
JudgmentJay said:
Yeah, nah. The game doesn't need objective markers. Explore thoroughly and nothing should be difficult to figure out. More games need to drop the hand-holding.
Click to expand...

this is the worst I have seen of it so far, with the game not directing you . Turns out the first video I look up, the guy thats playing has no idea either. Do you really expect majority of players to get this? (if timestamp on video doesnt work, its the whole last portion of it)

https://youtu.be/cliu_RBHjhM?t=1773

I had to get the answer from some guy in this videos comments section
 
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