SOMA |OT| I Have No Mouth but I Will Scream, on The Dark Descent into A Machine
- Thread starter More_Badass
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Evolved1
make sure the pudding isn't too soggy but that just ruins everything
Okay so I didn't know what this was, just bought it randomly. Starts off interesting, and I like the sci-fi stuff... but is this another damn "hide from the monster" stealth game? Cause this seems to be the primarily gameplay loop a couple hours in. A few braindead "unlock the thing" puzzles. And a few "unlock the thing while monster" sequences.
Eh... Is this it?
Because while I dig the setting and little bit of story, it's not enough to push me through this type of gameplay if that's all it is. I'd rather just stop now unless they have some interesting gameplay in store. I'm not talking combat even. Puzzles are fine. But these puzzles suck so far, and the monster thing is just boring and tbh kind of annoying.
Eh... Is this it?
Because while I dig the setting and little bit of story, it's not enough to push me through this type of gameplay if that's all it is. I'd rather just stop now unless they have some interesting gameplay in store. I'm not talking combat even. Puzzles are fine. But these puzzles suck so far, and the monster thing is just boring and tbh kind of annoying.
Dusk Golem
A 21st Century Rockefeller
No, this is not it as I'm sure you'll quickly discover. The game actually has very gew monster encounters, though a lot of monsters that function differently. Have you gone to the first underwater section yet?
Just drop the game and move onto something else, the game is clearly not for you and it won't change enough to make you change your mind.
Evolved1
make sure the pudding isn't too soggy but that just ruins everything
Alright Dusk Golem, I shall press on then.
Edit: Hmm... mixed messages. Helpful, thanks.
Dusk Golem
A 21st Century Rockefeller
If he's at where I think he's at, which is the first base before you start venturing deeper, while I wasn't of the same opinion I wasn't impressed at that point either. And early in, the game looks like its projecting what its going to be from there, but the only typical 'Frictional' monster is that first one, plus about 60-70% ofthe game doesn't even have any monsters., they're very infrequent. But how he's describing it, I don't think he's been out of the first area yet, or at the very least just barely out of it.
To clarify, the game does have some better puzzles, but it's more narrative focused, and the game isn't really a stealth game.. The first monster is, but, well, you'll see.
however, the game at times does play out more like a walking simulator, things to interact with as narrative and scenic things happen, but I do think the game gets better as it goes along.
In that case scratch what I said and soldier on. The game got progressively better for me after the first two hours or so. The story gets really interesting IMO and was the main hook for me to keep going in the end.
Evolved1
make sure the pudding isn't too soggy but that just ruins everything
This was helpful, thanks. Honestly, what I was hoping to hear. I'm exactly where you suspect, and just wanted some reassurance this first gameplay loop they repeat a few times in the first area wasn't just going to be repeated over and over.
I DO like the setting and story so far. Just not very interested in another "hide from the thing while doing thing" game. 60-70% no monster sounds great.
Tainted
Member
The transport level for the Theta complex is frustrating me to no end. Maze-like level design combined with those stalking monsters who seem to be everywhere has put me on the brink of rage quit territory. No idea where to go...just running around in circles and getting chased/killed by them is no fun
Shame, I was really enjoying the game up to this point as well
Shame, I was really enjoying the game up to this point as well
MutonCommander
Banned
The transport level for the Theta complex is frustrating me to no end. Maze-like level design combined with those stalking monsters who seem to be everywhere has put me on the brink of rage quit territory. No idea where to go...just running around in circles and getting chased/killed by them is no fun
Shame, I was really enjoying the game up to this point as well
Are you playing on PC? I believe there's a mod that makes these monsters neutral to you so you can explore freely.
Tainted
Member
yep on PC. I'll persevere with a bit longer and look into that if I can't proceed. Thanks for the heads up on that
Fantastapotamus
Wrong about commas, wrong about everything
So I really love the game so far, except for one part: I don't think any of the monster sequences are effectives, scary or fun in any way. In fact, they just kill my enjoyment of the game because I love exploring the environements, just looking in every corner, reading everything and it's not fun to do that when you have to crouch in the dark every few minutes because a human-sea urchin keeps breathing in your ear. Thankfully there aren't a lot of those sequences so far (I just got into Omikron) but I really wish they weren't there at all.
I just don't get them. They are not scary, they are not fun or tense (unlike in Alien Isolation when you could actually loose a lot of progress when the Alien catches you) they are just....annoying.
The atmosphere and story of the game would have easily worked without them, maybe add some more puzzles if you must but I feel like the game would be much better without those things.
Of course there is. I have to get this mod. Unless somebody here can tell me whether there will be a lot of those sequences in the rest of the game or not.
I just don't get them. They are not scary, they are not fun or tense (unlike in Alien Isolation when you could actually loose a lot of progress when the Alien catches you) they are just....annoying.
The atmosphere and story of the game would have easily worked without them, maybe add some more puzzles if you must but I feel like the game would be much better without those things.
Of course there is. I have to get this mod. Unless somebody here can tell me whether there will be a lot of those sequences in the rest of the game or not.
Disagree. I think having dangerous
roaming around adds to the game. Its also nice that there are a variety of creatures with different rules. Plus nearly every environment with monsters roaming has no stuff to explore outside one major one in mid game and given how tied into the story he is I wasnt bothered much. Frankly outside one monster, they are very lenient on game over states.
elements of the WAU
ZQQLANDER
Member
The transport level for the Theta complex is frustrating me to no end. Maze-like level design combined with those stalking monsters who seem to be everywhere has put me on the brink of rage quit territory. No idea where to go...just running around in circles and getting chased/killed by them is no fun
Shame, I was really enjoying the game up to this point as well
At that part now. Stressful to say the least. I can't even lock myself in a room as the monster can open doors...imagine that. I know what I have to find, now I just have to perform trial and error until I find it.
Regarding the monster:
his particular one is listening only or can it see me too?
Tainted
Member
I persevered on and finished the game. Thankfully the monster parts are few and far between following the Theta base. I ended up following the IGN walkthrough for that part just so I could make a beeline to the exit.
Playing through this has made me want to continue on with Alien Isolation which I shelved at the time due to other things coming out.
Playing through this has made me want to continue on with Alien Isolation which I shelved at the time due to other things coming out.
OrbitalBeard
Member
I hate to ask this, because it makes me sound like a close-minded gamer, but I'm just gonna' go for it.
Is this more of an interactive experience than a game? Are there puzzles, decent combat, exploration, etc.? Or is it more along the lines of something like Everybody's Gone tot he Rapture? I'm not a big fan of those types of experiences. I know very little about this game but I am interested. Might even purchase it tonight.
Is this more of an interactive experience than a game? Are there puzzles, decent combat, exploration, etc.? Or is it more along the lines of something like Everybody's Gone tot he Rapture? I'm not a big fan of those types of experiences. I know very little about this game but I am interested. Might even purchase it tonight.
More_Badass
Member
Puzzles, stealth, exploration, creatures. The story and atmosphere are the real selling points though. And it's like an actual story, excellently paced and knows how and when to build uneasy slow-burn tension, with haunting moments.
OrbitalBeard
Member
Sounds good. Thanks. Gonna' download it tonight or tomorrow.
More_Badass
Member
More exploration than creatures, but personally I find the fewer enemy encounters works to the game's advantage. Pretty much every one is different and since they're rare, they're unpredictable
Also no combat. You can hide and sneak around, and each creature has a different way of dealing with/avoiding it
OrbitalBeard
Member
dave is ok
aztek is ok
They didn't actually make Pigs, if you liked it less. They haven't announced anything after Soma yet
Tainted
Member
Having finished the game, I think the story would have been served better without
the epilogue following the credits showing the other Simon on the ARK. The whole notion of the process being a coin toss loses its impact somewhat with that whimsical conclusion on the ARK
Definitely a thought provoking game though, I feel I need to play through again to absorb more details. I think I need to re-edit my GOTY post to include this now
Zeouterlimits
Member
Yeah, I thought it made sense, or at least I liked it, it made for a dramatic and scary moment.
Fushichou187
Member
Yup, I think having the ending
finish on such a "sour" note
Maybe it did initially and it didn't sit well with early testers?
More_Badass
Member
Eh.
Less whimsical, more bittersweet
an eternal stagnant hell
http://neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1115083
ZQQLANDER
Member
Games is intense.
I've never been so attracted to light in a game with the exception of dark souls.
Dusk Golem
A 21st Century Rockefeller
If you haven' I suggest trying the Penumbra games. Made by same people as SOMA and Dark Descent, their first game, come in a pack together on Steam. My personal favorite series of their, but commonly underlooked.
Series goes Penumbra: Overture first, then Black Pague second. Then an optional expansion named Requiem which is completely puzzle-based.
Overture and Black Plague are worth playing, though.
More_Badass
Member
Did you finish the game yet?
ZQQLANDER
Member
Not yet.
I just got the ARK and am about to go launch it with the rail gun.
How did you guys react to the moral dilemmas?
So far I've killed the copy me and the last human you find at Tau...felt like the right thing to do, but still.....
More_Badass
Member
That attraction towards light sure payed off in the end
And no,
not dying. Trapped forever like all those other robots. And the other Simon is no better off IMO. An eternity in a digital hell, at the whim of space.
Well, the other half of you is partying it up in outer space right now. Probably has a girlfriend now as well.
ZQQLANDER
Member
That attraction towards light sure payed off in the end
And no,not dying. Trapped forever like all those other robots. And the other Simon is no better off IMO. An eternity in a digital hell, at the whim of space.
I know right.
Yeah I don't know which is worse. A depressing existence underwater alone or a virtual existence. Really wanted to wake up in the doctor's office and have had the whole experience been some kind of diagnosis.
What did you all think of the surveys you filled out? You filled one out at in the virtual reailty, but you could also fill one out in Pathos II. Does that imply that Pathos II was also a virtual reality?
What did you all think of the surveys you filled out? You filled one out at in the virtual reailty, but you could also fill one out in Pathos II. Does that imply that Pathos II was also a virtual reality?
Dunkelgrau
Member
This is on sale on PSN since yesterday!
Will start playing it in a few hours.
Will start playing it in a few hours.
Been playing this for the last few days and have just entered
. How much more there is left?
I've really enjoyed the game though those small pauses when the game loads/saves are pretty annoying. Enemy encounters are way more fun and interesting compared to Amnesia and not having to collect batteries for flashlight is a godsend.
Omicron
I've really enjoyed the game though those small pauses when the game loads/saves are pretty annoying. Enemy encounters are way more fun and interesting compared to Amnesia and not having to collect batteries for flashlight is a godsend.
I'm really curious as to what people
put as their answers to the surveys in the game at the 2 points you get them.
The first time I took the survey I put down pretty depressing answers, but on the ARK I put down pretty uplifting ones. I really thought at the end of the game it would gather the statistics on what people put down and how much of a difference there was between peoples answers.
The first time I took the survey I put down pretty depressing answers, but on the ARK I put down pretty uplifting ones. I really thought at the end of the game it would gather the statistics on what people put down and how much of a difference there was between peoples answers.
Can't remember the exact amount but to help: one of the downsides of this game is that the progression is laid out for you from hour 1.
If there's still a base to your right, you've gotta go through it. I can't remember if Omicron is the last.
terrdactycalsrock
Member
This game is running terribly for me. I had it detect and set my settings, but even then I get massive drops for no reason. My specs are gtx 970, a core i5 Intel cpu, and 8 gigs of RAM. Anyone else have problems? Any known fixes to heavy frame rate loss?
SolidusDave
Member
Similar experiences, especially the stuttering is something I would call literally unplayable. Coming from Fallout 4 on PS4 and hearing how bad that is supposedly running I don't understand why there's outrage over 5fps lower framerates vs. not much outrage for something like this at all. It doesn't even look good enough to justify it nor are the levels big.
Luckily it's only sometimes as I otherwise really like the game...
Apparently there wasn't that much left after that point. Few hours or so. I actually don't mind that it "tells" you the progression of the game very early as there are still twists and turns how you end up in those places.
So yeah finished this game and thought it was pretty great. Heard lot of complaining about how the monster encounters are bad / hard but I thought they were good and very well paced. Died only twice and the other time was kind of bullshit. The bullshit part was where
the woman looking enemy starts running at you even if you do everything correctly and realized it too late and thought that I did something wrong and that you couldn't outrun it.
JensenBeeswax
Member
Guys, is there a quality let's play of SOMA out there where the let's player makes you appreciate the story?