More_Badass
Member
That's how the Jimquisition review described it. A science fiction story with horrific elements
SOMA |OT| I Have No Mouth but I Will Scream, on The Dark Descent into A Machine
- Thread starter More_Badass
- Start date
UpDownLeftRight
Banned
Thanks. Probably going to get a second run out of this then. I'm loving it so far and the story has me hooked already.
I'm 5 hours in and so far I'm not enjoying it as much as Amnesia or Penumbra despite this being Frictional's most polished game to date, I've just realised chatty protagonists completely kill tension for me (it doesn't help that the voice acting is so-so).
I also think giving the player a diving suit from the get go was a mistake: I don't know about other people, but I personally consider drowning one of the scariest way to die, not having to worry about that in a horror game doesn't feel right to me.
I also think giving the player a diving suit from the get go was a mistake: I don't know about other people, but I personally consider drowning one of the scariest way to die, not having to worry about that in a horror game doesn't feel right to me.
More_Badass
Member
You don't have a diving suit. You are the diving suit.
If you got it on steam and have played it for no more than 2 hrs. you can ask for a refund.
Neff
Member
PSN last night. I'm stuck with it.
It would be unfair to write it off before finishing it, but after several hours I'm not feeling these critical 9s and 10s at all, far from it.
I am aware of this, I was talking from a gameplay perspective
I think what people don't appreciate about horror is that it is NOT about being scared. Horror is a thematic qualifier, not an indicator of the expectation of being scared.
Some times things are disgusting, or unsettling but does not elicit a fight-or-flight terrified response.
Player's expectations are just too rigidly defined this generation due to the influx of shock-scare games being associated with the genre compared to older gens which often had games that fit under horror, but weren't necessarily terrifying (IMO)
loaf of bread
Member
Early spoilers
How do you not kill Carl? Do these things actually matter or change anything?
samueljustice00
Member
find his real body that has his login for the terminal to unlock the door that diverts the power so you can open the comm room
GwyndolinCinder
Member
I hope somebody makes a spoiler thread, im dying to talk about the story
brandonh83
Banned
Some are enjoying it but there seems to be a gulf between a lot of the current impressions and reviews.
I saw the first bit of this in the first room before you meet the doc. Through the ceiling.
More_Badass
Member
AHA-Lambda
Member
Well I'm hoping it picks up again from where I am, it started strong but it gave its twist away too soon.
More_Badass
Member
It seems many were going in expecting a game super scary, with more encounters, etc. from the get-go, while Frictional said numerous times and in detail that the game's pacing is a slow burn, focusing on the narrative, themes, and atmosphere, ramping up as the game progresses
They wanted to generate horror from the themes and implications and story, not just darkness and scary monsters
Soyongdori
Member
So why exactly are some people not so happy about this game?
More_Badass
Member
Wasn't really a twist. Frictional had been talking about that concept for years, as far back as the live-action teasers. Even blatantly showed it in promo art just before release. It was the obvious plot line
Because they wanted it to be something that it's not
Soyongdori
Member
Too broad, is it the gameplay or the plot?
It's not a straight up jump scare horror game
Soyongdori
Member
I don't think this game intends to be another Amnesia. People have been comparing it to Penumbra instead, which also isn't considered jump scare type of game.
AHA-Lambda
Member
Well I didn't know beforehand.
Eh? Penumbra is a definite horror game in a more classic sense, and personally I find it Frictional's best work. I wouldn't compare it with Soma at all.
EscapeArtist
Banned
This is actually why I'm MORE interested in the game. Weird sci-fi story with horror undertones, sounds great to me...I just bought it on GoG and I'm waiting for it to download, pretty excited
Soyongdori
Member
Penumbra isn't even considered jump scare game, except that one part at near the end in Overture and the hacksaw part in Black Plague.
AHA-Lambda
Member
I didn't say jump scare, but horror that is reminiscent of something more "classic" or "traditional" I guess. (I don't want to say Amnesia when it came out after)
I'm surprised it's not considered one though, it has monster encounters that seem fairly similar to Amnesia, but I'd argue better done.
Soyongdori
Member
I was replying to the person who said Soma isn't like last Frictional games because it's not straight up jump scare game.
This is going to sound pretentious as all hell, but i'm a philosphy major and a bit of a sci-fi nerd. This stuff is what i live for basically. I am glad they went for something more thematically substantive.This is actually why I'm MORE interested in the game. Weird sci-fi story with horror undertones, sounds great to me...I just bought it on GoG and I'm waiting for it to download, pretty excited
Horror has been thematically stagnant and people don't really care because they are just in for the jump scares.
Neff
Member
Personally I find the gameplay very simplistic and 'experience-y', with lots of uneventful walking between objectives and sparse interaction. Environment design is sub-par, with many superfluous rooms full of random junk. Enemy encounters are unsatisfying, either being braindead easy or inexplicably, illogically difficult. The one really good thing the game has going for it, its sense of a hostile environment due to being set underwater-
becomes irrelevant early since you can exist quite happily in the ocean unaided without worrying about pressure, cold or oxygen
There are good things about the game (it mostly looks great, it has one of the best underwater tunnels I've ever seen), and I won't give a verdict until I finish it, but so far the bad is outweighing the good.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
Oh rubbish. Don't generalised critical response that isn't favourable as simply misaligned expectations.
I'm stoked it's not Amnesia 2.0. But in play I can't pretend I find the level design or encounters particularly interesting or enthralling. That's been the most surprisingly underwhelming facet so far; I'm invested in the narrative and themes and I like where they're going with it, but I don't find it a particularly interesting game to play.
I was happy to see this game is not Amnesia 2.0.
The amount of story in the setting and how it ties together is very well done this time around. its not even scary, but more engaging.
If this didn't have the hide bits... this could be compared to dear esther and be better. Because it has puzzles. But it does hte story presentation in a better way.
AHA-Lambda
Member
I didn't come for jump scares.
Hearing about the games strong plot and oppressive atmosphere was what sold me on the game, as well as liking Amnesua and Penumbra. As I said earlier though if it was just Amnesia again I'd be disappointed, it's old hat now.
My main problem has been that at least so far, despite a strong opening, the story hasn't really grabbed me (I said spinning its wheels earlier) and I was hoping for the atmosphere to be more oppressive I guess. Maybe it's the talking protagonist I don't know what yet, but I feel no horror of any kind playing Soma, jump scare or no.
And yeah the mechanics are crap but they were crap in Amnesia too so that's neither here nor there.
But again I've not finished yet, I hope the story picks up, but these are my feelings so far.
Comfort Jones
Banned
This is kind of a gross over generalization.
My biggest issue is how simple your interactions with the enemies are. It's downright not scary at times. The game bills itself as a really creepy horror game but it's clearly more interested in its story than its gameplay.
brandonh83
Banned
I doubt I'll mind then. Can't wait, still downloading urgh
Turin Turambar
Member
From the three hours I played, it's now more a "walking simulator". Not totally, there are some stealth parts or puzzles, but in comparison with Amnesia it's how it feels, like a horror scifi Gone Home.
For example, there are no consumables or proper inventory now.
I think Amnesia was stronger, and I don't particularly care for scare jumps.
---
edit: I think one of the problems is that even if the game have a good in crescendo later, it starts off with the wrong foot. This is spoilers of the first two hours:
You are in the future!! Your true life is already over, everyone you knew is dead!
"Ok."
You are in a robot body!
"ok".
Humanity went extinct!
"ok".
We have a wild plan to send a satellite with a virtual world full of AI that are copies of humans to the space!!
"ok". "Can we, like, upload ourselves there too? It isn't like we have anything better to do".
"Ok."
You are in a robot body!
"ok".
Humanity went extinct!
"ok".
We have a wild plan to send a satellite with a virtual world full of AI that are copies of humans to the space!!
"ok". "Can we, like, upload ourselves there too? It isn't like we have anything better to do".
The game is... incredibly nonchalant with what in theory should be shocking revelations or twists for the protagonist.
It's very well produced, the setting is very well done and I'm interested in how the plot will evolve, but with that protagonist I'm kind of seeing the story from a outsider perspective, like a viewer of a movie, not "from the inside".
lowhighkang_LHK
Member
So hows the ps4 version? If its 1080p 30fps at default settings I'm all for it. I don't think my PC can play this on high settings anyway.
brandonh83
Banned
Yes. $26.99.
vainglorious
Member
SlasherJPC
Banned
Getting lost and puzzled in the under water sequences were very minor for me. Having beat the game quicker then most at 7 hours, pacing or confusion was never a huge deal.
The twist that comes early was expected, granted it came earlier then I thought. Which went to prove later that there were bigger revelations that would serve to be a bigger impact, at least to me.
As far as gameplay is concerned, this is basically Amnesia 2.0 but there's where the similarities end. While I can understand some folks really not feeling terror from the Sci fi setting, the same can be said for Amnesia, especially that comical mouth wide open monster. The monsters in Amnesia didn't scare me as so much the enviroments and ideas at play. Again if Sci fi isn't your thing, that can make this game come off weak.
That all said, even though I found it tense and scary but far less often then Amnesia, the overall plot and the core idea behind the store is hugely awesome for the Sci fi crowd and one of the best since it really made me question things, which most games never even get the chance of providing a similar feeling.
It's not going to be for everyone just like horror is very hard and different to generally gauge. SOMA works off a slow build up that escalates and increases to its roaring conclusion.
The twist that comes early was expected, granted it came earlier then I thought. Which went to prove later that there were bigger revelations that would serve to be a bigger impact, at least to me.
As far as gameplay is concerned, this is basically Amnesia 2.0 but there's where the similarities end. While I can understand some folks really not feeling terror from the Sci fi setting, the same can be said for Amnesia, especially that comical mouth wide open monster. The monsters in Amnesia didn't scare me as so much the enviroments and ideas at play. Again if Sci fi isn't your thing, that can make this game come off weak.
That all said, even though I found it tense and scary but far less often then Amnesia, the overall plot and the core idea behind the store is hugely awesome for the Sci fi crowd and one of the best since it really made me question things, which most games never even get the chance of providing a similar feeling.
It's not going to be for everyone just like horror is very hard and different to generally gauge. SOMA works off a slow build up that escalates and increases to its roaring conclusion.
Se_7_eN
Member
There is, its 26.99 instead of 29.99
EscapeArtist
Banned
I'm no philosophy major
but I can definitely tell you that I appreciate a horror game with great atmosphere MUCH more than one that just has some monster closets. Also I think this has some cyberpunk-ish stuff in it...and I just want more cyberpunk in my life toddhunter
Member
I'm seeing a lot of "it is very short" and "it is a machine for pigs again" opinions floating around.
Is that pretty much hitting the mark? (For better or worse)
Turin Turambar
Member
I still can't say until I'm finished, but I don't think it's as "bad" (I didn't like it) as A Machine for Pigs.
I must say I don't get the underwater complaint above, there's a clearly worn path with downlamps which light up as you go so you know where you've been. The short view distance is obviously intentional and only really obscures enemy encounters. Has a nice 'peering through the murk' thing going on. Doesn't feel poorly designed at all to me :V
That said, I've only done one ocean crossing, so perhaps future ones are not as good. After all, the first encounter always has the thrill of the unknown :]
Mechanically, or perhaps physically, I love it. The analogue object manipulation remains my favourite thing about Frictional's games and the return of (almost) Doom 3 style computer screens to gaming is the best.
Although, while I get the console/lower res reasons for the view lock to a screen, I would much prefer a maintained first person view like Doom 3 did :n
So yeah, I think the game is great so far. I do look forwards to some more interesting AI encounters though.
That said, I've only done one ocean crossing, so perhaps future ones are not as good. After all, the first encounter always has the thrill of the unknown :]
Mechanically, or perhaps physically, I love it. The analogue object manipulation remains my favourite thing about Frictional's games and the return of (almost) Doom 3 style computer screens to gaming is the best.
Although, while I get the console/lower res reasons for the view lock to a screen, I would much prefer a maintained first person view like Doom 3 did :n
So yeah, I think the game is great so far. I do look forwards to some more interesting AI encounters though.