SOMA
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
SOMA is highly regarded as a landmark in psychological horror, praised almost universally for its profound narrative exploration of consciousness and human identity. While its atmosphere, sound design, and voice acting are considered top-tier, the actual gameplay mechanics—specifically stealth and monster encounters—are frequently described as the weakest elements, leading some to view it more as an interactive story or walking simulator than a traditional game.
Pros
- Deeply thought-provoking story and philosophical themes that resonate long after completion.
- Masterful atmosphere and environmental design, particularly the 'crushing' dread of underwater settings.
- Exceptional voice acting and sound design that enhance immersion.
- Memorable and impactful ending that is widely considered a highlight of the medium.
- Well-balanced puzzles that require thought without being frustratingly difficult.
Cons
- Stealth mechanics can feel clunky and sometimes clash with the game's narrative pacing.
- Monster encounters are often viewed as predictable or annoying 'walking puzzles' rather than genuine threats.
- Death and reloading can break the immersion and atmospheric tension.
- Limited gameplay depth; some players find the 'walking simulator' style too light on interaction.
- The 'injury vision' mechanic after being caught by monsters can be frustrating to navigate.
Caveats
- The game is a narrative-heavy experience where the 'horror' is often more existential than mechanical.
- Some players find the plot's unanswered questions intriguing, while others find them slightly confusing or underdeveloped.
Best for
- Players who prioritize narrative, atmosphere, and philosophical sci-fi over complex gameplay.
- Fans of 'walking simulators' looking for a high-stakes, chilling experience.
- Those interested in the nature of consciousness and identity.
Avoid if
- You are looking for deep combat or highly polished stealth mechanics.
- You dislike 'helpless' horror games where you cannot fight back against enemies.
- You prefer long, gameplay-dense titles over shorter, linear narrative experiences.
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 122-month half-life. The evidence comes from 30 selected mentions with a median age of 390 days, primarily sourced from r/patientgamers.
Sentiment
26 positive (70%) · 6 mixed (16%) · 5 negative (14%)
Trust + time weighted score: +58% · raw score 57%
What redditors said (10 of 37)
I liked it, but honestly, it wasn’t much of a game, more like an interactive story. It was really thought provoking and immersive, though
My only negative experience was with the stealth gameplay. It wasn't that it was *bad*, it just felt to me like it didn't suit the mood of the game and resetting from dying just broke the immersion for me in having to go back and replay a section to get to where I died.
SOMA has been on my list for a while now, and all the reasons I saw it recommended were true: incredible psychological horror atmosphere, gripping story that gradually unfolds with twists and turns, gorgeous environments, etc.
I really loved Soma and indeed while not the most original story, for me it is one that I almost remember the most from my 40 gears of gaming.
I thought SOMA was a cool story but the gameplay is really not for me.
This way I boot up SOMA (2015) I was never so impressed with a game before! I believe there are pieces of media, movies, books whatever it is that hits you like a train. It makes you thinking about it for days, weeks. It is the moment that makes somebody a fan! That was SOMA for me!
Parent context: SOMA is interesting to me, I have heard great things about it, but I don't really typically play singleplayer horror titles. Do you reckon it is a good pick for anyone? Reply: It's very light on gameplay. Basically a walking simulator except for when you're getting chased. The acclaim is all about the narrative.
SOMA is one of the coolest narratives in any game, ever. Bonus points for being short.
Everything about soma is a masterpiece of horror, the atmosphere and environments feel crushing and lonely, the puzzles require thought but are never hard enough to need a walkthrough or guide, the voice acting was absolutely top notch both from the main cast and the side characters too, and even while the enemy/monster encounters while they are the weakest moments of the game these moments still had me on constant edge and even had me shit myself at times running into them around a corner. ... Soma is by far the best horror game I've ever played and has solidified itself as one of my favorite games of all time
I think my favorite game with moral choices in it is Soma because actually your choices don’t matter and you can make them more honestly.
Compare
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