SOMA

The atmosphere in *Soma* is widely praised for its immersive and haunting quality, effectively creating a sense of dread and isolation throughout the game. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke existential themes and emotional responses through its sound design, visuals, and environmental storytelling, often comparing it favorably to titles like *Bioshock* and *Amnesia*. While some players note that the gameplay can feel simplistic or repetitive, the rich atmosphere and compelling narrative more than compensate, making it a standout experience in the horror genre.

The gameplay of *Soma* has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its simplicity and linearity, often describing it as a "walking simulator" with basic stealth mechanics and puzzle-solving elements. While some appreciate the atmospheric storytelling and philosophical themes, others find the gameplay repetitive and frustrating, particularly during monster encounters, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is recommended for its compelling narrative and immersive environment, but players seeking complex gameplay may be disappointed.

The graphics of *Soma* have received a mixed but generally positive reception. Many players praise the game's stunning visuals and atmospheric design, particularly in its underwater settings, which effectively enhance the horror experience. However, some critiques highlight that the graphics can feel dated compared to modern standards, with occasional performance issues and visual glitches, yet the overall artistic direction and immersive environments are often noted as strong points that contribute significantly to the game's narrative and emotional impact.

Soma is widely praised for its profound emotional impact, with players describing it as a heart-wrenching and existentially challenging experience. The game's narrative explores deep philosophical questions about humanity, consciousness, and morality, often leaving players in a state of emotional turmoil that lingers long after completion. Many reviewers noted that the story's emotional weight, combined with its immersive atmosphere and character-driven moments, makes it one of the most compelling and memorable gaming experiences available.

The music in "Soma" is widely praised for its ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting the haunting and immersive quality of the soundtrack composed by Mikko Tarmia. While the music is used sparingly, it effectively builds tension during key moments, contributing to the overall sense of dread and emotional depth throughout the game. However, some players noted a lack of options for adjusting sound settings and found the soundtrack less memorable compared to previous titles by the developers.

The grinding aspect of the game has received significant criticism, with many players finding the monster encounters and stealth sections tedious and frustrating rather than engaging or scary. Repetitive gameplay elements, such as hiding from enemies and solving puzzles, often detract from the overall experience, leading to a sense of monotony. While the story and atmosphere are praised, the gameplay mechanics can feel like a chore, making it difficult for some players to fully enjoy the game.

The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and long load times, particularly on mid-range systems. While some users report smooth gameplay and good graphics on higher-end hardware, others find the optimization lacking, suggesting that it may require adjustments or patches for an improved experience. Overall, the game's performance is seen as inconsistent, impacting immersion despite its strong narrative and voice acting.

Overall, "Soma" is noted for its low replayability, with many players indicating that the game is primarily a one-time experience due to its linear narrative and lack of impactful choices. While some mention the potential for replay through mods or exploring different decisions, the consensus is that the game does not offer significant replay value beyond the initial playthrough. Despite this, the immersive story and atmosphere are often highlighted as compelling reasons to experience the game at least once.

The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting a range of bugs and glitches, particularly with enemy AI and visual effects, which can detract from the experience. While some users experienced smooth gameplay with minimal issues, others faced significant problems, including crashes and freezing, especially in specific environments. Overall, while the game runs well on various platforms, including Linux and Steam Deck, it is often described as "buggy" and in need of optimization.

The humor in the game is described as a blend of dark and light-hearted moments, often juxtaposed with its horror elements, creating a unique emotional experience. Players appreciate the engaging voice acting and witty dialogue, particularly between characters Simon and Catherine, which adds depth and levity to the narrative. While some find the humor effective and entertaining, others feel it occasionally falls flat or detracts from the overall impact of the story.

Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and realism, with many reviewers highlighting the well-crafted story and engaging character arcs that leave a lasting impression. However, some critiques point to minimal development for certain characters, particularly in the game's conclusion, suggesting that while the character design and interactions are strong, there could be more resolution and depth in specific areas. Overall, the game is recommended for those who appreciate rich storytelling and character exploration.

The game is praised for its lack of intrusive DLCs and microtransactions, which is seen as a significant positive in an industry often criticized for exploitative monetization practices. Reviewers express a desire for more advertising to promote this "ultra rare jewel," highlighting its quality despite its age. Overall, the absence of monetization pitfalls enhances the game's appeal.