Soma

SOMA is not the horror game I expected from Frictional, but it’s an excellent piece of science fiction that feels of a piece with stories by Harlan Ellison and Philip K. Dick as much as Frictional’s previous work.

88%Game Brain Score

story, atmosphere

grinding, replayability

96% User Score Based on 38,078 reviews

Critic Score 81%Based on 36 reviews

Platforms

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About

In SOMA, you'll explore a mysterious underwater research facility, confronting horrifying creatures and tackling tough ethical questions. Advanced A.I. systems and intricate puzzles create an immersive, psychological horror experience. As you uncover the fate of the facility's inhabitants, prepare to question your own humanity.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 38,114 reviews

story13.2k positive mentions

grinding405 negative mentions

story
26,495 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
48%
2%
The story of "Soma" is widely praised for its depth and thought-provoking themes, exploring concepts of consciousness, identity, and what it means to be human. Players appreciate the immersive narrative that unfolds through environmental storytelling, audio logs, and character interactions, often leaving a lasting emotional impact. While the gameplay mechanics receive mixed reviews, many agree that the compelling story is the primary reason to engage with the game, making it a standout title in the horror genre.
- “The story of the game is top tier, in addition to the amazing voice acting of the two main characters, Simon and Catherine, creating an almost real atmosphere.”
- “What I do know is that the story of this game left me breathless and constantly wanting to know more.”
- “The way the story unfolds and the way the relationships develop are what kept making me want to come back to the game over and over and play more and more.”
- “The plot is very linear and predictable, making it hard to stay engaged with the story.”
- “The story is extremely predictable, and I guessed all the major reveals and the ending.”
- “The story is well-structured, but it lacks depth and fails to deliver any significant twists.”
atmosphere
7,202 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
35%
1%
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 atmosphere is incredibly immersive, with hauntingly beautiful environments that perfectly set the stage for the eerie journey ahead.”
- “This isn't just another horror game — it's a masterpiece with an amazing atmosphere, captivating story, and voice actors who brought the characters to life with incredible depth and emotion.”
- “The atmosphere is impeccably crafted, immersing players in a haunting world that keeps them on edge throughout the journey.”
- “Voice actors are atrocious and talk way, way too much, ruining any attempt at establishing atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is dark & you are alone.”
- “The atmosphere in this game is incredibly tense and oppressive and doesn't rely on jumpscares.”
gameplay
6,148 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
67%
8%
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.
- “Gameplay-wise, Soma keeps you engaged with its mix of exploration, puzzles, and stealth elements.”
- “The gameplay is both challenging and rewarding, with a perfect balance of exploration, puzzle-solving, and moments of spine-chilling horror.”
- “Soma features a unique blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and stealth mechanics that create an immersive and engaging gameplay experience.”
- “The gameplay at times can be infuriating because the stealth segments overstay their welcome, and the game does very little to help lead the player, so you find yourself wandering aimlessly quite often, unable to find whatever you need, or unaware of what you need to find to progress.”
- “Yeah, the story and meaning behind it was deep, thought-provoking and well crafted but the gameplay loop was unbelievably bland and boring.”
- “The gameplay is extremely frustrating at times, but the story and environment make up for it.”
graphics
3,668 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
40%
3%
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.
- “The graphics are stunning, the story and gameplay are well rounded, if a bit repetitive at times.”
- “The graphics hold up amazingly, voice acting is well done and full of emotion, and the world and environment are very fleshed out and full of detail.”
- “The underwater setting is beautifully haunting, with stunning visuals and an atmospheric sound design that keeps you on edge.”
- “Visuals overall feel dated (for a post-2010 game it's pretty bad) and post-effects are way too much, inducing nausea even in a healthy person.”
- “For a 2015 game in this genre these graphics are trash.”
- “The graphics are a little dated by today's standard, which does detract from the experience a little, since most of what you are doing is walking and looking around you.”
emotional
1,213 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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.
- “To put it simply, this has one of the best horror narratives in gaming - it's shocking, heart-wrenching, and existentially terrifying - and navigating all of the questions Soma asks (primarily: what does it mean to be human?) is nothing short of gripping.”
- “This game is amazing, the ending is so emotional I cry every time without fail.”
- “The story is another level, though - it's incredibly deep, depressing, emotional, etc. and really immerses you into the world and the existential struggles of the characters that are revealed as you progress.”
music
1,030 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
54%
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 sound design and music add layers to the tension, making every moment filled with unease.”
- “Shout-out to Mikko Tarmia for the fantastic soundtrack.”
- “The music is haunting and atmospheric, with a mix of ambient tracks and intense, pulse-pounding pieces that enhance the tension and emotion of the game's story.”
- “3: limited options, no way to change voice, music, sound volumes (which in this day and age is a bit of a shocker really)”
- “Sadly, like many games, there is no music except at the end.”
- “The monsters are way scarier than Amnesia's, but the music doesn't do them justice (the music is great, it just isn't apparent enough as in Amnesia).”
grinding
447 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
9%
91%
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.
- “Though it isn't grinding when the game is absolutely amazing.”
- “Lot's of walking around, reading things, playing with terminals... but it's not tedious and annoying like other games where they have 'half action half environment' because it's not an action game.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “The story, worldbuilding and overall mood are fantastic, but the monster-escaping segments get extremely tedious around mid-game, due to confusing levels coupled with unfair enemy AI and intense visual distortion when you look at them.”
- “The absolute worst part of this game is the monster mechanics and it has become so tedious dealing with them I think I'll go read a book.”
- “The pacing can be tedious at some parts and once an enemy has seen you, you get a hard time evading it.”
optimization
426 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
46%
21%
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.
- “In terms of performance, Soma runs smoothly on most modern systems, with few bugs or glitches to speak of.”
- “The game's graphics settings can be adjusted to suit a wide range of hardware configurations, allowing players to achieve the best possible performance without sacrificing too much in terms of visual fidelity.”
- “The story is unique, graphics are good, the game is well optimized even for older rigs like mine running smooth on FHD (Core2Quad, 8GB, Radeon 6950) and there is a very atmospheric underwater feel to it.”
- “The stuttering/frame pacing is really bad in this game.”
- “I have a 6900xt, a card well capable enough to be running this last-gen game on max settings, yet I can't even run it at medium settings without the game constantly running into performance issues and dropping frames.”
- “The game is so badly optimized that it will ruin your game experience.”
replayability
382 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
59%
31%
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.
- “Soma has a high replay value, with multiple endings and hidden secrets to discover.”
- “The game's focus on atmosphere and immersion is what sets it apart from others in the genre, and its high replay value makes it a must-play for fans of the genre.”
- “I've never played a game that actually managed to ever feel so greatly made, perfectly designed, a well-made story, an absolute immersive gameplay with mods to keep the game replayable.”
- “While Soma may have low replay value, its initial playthrough offers a lasting psychological impact, making it a must-play for genre fans.”
- “That is correct; while there are some choices you can make during the game, none of them affect the ending, meaning the game has 0 replayability save for re-experiencing its environments.”
- “The only downside is the lack of replay value, a very common caveat in single player horror games.”
stability
236 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
3%
79%
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.
- “All movement and interaction feels smooth and seamless, and completely bug free.”
- “In my experience, the game was bug free.”
- “Linux version was released on day-1, I've even pre-ordered this game, it runs great, looks great... it's amazing!”
- “It's been over seven years since this game released, and there's a bug right at the beginning that freezes you in the doctor's office and forces you to start over.”
- “The sound design in this game is something else, the plot, voice acting, and atmosphere are top-notch, but the game can get very annoying mostly because of its glitches. I just got into a loop of Simon yelling 'argh fu*ck' and can't do anything else except restarting the game from the latest saved point, which are automatic, and hope this doesn't happen again.”
- “The game can get buggy at times and loading up new areas or from saved states can cause minor lagging and frame skips.”
humor
142 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
2%
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.
- “The game focuses heavily on building up an enjoyable story with the intentions of saving everyone possible, which is funny considering everyone is basically a robot, except one person who is the last human.”
- “Soma is really a wonderful game, it has a perfect balance of interesting concepts, dark humor, and scary moments.”
- “Even though the situations are very dark, the developers manage to present the funny side of how messed up everything is.”
- “The game is filled with funny bugs that often distract from the overall experience.”
- “While the humor is intended to be lighthearted, the funny bugs can be more annoying than amusing.”
- “I found the funny bugs to be a mixed bag; some were genuinely humorous, but others just felt like a lack of polish.”
character development
136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
38%
6%
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 well-crafted story and rich character development make it a standout in narrative-driven horror, leaving a lasting impression.”
- “The character development and the actions are all so genuine and realistic, and it's not too much to say it's one of the best games I've ever played... across all genres.”
- “The story, level design, character development, and voice acting come together to deliver a unique and unforgettable experience.”
- “Overall, I found Soma to be lacking in story, writing, character development, and gameplay.”
- “Not much replayability either, since there's no character development or dialogue choices.”
- “The only character development is Simon getting more whiny and Catherine hating him more and more.”
monetization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
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.
- “There is a percentage of big companies that understand that they no longer need to be original to get money, and at the end of the day, that is all that matters to them... EA... Microsoft... Ubisoft... the mobile gaming industry... the ones who invented 'microtransactions'...”