Still Wakes the Deep

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,604 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Still Wakes the Deep Game Cover
Still Wakes the Deep is wonderfully, authentically Scottish – even the carpets on the Beira D oil rig are tartan. It's also a singularly immersive and utterly memorable piece of work that's among The Chinese Room's very best.
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"Still Wakes the Deep" is a first-person narrative horror game from The Chinese Room, the creators of "Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs" and "Everybody's Gone to the Rapture." As an oil rig worker, you must survive a violent storm, treacherous waters, and an otherworldly terror while searching for your crew and trying to communication with the outside world. The game is known for its atmospheric world-building, audio, writing, and acting.

  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,604 reviews
story1,018 positive mentions
replayability19 negative mentions
  • Incredible voice acting and character development that makes the story engaging.
  • Stunning visuals and atmospheric design that create a sense of dread and immersion.
  • Unique setting on an oil rig that adds to the horror experience.
  • Very linear gameplay with minimal interactivity and no real puzzles.
  • Short playtime of around 4-5 hours, which may not justify the full price for some players.
  • Some gameplay mechanics, like swimming and climbing, can feel clunky and frustrating.
  • story2,009 mentions

    The story of "Still Wakes the Deep" is a compelling blend of horror and emotional depth, set against the backdrop of an oil rig in the North Sea. Players navigate a linear narrative filled with atmospheric tension, engaging character interactions, and a haunting exploration of themes like loss and survival, often drawing comparisons to classic horror films like "The Thing." While some reviewers noted the story's predictability and linearity, many praised its emotional impact, voice acting, and immersive world-building, making it a memorable experience for fans of story-driven horror games.

    • “The atmosphere is incredibly creepy, the story that goes along with it is incredibly moving and authentic, and so are the accents.”
    • “Still Wakes the Deep is an amazing blend of storytelling and visuals with a very fresh dialogue that makes the characters feel like real people.”
    • “The story is rich, you love the characters, the horror aspect is perfect, and the ending is just a cherry on top!”
    • “Although this game has a unique setting, incredible visuals and sounds, and it starts on a really high note, the main story leaves a lot to be desired and you end up with a bit of 'well that was pointless' kind of feeling.”
    • “The story is remarkably thin and really just serves to get the main character from point A to point B.”
    • “The story leaves a lot to be desired, none of the characters are memorable, you're just weaving your way through bland, visually uninteresting nonsense.”
  • graphics712 mentions

    The graphics of "Still Wakes the Deep" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and atmospheric design, effectively enhancing the game's horror elements. Many players noted the impressive detail in environments, character models, and lighting, particularly praising the use of Unreal Engine 5 to create a visually immersive experience. However, some users experienced performance issues and graphical glitches, suggesting that while the visuals are top-notch, optimization could be improved for smoother gameplay.

    • “The graphics are stunning, and the voice acting is top-notch, with performances that convey deep emotion.”
    • “The visuals are absolutely fantastic, although some elements seem to animate at 30fps.”
    • “The graphics, powered by Unreal Engine, deliver stunning visuals and effects that truly capture the atmosphere of the rig and its surroundings.”
    • “Depending on your computer's specs, if you try to stream while playing this game you may have to turn the graphics settings all the way down, and it might affect how you enjoy the game.”
    • “However, it does have a minor graphic issue where stretched objects would go wild.”
    • “Despite having at least the recommended PC requirements, in most cases better, I still had to turn down all the graphical settings to the lowest I could stand, and I was even then getting occasional frame jumps and big lag spikes, all while my poor PC's fans are running like a goddamn airplane the entire time - especially noticeable while entering the deck (perhaps the water graphics?) and especially whenever there were a lot of moving parts or people on screen.”
  • gameplay705 mentions

    The gameplay of "Still Wakes the Deep" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its linearity and simplicity, often describing it as a walking simulator with minimal mechanics. While the game excels in atmosphere, story, and voice acting, the gameplay is criticized for being repetitive and lacking depth, primarily involving basic tasks like navigating environments, completing quick-time events, and using simple stealth mechanics. Overall, players appreciate the immersive experience but feel that the gameplay could benefit from more variety and challenge.

    • “I like how interactive a lot of the mechanics in the game are, and it really feels like you're playing as the protagonist.”
    • “Absolutely brilliant game, amazing graphics and extremely story-rich with excellent gameplay to go with it, would highly recommend!”
    • “The gameplay is a combination of walking/running like hell simulator, light parkour, very basic stealth, and some weird extra keybinds for gripping ladders and clinging to things that of course you would cling to regardless.”
    • “But it is a walking simulator, you're very much on-rails and there's minimal gameplay mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is effectively absent.”
    • “The gameplay itself is incredibly simple in my opinion and most of it focuses on the player enjoying the experience and atmosphere more than anything.”
  • atmosphere534 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Still Wakes the Deep" is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, effectively blending stunning graphics, exceptional sound design, and strong voice acting to create a deeply unsettling experience. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke feelings of dread and tension, often comparing it to classic horror films, while its unique setting on an oil rig adds to the overall ambiance. Despite some critiques regarding gameplay depth, the atmospheric storytelling and emotional engagement are consistently noted as standout features, making it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven horror.

    • “Still Wakes the Deep is a masterclass in atmospheric horror that delivers a tense, memorable, and emotionally gripping experience.”
    • “The sound design, visuals, everything works together so well to create such an unsettling, immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredibly creepy, the story that goes along with it is incredibly moving and authentic, and so are the accents.”
    • “The horror elements are effective, featuring intense chase sequences and an unsettling atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is oppressing.”
  • emotional188 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game has garnered mixed responses from players. Many found it to be a deeply moving experience, with several moments that elicited tears and strong emotional reactions, particularly towards the end, thanks to compelling storytelling and excellent voice acting. However, some players felt a lack of emotional investment due to minimal character development and a straightforward narrative, leading to a disconnect during pivotal moments. Overall, while the game successfully delivers emotional highs for many, it struggles to engage all players on the same level.

    • “It's got some good horror moments and gets quite emotional at the end with the story.”
    • “The story is absolutely heartbreaking.”
    • “Still wakes the deep is one of the most emotionally resonant horror games I've played.”
    • “The story was boring and made zero sense.”
  • music138 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers praising its emotional depth and fitting integration into gameplay. While some noted that the music is used sparingly, it effectively builds tension and complements the narrative, contributing to a cinematic experience. Overall, the soundtrack, along with exceptional voice acting and sound design, is highlighted as a standout feature that elevates the game's immersive qualities.

    • “The atmosphere, voice acting, and music are absolutely stunning.”
    • “The music was perfect and fitting for the tensions, and string pulling emotions during situations.”
    • “The music, art direction, and characters are all amazing and even though the story's meaning goes over my head it didn't stop me from getting invested and enjoying the game.”
    • “The music is ok, and also quite sparse, which is fine since it probably would have just distracted most of the time, especially with it not being particularly good.”
    • “Pretentious sad music that's trying hard to make you feel sad and as a result takes you out of certain moments.”
    • “Generally good sound design, I don't remember a single track from the music except the credits.”
  • optimization122 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues, particularly with frame rate drops in certain areas, despite having high-end hardware. While some users reported smooth performance with tweaks and settings adjustments, others noted that the game struggles to maintain consistent frame rates, especially in graphically demanding scenes. Overall, while the visuals and voice acting are praised, the need for further optimization and bug fixes is a common concern among players.

    • “The graphics are stunning, and the voice acting is top-notch, with performances that convey deep emotion.”
    • “The locations look amazing, characters are detailed enough and the horror is impressively rendered, plus performance was without issues.”
    • “A fascinating atmospheric setting mixed with stellar voice performances creates an experience that isn’t just some 'walking simulator'.”
    • “I would argue to say that the game is very unoptimized at times and has moments (particularly with the water) where the game absolutely tanks in terms of frame rate.”
    • “Performance is downright horrible.”
    • “I'm sorry but this game needs some serious optimization and technical updates because, for me at least, this game has some of the worst framerate drops I've experienced.”
  • replayability63 mentions

    Overall, the game exhibits very low replayability, primarily due to its linear structure and lack of meaningful choices or branching paths. Most players find that once the story is completed, there is little incentive to replay, aside from achievement hunting. With a playtime of around 4-6 hours, many reviewers suggest waiting for a sale, as the limited replay value does not justify the full price.

    • “The gameplay is mostly walking-based, but there are a few very good stealth sections, and overall I feel like it has decent replayability (especially if you're going for all achievements, which you should, they're fun).”
    • “While this game is on the shorter end (~5 hours for me while taking my time) and probably doesn't have a lot of replay value, that's not a criticism.”
    • “A bit on the shorter side with limited replayability, but boy did I laugh, cry, and enjoy this treat of a game!”
    • “There's also the fact that there's not really a lot of replayability considering once you've encountered everything once it kinda gets predictable.”
    • “The lack of replayability, unless you're achievement hunting, or just bored & want to replay it, is agonizing, and with a ~5 hour play time, I really couldn't imagine paying full price for this, hence why I'd recommend waiting for a sale.”
    • “The game is very linear which removes most of the replay value.”
  • stability60 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting various glitches, including visual bugs, soft locks, and frame rate drops, particularly in demanding areas. While some users experienced minimal issues and praised the overall performance, others found the gameplay frustratingly buggy, leading to a recommendation to wait for patches before fully engaging with the game. Overall, the game's visual appeal is noted, but the stability concerns detract from the experience for many players.

    • “Looks great, runs great.”
    • “Getting into the game itself, the visuals are fantastic, and the game runs great to boot (at least in my experience).”
    • “Aside from a few minor hiccups, my experience was relatively bug free.”
    • “But many visual glitches, clipping errors, and so on.”
    • “I deeply wish that I could recommend this game, but with the current glitches I feel like I have to tell people to wait and save their money until the developer spends the time fixing the bugs.”
    • “Warning, do not use FSR 3 in this game or you will experience constant crashes and freezes!”
  • humor53 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending dark comedy with engaging dialogue and character interactions that often elicit genuine laughter. Players appreciate the witty banter, particularly the Scottish accents, which add a unique charm and levity to the otherwise intense horror experience. Many found the combination of humor and horror to be refreshing, with moments of levity that enhance character relatability and narrative depth.

    • “Flesh monsters scare me, but the funny Scottish voices make me feel better while I'm drowning.”
    • “The banter between the characters is excellent - there were two moments in the second half of the game that genuinely made me laugh out loud.”
    • “The voice acting is divine and hilarious!”
  • grinding27 mentions

    Overall, reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is often perceived as tedious and repetitive, with many players expressing frustration over the lack of engaging gameplay elements and the monotony of tasks such as climbing and valve-turning. While some sections maintain a level of excitement, the general consensus is that the gameplay loop can feel drawn out and unchallenging, detracting from the overall experience. However, a few players appreciated the pacing and narrative, suggesting that not all aspects of the game suffer from tedium.

    • “Hide-and-seek encounters and chase scenes are thankfully not tedious, something I can't really say about other horror walking simulators.”
    • “The gameplay isn't tedious, and it doesn’t have time to get boring since the game ends right on time.”
    • “The game overstays its welcome and turns a neat concept and scary setting into something that just feels tedious.”
    • “I know it's a walking sim - I get that and it's a genre I normally like, but my goodness this game tests your patience with moving you from one tedious task to the next, all strung together with the same janky and unsatisfying parkour that at times gets so ridiculous that it actually robs from the game.”
    • “Honestly though, this became so tedious to play.”
  • character development23 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising the depth and connections between characters, while others criticize the lack of growth and emotional engagement, particularly outside the main character. Many reviews highlight strong voice acting and stunning visuals, but some express disappointment over insufficient character exploration and plot holes. Overall, while there are moments of effective character development, it often feels inconsistent or overshadowed by other gameplay elements.

    • “The character development, plotline, and presentation are all stellar.”
    • “I liked the character development, and the well-written connections between the characters that added depth to the narrative.”
    • “With its strong character development and deeply unsettling atmosphere, Still Wakes the Deep is a must-play for fans of horror and narrative-driven games!”
    • “There’s not any real character development, as too much of the player character’s backstory is exposed in the beginning, but this is more survival focused with elements of a backstory rather than a genuine emotional journey.”
    • “Overall, it's a beautiful game with a great set design, amazing sound design, amazing voice acting, bland gameplay mechanics, no real puzzles or any challenges but an interesting little horror story lacking character development outside of the main character.”
    • “There wasn't really a strong enough story, character development or interaction is non-existent, and a distinct lack of any real challenges to make it exciting.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization of the game is praised for its integrity, as players appreciate that it reflects a clear vision rather than resorting to exploitative cash grab tactics.

    • “The monetization model feels exploitative, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
    • “I was disappointed to see so many paywalls that hindered my progress and enjoyment.”
    • “It seems like the developers prioritized profit over player experience, which really detracts from the overall fun.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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Play time

5hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
4-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 51 analyzed playthroughs

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