Still Wakes the Deep

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.

83%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

replayability, stability

90% User Score Based on 7,019 reviews

Critic Score 77%Based on 28 reviews

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About

Still Wakes the Deep is a single player action adventure game with horror, fantasy and science fiction themes. It was developed by The Chinese Room and was released on June 18, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Discover Still Wakes the Deep at the official PlayStation website. Watch trailers, see screenshots, learn about gameplay features and purchase the game.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+10

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90%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,019 reviews

story1.9k positive mentions

replayability29 negative mentions

The game features stunning, realistic graphics and exceptional environmental detail, especially the oil rig setting, which adds to its immersive and tense atmosphere.
Voice acting is outstanding with authentic Scottish accents, making characters feel real and enhancing the emotional impact of the story.
The story and atmosphere deliver a powerful Lovecraftian horror experience inspired by works like 'The Thing' and 'Color Out of Space', with a strong narrative that emotionally engages players throughout its relatively short duration.

Gameplay is very linear, simple, and repetitive, mostly consisting of walking, climbing, quick-time events, and stealth segments with predictable enemy encounters that lack challenge or depth.
The game suffers from poor optimization and technical issues on various platforms, including frame rate drops, bugs, and clunky controls, especially during climbing and underwater sequences.
Many players found the game too short for its full price, with minimal replay value and lacking exploration, meaningful choices, or deeper story development of characters beyond brief interactions.

story
3,875 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
47%
3%
The story of "Still Wakes the Deep" is widely praised for its emotional depth, compelling characters, authentic Scottish setting, and well-executed lovecraftian and psychological horror themes. Although it follows a somewhat linear and familiar horror narrative reminiscent of "The Thing," its strong voice acting, immersive atmosphere, and human drama keep players deeply engaged and emotionally invested. Some critiques mention the story’s brevity and predictability, but overall it provides a memorable, tightly paced narrative experience that resonates with fans of story-rich horror games.
- “Absolutely incredible story, get this on sale, about 5-6 hours to complete on the standard difficulty for me, genuinely a great game, wish it was longer, 9/10.”
- “The story is well paced and measured, giving enough ambiguity about the situation, whilst not leaving parts of the story arc unanswered.”
- “It's a psychological horror story about people stuck on an oil rig where some really bad things are happening.”
- “The story also gets really uncanny as you just feel hopeless throughout the whole game.”
- “The story is hugely depressing, with no sense of closure, accomplishment, redemption, or a good ending.”
- “Bought it on sale, still felt like a waste of money: boring trash, uninteresting story "horror" game as a walking sim on an oil rig with an extremely unfulfilling ending to top it all off.”
gameplay
1,466 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
68%
11%
The gameplay in "Still Wakes the Deep" is generally described as simple, linear, and minimalist, resembling a walking simulator with basic stealth and quick-time events. While some find the mechanics clunky or repetitive, the gameplay effectively supports the intense atmosphere and narrative focus, offering enough tension and immersion for fans of story-driven horror. However, it may disappoint those seeking complex mechanics, deep interactivity, or longer replayability.
- “Still wakes the deep is an excellent linear body horror story, with tense mechanics, and believable, grounded characters, and a main character arc that resolves well.”
- “Still wakes the deep stands out as a triumph in horror games, blending thrilling gameplay with a unique, inspired, and haunting atmosphere, with a compelling story and characters to boot.”
- “The gameplay is fairly simple and pretty much what you’d expect from the genre: some stealth sections, some chase sequences, relatively simple jump-and-run segments with quick-time events, and lots of interacting with mechanical parts.”
- “The game either should be much cheaper, or they should've put in mechanics to at least create the illusion of choice and different outcomes (or actually provide multiple endings).”
- “Between the godawful QTE-ridden climbing and button-pushing sequences that feel like filler even in a game only a few hours long, and the forced, scripted stealth maze-vs-corridor sprint in lieu of either genuine stealth-based gameplay with real AI agents, or any form of combat or resisting the antagonistic forces, it feels like good narrative design and creative direction were absolutely ruined by designers who couldn't decide whether to copy Alien Isolation, Dead by Daylight, or Outlast – or continue the bland horror structure of the Amnesia series they previously worked on – and ultimately created an ultra-lightweight, janky, poorly Animated mess, so simple and repetitive that any fear or tension the game could have generated is outweighed by the mild irritation and growing boredom of repeating very mundane tasks very slowly, with occasional checkpoint restarts if you miss a jump or fail to pay attention to a QTE prompt.”
- “The voice actors are doing their best with what they have but the dialogue is cheesy and tired, story is by-the-numbers stuff, characters rote and shallow, movement mechanics frustratingly slow and clunky, AI is a bit buggy and the distraction & throw mechanics frequently don't work, nothing you do as a player matters, very linear, arbitrary roadblocks everywhere, no real point to looking around or exploring.”
graphics
1,387 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
32%
1%
The game is widely praised for its stunning, often photorealistic graphics that create an immersive and atmospheric experience, particularly capturing the detailed and claustrophobic setting of a 1970s North Sea oil rig. Visuals, including lighting, water effects, and creature designs, are noted as some of the best in horror games, enhanced by high-quality voice acting and sound design. However, some players report performance issues and optimization problems, with demanding hardware requirements limiting smooth gameplay on lower-end systems.
- “The visuals on this game are almost photo-realistic at times, especially with the lighting design.”
- “Still Wakes the Deep delivers a gripping horror experience on a 1970s Scottish oil rig, with stellar voice acting, authentic dialogue, and a haunting atmosphere powered by Unreal Engine 5's stunning visuals.”
- “The graphics are top-notch, with the rig structure probably as close to reality as possible, and the Chinese Room takes care of the story and emotional factor, making it very easy to immerse yourself in the events.”
- “Absolutely trash graphical/hardware performance (especially for a casual gamer like myself).”
- “I have a RTX 3050, 16GB RAM, i5 12th gen CPU and a fast SSD, still can't go past 50 FPS in the interior parts, with graphics almost on minimum, and resolution slightly above HD.”
- “No optimization at all, runs twice worse than Cyberpunk, while having mediocre graphics.”
atmosphere
1,133 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
31%
1%
Still Wakes the Deep is widely praised for its exceptionally immersive and dense atmosphere, effectively capturing the claustrophobic tension of a 1970s Scottish oil rig amid a terrifying cosmic horror scenario. The game combines stunning visuals, authentic voice acting, and meticulous sound design to create a haunting, oppressive mood that is often compared favorably to classics like "The Thing," "Soma," and "Alien: Isolation." While it relies heavily on atmospheric storytelling over gameplay complexity, its unique setting and masterful mood-building make it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven, atmospheric horror experiences.
- “The atmosphere is incredible; it's terrifying while maintaining a creeping feeling of claustrophobia and impending disaster.”
- “Still wakes the deep is a masterclass in atmospheric horror that delivers a tense, memorable, and emotionally gripping experience.”
- “The atmosphere, voice acting, and music are absolutely stunning.”
- “The atmosphere on that drill station is captured so well!”
- “The atmosphere of the sea platform fades quickly, with most of the gameplay reduced to walking through dark, dull, corridor-like spaces.”
- “The platforming levels completely took the otherwise dense atmosphere away.”
emotional
392 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The game delivers a deeply emotional and haunting narrative, combining intense horror with heartfelt storytelling that resonates strongly with players. Exceptional voice acting and authentic character interactions elevate the emotional impact, leading many to describe it as a tear-inducing and unforgettable experience. While some found character development and pacing lacking, most agree the story’s emotional weight, atmosphere, and moments of vulnerability make it a standout horror journey.
- “The voice acting, sound design, music, characters, everything comes together to make one of the most memorable and heart-wrenching stories I've ever had the privilege of playing.”
- “Story is absolutely incredible and the performances completely nail it; the emotional moments hit unbelievably well and the characters are brought to life beautifully. The story is a wonderful narrative and an emotional gut punch in all the right ways, with fantastic horror and mediocre gameplay.”
- “Still Wakes the Deep is a masterclass in atmospheric horror that delivers a tense, memorable, and emotionally gripping experience.”
- “Lame, boring story.”
- “One of the worst horror games out there; wasn't jumped once. Boring story, janky controls.”
- “Boring story that made zero sense.”
optimization
295 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
48%
19%
Optimization for the game is widely criticized, with many users reporting poor performance, frequent stuttering, low and inconsistent frame rates, and instability—even on high-end hardware. While some found that tweaking graphics settings and using upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR improved playability, the overall consensus is that the game is underoptimized, suffering from common Unreal Engine 5 issues such as heavy resource demands and lighting inefficiencies. Despite excellent visuals and outstanding voice acting, these performance drawbacks significantly detract from the experience for many players.
- “Graphics are excellent, gameplay is well optimized and the story makes you want to keep playing.”
- “Performance: 8.5/10 – runs well and looks great.”
- “I took a while to find the best configuration of graphics for my mid-tier PC, and now I'm seeing good enough visuals and good enough performance.”
- “Horribly optimized, massive FPS drops going under 60 sometimes with a high-end PC (9070 XT). It's not unplayable but it is noticeable.”
- “So poorly optimized I get 12 FPS on lowest settings :/”
- “Horrible optimization.”
music
253 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
44%
2%
The music in the game is widely praised for its haunting, atmospheric quality that perfectly complements the horror setting without overwhelming the experience. Composed by Jason Graves, the soundtrack is noted for its emotional depth, fitting the narrative's moods and enhancing tension through subtle, well-timed cues. While some find the music sparse or less memorable, the consensus is that it significantly elevates the atmosphere, pairing excellently with sound design and voice acting to create a deeply immersive and emotionally resonant experience.
- “Paired with incredible sound design, beautiful visuals, and a remarkable soundtrack, it is 100% worth 6 hours of your time.”
- “Bone chilling soundtrack by Jason Graves creates a mysterious and terrifying atmosphere throughout the entire journey; I didn't expect less from someone who made music for Dead Space, immediately liked the playlist on Spotify.”
- “The music deserves its own shout-out — phenomenal work that heightens the sense of dread and emotion without ever being overbearing.”
- “Soundtrack isn't too exciting, but very clear cut for the horror genre.”
- “The music was apropos, though I won't be humming it to myself going forward.”
- “- Pretentious sad music that's trying hard to make you feel sad and as a result takes you out of certain moments.”
replayability
115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
65%
25%
The game is generally regarded as having low to no replayability due to its short, linear narrative and lack of alternative endings or varied gameplay paths. Replay value mainly comes from achievement hunting or revisiting the atmosphere and story, but for many, this is insufficient to justify full price. Overall, it is best enjoyed as a one-time experience, ideally purchased on sale given its limited content and replay appeal.
- “Other than that, a very enjoyable indie horror with tons of hidden achievements, giving great replayability.”
- “Procedural generation ensures that no two journeys are identical, offering a strong replayability factor.”
- “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).”
- “There is no replay value - you can't change how to approach challenges, enemies, neither who to save or let die.”
- “The game is very linear which removes most of the replay value.”
- “I'd be hesitant to recommend this game at full price since it's incredibly linear and can be completed in under 5 hours (and there's no replay value unless you're achievement hunting).”
humor
104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is widely praised for its authentic and hilarious use of Scottish dialect and colorful slang, which enhances character relatability and provides frequent comedic relief amid tense horror moments. Players particularly enjoy the protagonist's witty, often profane reactions and the amusing NPC banter, which blend seamlessly with the narrative without undermining the atmosphere. Overall, the humor is seen as a refreshing, integral aspect that balances horror and emotional depth, delivering laughs ranging from subtle wit to outright absurdity.
- “The story, the accents, the concept itself, the characters are set up so quickly yet so amazingly and the way you can hear the emotion in Caz as he goes through everything, it's so unbelievably human the way the voice actors managed to perfectly capture the essence of his distress both in the way he uses cursing and attempts to use humor to continue on.”
- “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 - and the dialogue in more serious moments can be quite moving.”
- “I was taken away by the immersive feel of the game, the incredibly funny dialogues and speech, love it how the game translates a lot of phrases and slang from Scottish dialect.”
stability
104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
88%
The game generally runs well with impressive visuals and audio, but stability issues such as bugs, glitches, soft locks, and occasional crashes are common and can disrupt the experience. While most problems are not game-breaking and checkpoints are generous, certain areas—especially controls, movement, and specific encounters—are notably buggy and in need of optimization or fixes. Overall, the game's technical polish is mixed, with some players experiencing a largely smooth playthrough and others encountering significant bugs.
- “The game runs great on Unreal 5 and looks fantastic.”
- “On a 5600 and 12GB 3080, it runs great at 3440x1440 with a mix of high and epic settings, hitting high 80s to 90s FPS with only very infrequent drops below 60.”
- “Looks great, runs great (even at 5160x2160 DLAA + FG) and the immersion from the audio and script is really excellent.”
- “Another thing that really bothered me was how absolutely buggy the controls and movement were.”
- “The screen freezes every single time and I'm not able to progress the story!”
- “Tried that area like 10 times, it freezes the screen every single time!”
grinding
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
13%
82%
Grinding in the game is often described as tedious and repetitive, with many players finding stealth, climbing, and platforming sections slow and monotonous. Although some appreciate the gameplay's pacing and atmosphere, others feel the repeated tasks and backtracking make progression frustrating and dull. Overall, grinding tends to detract from the experience, especially for those seeking more interactive or varied gameplay.
- “Games like this usually make me anxious, but avoiding enemies isn't tedious and you can often distract the enemies to distance them from you.”
- “If you die, you will restart before the chase begins, so it's not tedious if you struggle.”
- “Hide-and-seek encounters and chase scenes are thankfully not tedious, something I can't really say about other horror walking simulators.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You basically walk around the oil rig tediously climbing up and down ladders flipping switches, answering phones listening to dudes screaming about being trapped while running from a blob monster, over and over.”
- “Monotonous, tedious, and the story gets buried under your own feeling of boredom.”
character development
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
34%
29%
Reviews on character development are mixed: some praise the game for believable, well-written character design, memorable quirks, and strong emotional connections, particularly highlighting the main character Caz. However, many users criticize the lack of meaningful progression or depth beyond initial backstory, with minimal development for supporting characters and missed opportunities for richer narrative engagement. Overall, character development is appreciated in parts but often seen as limited or insufficient for a fully immersive experience.
- “Very well-made character development, Caz is so... good.”
- “The character development, plotline, and presentation are all stellar.”
- “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 was no character development, no payoff to the mechanic of collecting evidence, just a-to-b with tremendous atmosphere but no substance.”
- “The game gives you little to no character development for anyone on board the oil rig and gives you more backstory about your character's wife and his personal life than anything else, and even that information is barely anything.”
- “Plot holes left and right, puzzle after puzzle, poor character development as I didn't really get to know anyone fully and thus didn't feel any attachment to them.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users appreciate that the game’s monetization feels genuine and thoughtfully integrated, avoiding the typical "cash grab" approach. The in-game details and character interactions enhance immersion rather than pushing aggressive microtransactions. Overall, the monetization is seen as tasteful and supportive of the game's vision.

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77%Critics’ scoreBased on 28 critic reviews

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5h Median play time

6h Average play time

4-6h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 80 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Still Wakes the Deep is a action adventure game with horror, fantasy and science fiction themes.

Still Wakes the Deep is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 6 hours playing Still Wakes the Deep.

Still Wakes the Deep was released on June 18, 2024.

Still Wakes the Deep was developed by The Chinese Room.

Still Wakes the Deep has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its replayability.

Still Wakes the Deep is a single player game.

Similar games include Moons of Madness, ROUTINE, The Medium, SOMA, The Shore and others.

Still Wakes the Deep

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