Board 8 > Wow, SOMA is a very good game *full spoilers*

(+) Yeah! (+)

The ending though, jeez. That's gonna be sticking around in my head for some time. I wish we'd gotten a bit more with Earth Simon at the end to soften the blow a lil, and did they really have to kill Catherine too? Talk about horror!

Some B8ers had recommended this to me when I was deciding on Game Pass games to play but I'm still surprised how great its writing is. Terrific performances, atmosphere, and worldbuilding, the only parts that let the game down a lil IMO are the monster sequences. They're fine, and maybe this is just me being a wuss, but sometimes I felt they dragged the pace down and didn't mesh so well with the story that was being told. Especially how we killed WAU at site Alpha, that didn't work for me. But everything else, wow, maybe I've had my head in the sand but I've barely heard anyone mention this game before and I've no idea why!

I'm eager to hear all your opinions on this game if you have any. Also are there other games in this same vein you'd recommend? The Amnesia series is by the same devs, is that worth a shot if I liked the writing here but not so much the stealth/monster stuff?

SOMA is so good. I like the concept of it more than Amnesia, but it gets discussed maybe half as much. What an underrated gem!

I loved SOMA. I typically shy away from the horror genre in general, and I legitimately can't remember why I decided to give it a shot, but I'm really glad I did. Easy 9/10 game.

And yeah, the ending is definitely the most memorable part of it to me. Though I kinda wish they hadn't copped out and had the post-credits sequence. Let that lesson truly sink in for Simon.

Awesome! I've been a big proponent of this game ever since it came out, absolutely love the story and themes it presents. The monster sections are probably the weakest part yea partly because of how strong the rest of the game is, but I didn't mind them too much. I always try to talk the game up whenever it's mentioned around.

As for Frictional's other games, as someone that's played them all except for the newest Amnesia that came out earlier this yea I'd say SOMA still stands as my favorite. The rest are definitely worth playing, but the stealth/monster stuff is still gonna be present so your mileage may vary. Amnesia The Dark Descent is probably the next one to go for if you had to pick one, it started the specific horror trend for a good reason.

SOMA's story is amazing indeed and I agree about the monster parts. They DRAG so much. Nearly ruin the game for me tbh.

You should actually play Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs. The stealth isn't as prevalent and the narrative is underrated. It's actually by a different development team.

Ah good, I'm glad this game hit other people too. I'll be spreading the word from this point on! Are the Amnesia games all completely separate from each other then?

MrSmartGuy posted...

Though I kinda wish they hadn't copped out and had the post-credits sequence. Let that lesson truly sink in for Simon.

If anything I think the post-credits kinda makes the ending land harder. All I was thinking about during the epilogue was Simon down at the cannon. (Great touch having the survey there again, too)

andylt posted...

Ah good, I'm glad this game hit other people too. I'll be spreading the word from this point on! Are the Amnesia games all completely separate from each other then?

No, they're all interconnected but very lightly.

I can't play the Amnesia series because they're too good at forcing you to be scared (you can't pace yourself like other horror games). But they are super good if you like that.

That said if you like Soma, you should play 999. Don't read anything about it or the series. I recommend the original on DS (on emulator if necessary) because the remasters seem to change some stuff that imo would cheapen the story, but I dunno, maybe they're fine.

foolm0r0n posted...

That said if you like Soma, you should play 999. Don't read anything about it or the series. I recommend the original on DS (on emulator if necessary) because the remasters seem to change some stuff that imo would cheapen the story, but I dunno, maybe they're fine.

I've played 999! And VLR, both good games. I've bought ZTD but it's on the backburner for now.

Amazing story, awful game.

I hated every second I spent playing SOMA, but the story, atmosphere, and philosophy are incredible.

andylt posted...

If anything I think the post-credits kinda makes the ending land harder. All I was thinking about during the epilogue was Simon down at the cannon. (Great touch having the survey there again, too)

Yeah the 'happy' epilogue was horrifying

Soma is one of the few games that really stick with you after playing it.

I made the mistake of watching Two Best Friends play it back when it came out, so I didnt know how good it was. Still, despite experiencing it second hand, I could tell how amazing a game it is, if frustrating at points.

Always interesting to see how people differ on their opinion of the WAU and whether to kill it or not.

Everything in SOMA should die and I would consider it a mercy.

I enjoyed it

Nier Automata is also a good follow up to this story

JackMan posted...

Always interesting to see how people differ on their opinion of the WAU and whether to kill it or not.

I actually didnt know it was optional, whoops! I wouldve left it alive if Id thought about it, it was improving its learning and getting better at sustaining life as it went, and as things stand its the closest thing to a continuation of humanity on earth.

I dont think theres any wrong answer in any of the choice deaths though, except maybe not euthanising whatsherface who requests it. I spent a while deciding whether to kill diving suit Simon and couldnt bring myself to do it, but it didnt feel good leaving him there. But hey, maybe the two Simons could meet up now and provide some sort of solace to each other!

I went to put my timings on howlongtobeat and it asked me to verify I was human :|