SOMA is an exceptional game, and if you haven't played it, you're genuinely missing out on one of the most underrated gems of the 2010s. I'm honestly a little ashamed it took me this long to get to it, but if anything, it feels more relevant now than ever. Frictional Games managed to create something so thought-provoking and ahead of its time that it's genuinely inspiring. The closest comparisons that come to mind are BioShock and Half-Life in terms of sci-fi world-building — though SOMA strips away the combat in favor of a more contemplative, puzzle-driven experience.
Atmospherically, this game is gorgeous to inhabit. The more context you gather about what's actually happening, the more the world-building clicks into place. Audio logs and readable materials are an absolute must if you want the full experience — don't skip them. From the black ooze seeping out of the walls, to robots wandering the corridors speaking incoherently, to the often claustrophobic spaces with minimal lighting, Frictional Games crafted something truly special here. As my first experience with their work, I couldn't have been more enthralled. One aspect I don't think gets brought up enough is the sound design, which I'd put on par with the original Dead Space. The lengths the studio went to in building such a richly layered audio environment are genuinely fascinating — worth reading about if you're curious.
What's also worth highlighting is how much SOMA trusts its players. Hints are available but disabled by default, which is absolutely the preferred way to experience it. I never felt truly stuck on any of the puzzles — what usually happened was simply not spotting the obvious solution immediately, but taking a moment to think things through logically always got me there. That, to me, is the mark of a skillful studio that respects its audience. The puzzles are self-explanatory once you start engaging with them, and everything you need to find a solution is almost always within the room you're already in — no excessive backtracking required.
Then there's the story and lore, which is where SOMA genuinely earns its place among the greats. This game is ahead of the curve in ways that feel increasingly relevant to where humanity may actually be headed. As you progress, you'll be confronted with questions that don't leave you once the credits roll. The bigger philosophical ideas being wrestled with are, frankly, the most important thing about the game. Even after finishing, I found myself going down rabbit holes — watching explanation videos, reading about the ideas behind SOMA — because the world it builds is that compelling.
What more can I say that hasn't already been said? I've been recommending this to every friend who will listen. It's what I'd consider a near-perfect game, even accounting for the walking simulator pacing that some reviews take issue with — a criticism I'd partially agree with, but one that only really applies to a small portion of its 8-9 hour runtime. It goes on sale regularly for under $10, and at that price there is simply no excuse. Do yourself a favor and play it. All I have left to say is — WAU……
100/100
