π’ BUT WHAT IS REAL SIMON? π’
Who's Simon? π³
Our horror marathon continues with one of the most unique games and experiences I've ever had. π "Was it good?" Weeelllll... yes. I'm being coy but yes. But the question still stands, and we're here to analyze said question to the max.
Regardless of how you feel about SOMA, it's a game worth talking about. Its themes are timeless. And I feel like this game will age very well, as it already has.
ThereforeβοΈ In this edition of Through the Lens π, we'll be taking a look at Frictional Games under-water, survival horror existentionalist game from 2015: SOMA, βοΈ
(SOMA is a real-life term btw, look it up!)
Roll it! π½
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π· UP TOP πΆ
The soundtrack is pretty unique, and I would listen to it while working or doing something tedious. Because honestly, it's pretty dull. π Not bad, mind you, but I feel like they didn't experiment nearly as much as they could. With the themes present they could've gone balls to the wall with the soundtrack. π€·ββοΈ As it stands, it's kinda just there.
I played SOMA on release night. Yes. Night. I was so hyped about it that I waited up at my friend's house for it to become available. Then we finished it in one run - until dawn came 6, 7 hours later. Was it worth it? For sure. Was it everything I expected and more? Not in the slightest.
You see, for many people, SOMA was supposed to be a return to form, i.e. the next Amnesia The Dark Descent. But developers are creatives, and many of them want to stretch their creative wings. SOMA was no different, as the game we got was less horror and more philosophical sci-fi.
Nothing wrong with that, it's just the burden of expectations. π
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π· SIMON πΆ
Our main character is as bland as they come, both in his name and in his manner of being. He serves as the perfect vessel for a story wrought with the meaning of life and existence.
So much of this story is about our protagonist. From what he looks like to who he actually is. Remember, this is a first-person perspective game. For it to link so strongly to its protagonist whom we almost never see, is something to be applauded. π
Simon is at the core of everything. He drives the plot and the story is seen through his inexperience. In early development, this game was supposed to be a lot more involved than it turned out. Frictional poured their heart, soul, and funding into this game. So much so, that they have yet to recover from its lackluster reception.
It wasn't bad, mind you. But they were expecting a mega-hit. I don't know why, when their plot is more befitting an anime than mainstream gaming audiences. And that leads to our next point.
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π· WRONG MEDIUM πΆ
Let me just say this: the story in SOMA is phenomenal. π― No ifs, buts or maybes. It is one of the best stories I have ever experienced, not just in games - ever.
However, is it a good game? I think we can all agree - yes. But it's more of an experience than anything else. It's a lot more a walking simulator than anything else. Like an interactive movie.
The game has puzzles, and it has agency. And those tasks you have to perform are both disturbing and fulfilling. However, they are fulfilling in your imagination, as there are no real gameplay changes, as such the feeling of the walking simulator prevails.
There are topics and themes in this game that would put any sci-fi author to shame. It's also presented in such a way that it makes the player think about their actions. None of this truly matters, however, because the game isn't scary enough.
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π· HORROR πΆ
Everyone was expecting the next Amnesia, what they got was not what they thought. SOMA in many ways is head and shoulder above anything seen in Amnesia. It's just less in your face. For those of us with a vast imagination, it is very frightening indeed.
Most people were very disappointed in the title. There is a lot of tedium in SOMA. It is by no means a game without boredom. And when you aren't afraid, that makes the boredom even more egregious.
As such the game sold rather poorly, but has gained more and more of an audience as the years passed. I remember it being around the high 70% on Steam reviews when it first came out. Now, it's at 95%. Demonstrating the staying power of the cult material.
What is consciousness? SOMA is bold enough to ask that question without flinching. As such it needs to be commended for it. Not only for its bravery to ask that question but for the bravery to answer it in a satisfactory way.
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π· LEGACY πΆ
SOMA is Frictional's biggest title. For me, it holds a special place in my heart. As it encompasses a lot of the writing I strive to achieve in my own work. As a game, it's very hit or miss. This story lends itself more as a Visual Novel than anything else. But at the same time, there are set pieces that are done incredibly well using the first-person perspective. So I dunno.
Time has been good to SOMA. I feel it will continue to do so. There are few games like it on the market. And few experiences still. I think It's Legacy will outshine its initial irritation with the title. And its themes and deep topics will only get more explored as time passes.
You should play it if you haven't. It's not that big, and it might just change your life. π
Thank you for reading, you rock! (and maybe roll) πππ
Shout-out to the πPIZZAπ gang, π€ gang. π€
We are done with Frictional for now. And I think our horror marathon will go on hiatus. I recently replayed Elden Ring and want to talk about it again. And have been neck-deep into Starfield, so will probably write a review on that as well. That will probably be my next article.
Until then, I hope you're all well!
π Follow me on my HIVE blog π
I hope you are having an amazing start to your week! π
Return from SOMA π½ Through the Lens to ΠΠΎΡΠΊΠΎ's Web3 Blog
