If you’re a fan of horror games, “SOMA” is one that you need to be playing right now. This sci-fi horror has players exploring a nightmarish underwater complex that has an unnerving atmosphere. From its oppressive environments to its disturbing creatures, there’s an ever-present feeling of dread that makes “SOMA” a horror classic. In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at why the game’s atmosphere is so unsettling. So, prepare yourself — it’s about to get scary.
1. What is ‘SOMA’?
SOMA is a sci-fi survival horror video game developed and published by Frictional Games. The game takes place in a research facility, PATHOS-II, located beneath the ocean, filled with robots and artificial creatures. The player, Simon Jarrett, is escaping the sobriety of reality and entering a world of confusion and horrifying discoveries.
The Storyline
SOMA follows the story of Simon Jarrett, a man who lost hisshort-term memory due to a car accident. After losing his memory, he agrees to a brain scan that transports him to a terrifying world beneath the ocean, living a life of twisted experiments and unimaginable secrets. With no options left, and no idea of the end goal, Simon must find his way out of the research facility, while enduring the constant fear of the unknown.
The Unnerving Atmosphere
The game is designed to be unsettling and unnerving, drawing uponabstract horror concepts from Lovecraftian, cosmic horror, and posthuman themes. Players encounter eldritch creatures and robots with human-like personalities, while searching for clues that will help them survive and ultimately find a solution to the mystery behind PATHOS-II. The atmosphere is designed to make the player come face-to-face with their biggest fears, while also forging a strong bond with Simon, as the storyline is largely based on survival and moral dilemmas. There are no easy solutions but the journey towards discovering a way out of the labyrinthine underwater bunker is thrilling and unforgettable.
The Features
- Explore a twisted underwater research facility with a horrifying atmosphere.
- Fear-inducing puzzles that will make you question the boundaries of ethics.
- Stunning lighting and graphics that bring the creepy paths of PATHOS-II to life.
- A unique, chilling narrative that combines cosmic horror with robotics.
2. Exploring the Unnerving Atmosphere of “SOMA”
The game SOMA is an unsettling experience, full of mystery and dread. The atmosphere is a major factor in making the game so effective, helping to create a world in which player’s emotions and decisions are constantly in flux.
The game is set in an underwater machine-run future, and is full of creepy imagery that will make you think twice before walking into a room. The machines are often menacing and can react with unpredictable and unsettling behavior, making the environment even more uneasy.
The soundtrack plays a huge role in creating the unnerving atmosphere. The music is consistently creepy and unsettling, oftentimes with a limited range and just a few notes that make your nerves tingle. It leaves you feeling uneasy and uneasy at all times, constantly reminding you of the looming danger.
The sound design also plays a major part in the atmosphere, with minor noises such as humming, dripping water, or a distant bell ringing. These create a tense atmosphere, making you question what is around the corner.
The lighting within the game also plays an important role. The darkness and moody lighting give way to a feeling of hopelessness and loneliness, making you question your decisions and fear the unknown. This makes the player feel uneasy and on-edge, always looking ahead for what might be lurking in the dark.
The game’s use of sharp and quick cut scenes, flashbacks, and visuals also reinforce the game’s unnerving atmosphere. These cutscenes create a feeling of dread, and make you feel uneasy and uncertain about what dangers may be ahead.
All these elements often work together to create a uniquely creepy atmosphere, one that makes SOMA one of the most unnerving and memorable horror game experiences of all time.
3. The Environmental Atmosphere of “SOMA”
When you enter ”SOMA” you can feel it in the air, the idea that something is not quite right. It’s a place like no other, filled with mystery and awe, yet strangely unnerving. Here’s what gives “SOMA” its eerie atmosphere:
- The Architecture. The architecture of ”SOMA” is a mix of old and new, with stunningly detailed landmarks and twisted modern structures. It gives the place a sense of unknown and hidden secrets.
- The Darkness. The city is mostly in shades of black, yellow, and grey. This adds to the overall secretive and foreboding ambience of “SOMA”.
- The People. The locals of “SOMA” have an unmistakable air about them; almost as if they know something you don’t. Mysterious and enigmatic, the people give the place its haunting feel.
In conclusion, the atmosphere of “SOMA” is a blend of the architecture, darkness, and people – a compelling combination that adds to the eeriness of this mysterious place.
4. Contributing Factors to the Unnerving Atmosphere of ”SOMA”
- Suspenseful Soundscape: SOMA utilizes a soundscape of ambient noises and occasional distorted music to create a disconcerting atmosphere. The effect allows the player to feel unnerved without overwhelming them with too much sound. There’s even a sense that something is always lurking around the corner.
- Pervasive Darkness: The game predominantly takes place in large and dark underwater environments. This stifling darkness evokes feelings of unease and only emphasizes how alone the player’s character is. The sense of isolation is further propelled when the player has to venture out into the unknown of this deep and hostile place.
- Tension-Inducing Narrative: SOMA relies on a creative narrative filled with unsolvable ethical dilemmas that locomote the player ever closer to an all-encompassing anxiety. There are also entire levels that revolve around the player character escaping a crazed AI-controlled robot, further escalating a sense of dread.
- Horror-Invoking Visuals: The stark contrast of SOMA’s visuals with its otherwise serene oceanic environment helps to evoke the sense of unrest the game is going for. Everything, from the desolation of its abandoned research facility to the mangled cybernetically modified corpses, lends itself to making the game atmosphere unbearably ghoulish.
5. Concluding Thoughts on the Unsettling Atmosphere of “SOMA
To conclude this article on the unsettling atmosphere of SOMA, it’s worth noting some key points:
- Nostalgia: The game masterfully blends nostalgia with its unsettling world, blurring the line between safety and danger.
- Sound Design: The sound design plays an important role in creating a tense atmosphere, with an emphasis on off-kilter tones and careful placement of sound effects.
- Organic Environments: The game’s organic environments help to further amplify the unnerving atmosphere. From the abandoned labs to the strange underwater structures, they’re filled with subtle details to make you feel uneasy.
As you can see, the atmosphere of SOMA is cleverly crafted to make the player feel a sense of unease. And while it may not be a horror game in the traditional sense, it still succeeds in creating a feeling of dread and tension – something that’s sure to stay with you long after the credits roll.
In conclusion, SOMA is an unnerving game that demonstrates the horror of what awaits us if artificial intelligence is not handled carefully. Players can expect a memorable experience with elements of science fiction, horror, and thrilling puzzles that will provide many hours of entertainment.