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SOMA is 95% off
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this post was submitted on 10 Dec 2024
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I can't really figure out whether this is a game for me...
I can't handle horror...
That being said some of my all time favorite games had horror elements in them, games like Subnautica, Outer Wilds and Half-life 2.
So where on the horror scale does this rank? I heard there's a "safe" mode where the monsters won't hunt you, but does that actually reduce the horror? Or just cheapen the experience?
I personally don't think the monsters add much to the game. While I haven't tried it, the "safe" mode seems like a fine way to play it. There is some atmospheric horror similar to Subnautica's, too.
That said, SOMA is Existential Horror: The Game, and removing the monsters isn't going to change that. So I'd tread carefully if you can't handle horror.
I believe SOMA is less horror-y and generally more approachable than the other frictional games. It may be because it's a scifi story, like the other games you mentioned enjoying.
I used to hate horror games, but I realized I actually just hated bad horror games. SOMA is a good horror game. It has a compelling story, fantastic atmosphere and sound design, and the frictional games devs are great at balancing the suspenseful moments with more relaxed thoughtful moments. All of this makes getting through a stressful or scary bit of the game more worthwhile.
Like Ashtear said, the safe mode prevents the monsters in the few areas they patrol from 'getting' you, which I would say somewhat gets rid of some of the suspense. However, after you've been caught once and have to reload a checkpoint, they just become an annoyance so I wouldn't blame anyone for turning safe mode on.