A Decade of Existential Dread
SOMA, Frictional Games’ underwater science fiction horror masterpiece, celebrated its 10th anniversary in September 2025 with retrospective reviews, a physical collector’s edition, and even an ARG hidden within the game’s files. The consensus remains remarkably consistent with 2015’s original reception – SOMA stands as one of gaming’s most philosophically profound experiences, exploring consciousness, identity, and what it means to be human with sophistication rarely achieved in interactive media. However, critics also continue noting that the survival horror monster encounters feel like unnecessary concessions to genre expectations, distracting from the far more effective existential terror at the story’s core.
Multiple retrospectives emphasize how SOMA’s narrative impact relies on experiencing it completely blind. The game’s twist revelations and gradual unfolding of uncomfortable truths work best when players discover them organically rather than having plot points spoiled beforehand. This review will maintain that tradition, discussing themes and mechanical elements without revealing specific story beats. What can be said is that protagonist Simon Jarrett’s journey from a 2015 Toronto apartment to a derelict underwater research facility contains one of gaming’s most memorable narrative arcs, forcing players to confront questions about personhood that linger long after credits roll.
The Story That Defines the Experience
Every retrospective review agrees that SOMA’s story represents Frictional’s finest narrative work. Unlike the archetypal silent protagonists of horror games, Simon Jarrett is fully voiced, sympathetic, and complex. His wants and desires evolve logically as he discovers more about his situation, creating genuine character development rarely seen in the genre. The supporting cast, particularly Catherine Chun, feels equally fleshed out through natural dialogue and believable interactions.
The narrative explores heavy philosophical territory – the nature of consciousness, continuity of identity, digital immortality, and what separates a person from a copy of that person. These aren’t academic thought experiments presented in cutscenes; they’re moral dilemmas players must actively engage with through gameplay choices. SOMA forces you to make decisions about these questions and then live with the consequences, creating discomfort that purely passive media cannot replicate.
Way Too Many Games’ retrospective notes: “SOMA is what made me believe that games are the best medium for ethical dilemmas. You can read a novel, or watch a movie, or suffer a dense philosophical text, but nothing compares to the weight of making those choices yourself and seeing their immediate impact.” This interactive dimension elevates SOMA above similar science fiction explorations in other media.
Where Gameplay Meets Philosophy
SOMA’s mechanical design supports its themes through interactivity that grounds players in the environment. You manually open doors by sliding them, pull levers until they clunk satisfyingly into place, and interact with retro-futuristic computers that whir to life with tactile feedback. This physicality makes the facility feel real and inhabited, enhancing immersion beyond what passive observation could achieve.
Puzzles integrate seamlessly with narrative progression rather than feeling like arbitrary roadblocks. Most involve manipulating machinery and technology in ways that advance the story while requiring environmental understanding. You’re not solving abstract logic puzzles disconnected from context; you’re operating equipment that serves plot purposes, making gameplay and narrative feel cohesive.
Environmental storytelling delivers substantial worldbuilding. Corpses can be examined to reveal their final moments through brief flashback sequences. Notes and computer logs scattered throughout the facility paint pictures of lives interrupted by catastrophe. These details create a sense that PATHOS-II was once bustling and full of hope before everything went wrong. The Nocturnal Rambler’s retrospective emphasizes how this attention to detail makes you care about what happened to these people, investing you emotionally in uncovering the truth.
The Monster Problem
Where SOMA falters, then and now, is in its traditional survival horror elements. Periodic encounters with hostile creatures force stealth sequences where you must hide and wait for monsters to pass. These sections feel obligatory rather than integral, as if Frictional worried that abandoning the Amnesia formula completely would alienate their core audience.
Everything is Scary’s 2015 retrospective stated it plainly: “It’s disappointing, because it reads like Frictional came up with a dynamic, interesting meditation on the nature of human existence, and then felt compelled to throw in these rubbish bad guys out of fear of alienating their core demographic.” The monsters aren’t conceptually interesting enough to justify their inclusion, and mechanically they interrupt the far more effective existential horror that defines SOMA’s best moments.
| SOMA’s Strengths | SOMA’s Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Profound philosophical storytelling | Obligatory monster encounters |
| Fully realized protagonist | Stealth sequences interrupt pacing |
| Seamless narrative-gameplay integration | Predictable horror tropes |
| Immersive retro-futuristic environment | Limited mechanical variety |
| Meaningful player choices | Some moral choices repeated too often |
| Life-changing thematic impact | Telling occasionally overwhelms showing |
Recognizing this issue, Frictional added a “Safe Mode” patch in 2017 that makes monsters non-hostile, allowing players to experience the story without survival horror frustration. This addition validates criticisms that monsters detract from rather than enhance SOMA’s core strengths. The fact that the game improves when you remove a traditional horror game element speaks volumes about what SOMA actually excels at.
Atmosphere Over Jump Scares
Rock Paper Shotgun’s review emphasized that SOMA’s true horror comes from what you don’t see – from grotesque scenes suggesting violence and tragedy, from environmental details that let imagination run wild. Corpses tell stories through final recorded thoughts. Abandoned facilities hint at desperate struggles. The horror is cognitive and emotional rather than visceral.
The game’s sound design deserves particular praise. Audio cues create tension and dread more effectively than any monster encounter. The facility groans and creaks under ocean pressure. Distant mechanical sounds echo through corridors. When monsters do appear, their audio signatures terrify more than their visual designs. This atmospheric approach to horror works far better than traditional survival mechanics.
The Ending That Changes Everything
Without spoiling specifics, SOMA’s ending ranks among gaming’s most impactful. The final sequence accelerates pacing after a more measured build-up, creating cathartic emotional release while simultaneously devastating players with its implications. Multiple retrospectives describe the conclusion as “perception-altering” and “life-changing” – hyperbolic language that somehow feels appropriate.
What makes the ending so effective is that it doesn’t provide easy answers or comfortable resolution. SOMA commits to its philosophical exploration fully, refusing to soften uncomfortable truths for player comfort. The credits roll with you sitting in profound discomfort, forced to confront questions the game raised without definitive answers to ease the existential anxiety.
GameSpot’s 2015 review called it “sophisticated and thoughtful,” praising Frictional for not retreading well-worn horror territory but instead forging something “unpredictable and fresh.” A decade later, that freshness persists. Few games since have tackled similar themes with comparable depth and maturity.
Legacy and Influence
SOMA’s influence on science fiction gaming extends beyond direct imitations. It demonstrated that games could explore heady philosophical concepts without dumbing them down for mass audiences. The success validated narrative-focused experiences that prioritize story over mechanics, contributing to the “walking simulator” genre’s evolution and acceptance.
Rely on Horror awarded SOMA 9.5/10 in their retrospective, calling it “widely considered a masterpiece of psychological horror.” The game appears regularly on “greatest games of all time” lists specifically for its narrative achievements. While mechanically it may not match Frictional’s earlier Amnesia work, thematically it represents their peak.
The 10th Anniversary Celebration
Frictional commemorated SOMA’s decade milestone with a physical collector’s edition featuring artwork, soundtrack, and behind-the-scenes materials. More intriguingly, an ARG launched hidden within the game’s files, accessed through Simon’s in-game PC. This interactive treasure hunt allowed dedicated fans to discover additional lore and connect with the community around shared appreciation for the game’s universe.
The anniversary sparked retrospective playthroughs from critics and players who wanted to revisit the experience or discover it for the first time. YouTube retrospectives ranging from 45 minutes to multiple hours dissected SOMA’s themes, design, and lasting impact. The Nocturnal Rambler’s blog retrospective captured the sentiment: “That was one hell of an experience… I can safely state that SOMA was one of the most interesting walking simulator experiences I’ve ever played.”
How It Holds Up in 2025
Technically, SOMA shows its age in minor ways. Character models and facial animations feel dated compared to 2025 standards, though the environmental design remains impressive. The underwater facility’s retro-futuristic aesthetic actually benefits from its 2015 production values, lending authenticity to the “abandoned research station” vibe.
More significantly, SOMA’s themes have only grown more relevant. As AI technology advances and conversations about digital consciousness, brain-computer interfaces, and posthuman existence move from science fiction to serious scientific discourse, SOMA’s questions feel prescient rather than speculative. The game anticipated conversations society is now actively having about what defines personhood and consciousness.
Who Should Play SOMA in 2025
SOMA appeals specifically to players who prioritize narrative and themes over mechanical complexity or traditional gameplay loops. If you want tight survival horror mechanics, enemies that challenge your skills, or complex system interactions, SOMA will disappoint. The gameplay is deliberately straightforward, serving the story rather than standing independently.
However, if you’re interested in science fiction that treats its audience intelligently, philosophical horror that makes you uncomfortable rather than startled, and narrative experiences that genuinely stay with you for years, SOMA remains essential. Using Safe Mode to remove hostile monsters is recommended for players who want pure story focus without stealth frustration.
Comparison to Modern Story Games
Games like Returnal, The Talos Principle 2, and even titles like Outer Wilds carry forward SOMA’s legacy of philosophical science fiction in interactive form. However, none quite match SOMA’s specific combination of horror atmosphere and consciousness exploration. The closest spiritual successor might be Observation (2019), which similarly uses an AI perspective to explore identity questions, though with less horror emphasis.
What distinguishes SOMA is its refusal to soften its premise or provide comforting resolutions. Many games explore similar themes but ultimately retreat to safer, more uplifting conclusions. SOMA commits fully to the uncomfortable implications of its scenario, making it uniquely affecting within its subgenre.
FAQs
Is SOMA scary?
SOMA creates existential dread and atmospheric tension rather than jump scares or visceral horror. The monster encounters provide traditional survival horror moments, but the story’s philosophical implications create more lasting unease than any creature design.
How long does SOMA take to complete?
SOMA takes approximately 8-10 hours for a standard playthrough, longer if you thoroughly explore and read all documents. The pacing is deliberately measured to let themes and atmosphere build properly.
Should I use Safe Mode?
Safe Mode (added in 2017) makes monsters non-hostile, removing stealth gameplay. Many retrospectives recommend this for players primarily interested in story, as monster encounters are SOMA’s weakest element. The game actually improves for most players with Safe Mode enabled.
Do I need to play Amnesia first?
No, SOMA is completely standalone with no connection to Frictional’s Amnesia series beyond being made by the same developer. The games share horror genre DNA but explore entirely different themes and settings.
Is SOMA appropriate for all ages?
SOMA deals with mature philosophical themes about mortality, consciousness, and identity that may be disturbing for younger players. The game also contains body horror imagery, disturbing scenes, and intense psychological content. It’s rated M for Mature.
What platforms is SOMA available on?
SOMA is available on PC (Steam, GOG, Epic), PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. The 10th anniversary physical collector’s edition released in September 2025.
Does SOMA have multiple endings?
SOMA has one primary ending, though player choices throughout affect specific story moments and moral outcomes. The ending’s interpretation is deliberately ambiguous, prompting discussion about what actually happened.
Is SOMA a walking simulator?
SOMA contains walking simulator elements (exploration, environmental storytelling, minimal combat) but includes survival horror mechanics, puzzles, and interactive systems that give it more gameplay depth than pure walking simulators.
Conclusion
Ten years later, SOMA remains Frictional Games’ most accomplished narrative work and one of gaming’s most philosophically profound experiences. While the survival horror elements feel like unnecessary concessions to genre expectations that distract from the far more effective existential horror at its core, the story’s exploration of consciousness, identity, and what it means to be human continues resonating powerfully. The game’s themes have only grown more relevant as society grapples with advancing AI technology and posthuman possibilities, making SOMA’s questions about digital consciousness and continuity of self feel prescient rather than speculative. Simon Jarrett’s journey forces players to confront uncomfortable truths about existence without providing easy answers, creating the kind of lingering emotional impact that justifies descriptions like “life-changing” and “perception-altering.” For players willing to engage with dense philosophical material wrapped in atmospheric horror, SOMA delivers an experience that genuinely stays with you for years after completion. The 10th anniversary retrospectives confirm what 2015 reviews already suggested – this isn’t just another horror game, but a meditation on humanity that uses interactive storytelling to explore questions other media can only observe from distance. Whether you play with Safe Mode enabled to bypass frustrating monster encounters or embrace the full survival horror experience, SOMA’s core strength lies in making you an active participant in philosophical dilemmas rather than a passive observer, cementing its status as essential gaming for anyone interested in what the medium can achieve when it aims for genuine artistic ambition.