Key Takeaways
- Strengths:
- Haunting atmosphere: North Sea oil rig setting, great sound design
- Excellent voice acting brings characters to life
- Interesting story with themes of isolation, corporate greed, and disturbing the natural order
- Weaknesses:
- Linear gameplay with limited exploration
- Short playtime may leave some wanting more
- Relies on atmosphere and psychological horror, not jump scares, which may not appeal to everyone
- Overall:
- Great for fans of atmospheric horror who value story and mood
- Less appealing for gamers who crave exploration, deep mechanics, and replayability
Photo from wall.alphacoders.com
Still Wakes the Deep: A Descent into Claustrophobic Horror (But is it Enough?)
A Haunting Setting: North Sea Gloom and Scottish Grit
North Sea. 1970s. A lone oil rig, the Cormorant, claws its way out of the churning grey water, a beacon of human industry against the unforgiving wilderness. But beneath the surface, something stirs – an ancient, unknowable entity awakened by man’s insatiable hunger for black gold. This is the setting for Still Wakes the Deep, a horror game that promises a chilling descent into the abyss, both literal and metaphorical.
You take on the role of Caz, a rough-around-the-edges electrician with a thick Scottish brogue. The voice acting throughout the game is superb, each character imbued with a distinct personality that shines through despite the ever-present tension. As Caz, you’ll find yourself quickly drawn into the tight-knit crew of the Cormorant, a camaraderie that makes the looming threat all the more terrifying.
Atmosphere Unbound: A Masterclass in Unease
The atmosphere is Still Wakes the Deep’s undisputed strength. The developers, of The Chinese Room, are veterans of crafting hauntingly beautiful worlds (think Dear Esther and Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture), and here they excel once again. The weathered metal of the oil rig groans with every gust of wind, the ever-present creak and clang a constant reminder of your isolation. The North Sea itself is a character, a churning, unforgiving expanse that threatens to swallow the rig whole.
But the true horror lies beneath the waves. The game masterfully builds dread without relying on jump scares. Glimpses of twisted metal and unnatural movement hint at the lurking monstrosity, your imagination filling in the horrifying details. The narrative, bolstered by the fantastic voice acting, plays a crucial role in this. As Caz investigates strange occurrences and stumbles upon the crew’s panicked whispers, you become genuinely invested in their fates. The story delves into themes of isolation, corporate greed, and the consequences of disturbing the natural order, adding depth to the chilling experience.
Photo from wall.alphacoders.com
Linearity’s Grip: A Claustrophobic Cage
However, Still Wakes the Deep isn’t without its flaws. The biggest culprit is its frustrating linearity. Exploration, a key element in horror games, is severely limited. The game tightly controls your path, leading you from point A to point B with little room for deviation. This not only undermines the sense of dread (“Surely there’s somewhere I can hide?”) but also makes the experience feel more like an interactive horror movie than a truly engaging game. For hardcore gamers craving the freedom to explore and uncover secrets, this relentless linearity might feel like being trapped in a rusty cage.
A Short Shudder: Is Brevity the Soul of Horror?
This linearity also contributes to the game’s relatively short playtime. While some might appreciate a concise horror experience, others might feel left wanting more, especially considering the game’s intriguing premise and captivating atmosphere. The lack of replayability further diminishes the value proposition.
Photo from wall.alphacoders.com
Horror’s Echo: A Whisper, Not a Scream
The horror itself, while effectively unsettling, falls short of delivering true scares. The reliance on atmosphere and psychological horror is admirable, but some might crave a more visceral experience. The encounters with the monstrous entity, while appropriately disturbing thanks to the excellent sound design, lack the punch some horror fans might be looking for.
Taking the Plunge: A Verdict for Horror Seekers
So, is Still Wakes the Deep worth taking a plunge into? It depends on what you’re looking for.
For horror aficionados who value atmosphere and narrative over jump scares and exploration, Still Wakes the Deep offers a compelling experience. The meticulously crafted world, strong voice acting, and interesting story will keep you engaged for its short runtime.
However, hardcore gamers craving exploration, deep gameplay mechanics, and a long-lasting experience might find themselves disappointed. The game’s linearity and lack of replayability might leave them feeling like they haven’t truly plumbed the depths of the horror it presents.
Ultimately, Still Wakes the Deep is a haunting experience with undeniable potential. It masterfully builds dread and creates a truly unsettling atmosphere, but its shortcomings in level design and gameplay limit its overall impact.
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