Still Wakes the Deep Review

The walking simulator horror genre owes a significant debt to the 2010 release of Amnesia: The Dark Descent. This pioneering title stripped away traditional combat elements, thrusting players into a world of psychological horror where exploration and environmental storytelling reigned supreme. The success of Amnesia spawned a wave of similar titles, each exploring the potential of narrative-driven horror within a non-combat framework.

The Chinese Room stepped forward with their latest offering: Still Wakes the Deep. This title isn't a mere retread, however. It builds upon Amnesia's foundation, weaving in influences from classic horror films and modern deep-sea nightmares like "Underwater" to create a wholly unique and unsettling experience.

Still Wakes the Deep isn't your typical horror romp. It's a meticulously crafted descent into dread, meticulously weaving a chilling narrative with a hauntingly atmospheric setting. Stepping into the boots of Caz, a rough-around-the-edges electrician on a decrepit North Sea oil rig in 1975, you're immediately thrust into a world on the precipice of disaster.

The game masterfully blends the mundane with the monstrous, lulling you into a false sense of security before plunging you headfirst into a nightmare fueled by isolation, mechanical failure, and a lurking entity from the depths.

The opening act unfolds with a deliberate pace. You navigate the grimy corridors of the rig, engaging in idle chatter with your fellow crewmates. The worn furnishings, flickering fluorescent lights, and the ever-present smell of oil paint a vivid picture of a working-class environment far removed from the comforts of home.

This meticulous attention to detail is what makes Still Wakes the Deep so effective. You become intimately familiar with the rig's layout with its groans and creaks becoming a soundtrack to your daily routine. It's this familiarity that makes the impending disaster all the more horrifying.

The shift from normalcy to nightmare is masterfully executed. A series of seemingly minor malfunctions escalate rapidly, culminating in a monstrous event that tears the rig apart. The once-familiar layout becomes a twisted labyrinth of mangled metal and ruptured pipes. The oppressive atmosphere thickens as flickering emergency lights cast an eerie glow on the wreckage, adding another layer to the growing sense of panic.

Still Wakes the Deep doesn't rely on jump scares to deliver its thrills. The true horror lies in the unseen. The game's primary antagonist, a grotesque Lovecraftian entity awakened by the rig's intrusion into its domain, remains largely shrouded in darkness.

Glimpses of its writhing tentacles and guttural roars are enough to send shivers down your spine. The developers cleverly utilize environmental storytelling to build tension around the creature. The way its presence disrupts the rig's systems, leaving behind a trail of mangled metal and corrupted machinery, speaks volumes about its immense power.

Despite the limited interaction, the development of the supporting cast is a pleasant surprise. Each crew member, from the gruff foreman Rennick to the cynical cook Trots, exhibits a unique personality and backstory. Hearing their anxieties and witnessing their desperate attempts to survive in snatched conversations and scattered documents adds a layer of emotional depth to the narrative.

The camaraderie between Caz and his crewmates feels genuine, especially in the face of overwhelming danger. The voice acting, done entirely in a Scottish accent, deserves particular praise, with each character's voice perfectly capturing the desperation and terror of the situation.

While the narrative and atmosphere are the undisputed stars of the show, Still Wakes the Deep does incorporate light gameplay elements to keep you engaged. Quick-time events (QTEs) punctuate moments of high tension, demanding quick reflexes as you scramble to avoid falling debris or activate critical safety measures.

Environmental puzzles, often involving the manipulation of broken machinery, provide a welcome respite from the constant threat of the lurking entity. However, it's important to remember that these elements are secondary to the game's true strength, which is building an atmosphere of dread that lingers long after the credits roll.

Still Wakes the Deep is no open-world game. The experience is strictly linear, though, with yellow paint on the walls directing your path and not having any branching paths. There are the QTEs and some puzzles that obstruct your linear trajectory. Some may find this to be a serious drawback. As you keep playing, the generous room for error almost detracts from the experience as you don’t really have to think about your next move; it’s literally painted on the walls.

However, the “Walking Simulator” category has become a genre of its own, and there are definitely players who enjoy it. This game does what it does well with its narrative, and it does not feel boring despite its linear nature. This sort of experience would translate excellently into VR as well.

Still Wakes the Deep looks stunning in HDR. The environment of the sea, the rig, and the characters are presented in a near-immaculate, photorealistic way. At the beginning of the game, you are allowed to explore the ship and all the small cabin rooms of your coworkers, where their personalities and intricacies are shown off through how their rooms are kept, little notes here and there, and posters on the wall.

The 1970s setting is captured most naturally through these little details spread throughout the ship. The visuals of the game are fantastic. This remains true even when the horror aspect of the game begins, as you are shown gnarly and grotesque scenes that send a shiver down your spine. I found myself almost feeling the body horror and gore that happens in the game due to how well it was presented.

The concise nature of Still Wakes the Deep may be a point of contention for some. The entire experience can be completed in roughly six hours. However, this brevity allows the narrative to maintain its focus and avoid unnecessary filler.

The tension steadily escalates throughout the game, culminating in a satisfyingly bleak conclusion. While some may crave a longer experience with more detailed character development, Still Wakes the Deep utilizes its runtime effectively, creating a memorable and impactful narrative.

The game's inspirations are proudly worn on its sleeve. References to classic disaster films like "The Poseidon Adventure" and creature features like "The Thing" are evident throughout. Still Wakes the Deep doesn't simply copy these influences, though. It builds upon them, incorporating elements of modern horror films like "Underwater" to create a unique and unsettling experience. This blend of the familiar and the fresh ensures that the game will resonate with fans of classic horror while offering something new to discover.

Still Wakes the Deep is a strong contender for those who enjoy narrative-driven horror games with a focus on atmosphere. If you're a fan of walking simulators and relish the feeling of creeping dread, this is a six-hour journey you won't soon forget. The game's strengths lie in its immersive world-building and the emotional impact it delivers.

The meticulous attention to detail creates a believable and lived-in environment. From the grime-caked surfaces to the omnipresent scent of oil, the game makes you feel like you're truly inhabiting the shoes of Caz, experiencing the rig's oppressive atmosphere firsthand.

The unseen horror is arguably the most effective. Glimpses of the creature's monstrous form are strategically placed to fuel your imagination, while the sound design plays a significant role in building tension. Guttural roars echo through the corridors, and unsettling squelching sounds emanate from unseen depths, further amplifying the sense of unease.

Finally, the brief glimpses into the crew's lives and personalities, coupled with superb voice acting, nurture a connection with them. Witnessing their struggles for survival adds an emotional weight to the narrative, making their inevitable fates all the more impactful.

Despite its limitations, Still Wakes the Deep delivers a masterfully crafted horror experience. While the game does not innovate upon what has already been done before, it delivers the classic horror package well. The oppressive atmosphere, the grotesque creature design, and the relatable characters combine to create a rather memorable journey.

While the walking simulator format and concise story may not appeal to everyone, the game's strengths make it a solid choice for those looking for a brief horror experience. Still Wakes the Deep is a must-consider for fans of narrative-driven horror, especially for those with access to Game Pass. It's a game that will stay with you long after the credits roll, leaving you pondering the depths of the ocean and the horrors that may lurk within.