If you’re a fan of horror games and looking for a unique experience, Still Wakes the Deep is a game that captures the essence of Scottish dread while delivering a tense and immersive atmosphere. Developed by The Chinese Room, the studio behind acclaimed titles like Dear Esther and Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, this game promises a memorable journey into darkness.
Set aboard the Beira D oil rig in the North Sea, Still Wakes the Deep puts you in the shoes of Cameron “Caz” McLeary, an engineer facing personal struggles that are soon overshadowed by a far more terrifying threat. As you navigate through the facility, abandoned and infested with eldritch horrors, the sense of foreboding grows stronger with each step.
One of the standout features of Still Wakes the Deep is its authentic Scottish setting, brought to life by a talented voice cast of Scottish actors. The regional slang and dialect add a layer of immersion, even if some terms may be unfamiliar to players from other parts of the world.
The game’s environment is meticulously detailed, with interconnected areas that evolve as the story progresses. From flooded corridors to mysterious growths, each section of the oil rig tells a story of its own. The gameplay includes platforming elements and context-sensitive interactions that keep you engaged as you uncover the dark secrets lurking within the rig.
However, where Still Wakes the Deep falls short is in its survival horror mechanics. Despite the grotesque and disturbing creature designs, the lack of challenging AI makes encounters with these monsters underwhelming. Stealth and evasion tactics easily outsmart the eldritch horrors, taking away from the suspense and thrill of facing true danger.
With a relatively short campaign and linear storytelling, Still Wakes the Deep excels in building tension and atmosphere but stumbles in delivering meaningful encounters with its monstrous inhabitants. The game’s visuals and body horror elements impress, but the lackluster enemy AI leaves much to be desired.
In the end, Still Wakes the Deep is a promising horror title that may leave players wanting more in terms of gameplay challenge and creature interactions. While it captures the essence of Scottish horror and offers a unique setting, it falls short in delivering on the core elements that make a horror game truly memorable.