Still Wakes the Deep: A Short, Stunning Horror Experience
Step aboard the Beira D oil rig in 1975, where eldritch horrors lurk beneath the surface while you navigate a gothic tale of survival and sacrifice.
last updated Jul 29, 2024
Still Wakes the Deep offers a hauntingly beautiful but brief journey through a meticulously crafted world.
Tension in Every Turn
In Still Wakes the Deep, players are treated to a narrative-driven descent into horror that expertly mixes environmental storytelling with a gripping plot. You take on the role of Caz, the Scotsman electrician aboard the Beira D oil rig, faced with both supernatural terrors and claustrophobic corridors. While the gameplay may feel repetitive at points with its reliance on a consistent set of actions—climbing, venting, hanging, and running—the atmosphere keeps you on your toes. This principally narrative structure showcases a clever understanding of horror, where the tension builds not from overwhelming gameplay mechanics but instead from a chilling environment and an engaging story. If you're looking for agility and complexity, you might find yourself disillusioned, but if it's the experience of creeping dread you'd like to dive into, the rig doesn't disappoint.
A Pitch Perfect Soundscape
The auditory experience enhances the chilling narrative, with an exemplary sound design that instills both fear and immersion. From eerie creaks echoing through the oil rig to the impressive voice acting that captures the essence of Scottish dialects, every sound contributes to an atmospheric tapestry that keeps you hooked. The soundtrack serves as a haunting backdrop, amplifying the feelings of dread and anticipation as you navigate through confined spaces, each corner a potential face-off with horrors beyond comprehension. The voice actors deserve commendation for bringing genuine emotion to their characters; this isn't just a soundtrack—this is an entire auditory landscape that engulfs you in the story and its emotional stakes.
Visuals That Dazzle and Dread
Graphically, Still Wakes the Deep paints a visual masterpiece, enriching the Lovecraftian horror vibe with meticulously crafted environments that ooze detail and authenticity. The use of Unreal Engine is clearly on display, making each shadow and reflection vital to establishing the game's haunting atmosphere. However, this ambition does come at a price—your rig will need to be in good shape to handle its demands. Many have noted performance hiccups even on higher-end systems, usually attributed to its graphically intensive elements, including ray tracing. Still, when it functions flawlessly, the game is nothing short of a visual feast, with detailed character models and environments that shift from mundane to grotesque as the horrors unfold.
More Depth in the Story Please
Character development shines brightly, particularly in Caz, whose journey is full of heart and vulnerability amidst unflinching terror. The emotional weight carried throughout is palpable, particularly in moments of calm—though it’s important to note that the narrative can feel linear at times, which may leave some craving for more in terms of choices or impact on the story. While there’s an engrossing plot arc with a compelling climax, players may find themselves yearning for deeper explorations of the lore that weaves throughout the experience. Each replay offers little in the way of new discoveries, relegating the narrative to something like a one-time film-viewing instead of a game, which can be a bit underwhelming for those looking for variations in outcome.
STEAM RATING
Developer
The Chinese Room
Publisher
Secret Mode
Release Date
June 18, 2024
A Visually Captivating and Emotionally Resonant Horror Experience
Still Wakes the Deep offers a hauntingly beautiful but brief journey through a meticulously crafted world. While the gameplay may feel repetitive and the story linear, the combination of stellar voice acting, exquisite visuals, and a tense atmosphere make it well worth the price—especially for fans of narrative-driven horror. Just be prepared for a relatively short ride that raises more questions than answers.
