Game:

Soma (2015)

Duration: 41:29

185,518 views

6,611

A Declaration:
Welcome to the Gameological Dig, a channel devoted to playing games with obtuse and interesting stories. The aim of this channel is to treat these game worlds like an archeological site, meant to be unearthed and studied, so that we may better understand their plots, characters and themes.

Episode Notes:
The somber finale to one of the best sci-fi/horror gaming experiences ever. Frictional really hit it out of the park with SOMA, riffing on the concepts and themes of science fiction greats like Phillip K. Dick and Harlan Ellison. It's easy to see the DNA of stories like "I Have No Mouth and Must Scream" found in the husks of Pathos-II's staff. SOMA also channels "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" in its questioning of a 'what is a life worth living for a those whose arteries are made of alloys?'

I walk away from this project weary but fulfilled, as I imagine Simon on the ARK also does. What's next, I'm not too sure, but for now, please enjoy.

Also, I know I eff'd up on the title. I wrote "gently," when I should have written "gentle." I'M SORRY, MR. THOMAS!

Game Notes:
To those unaware, Soma is a science fiction survival horror video game developed by Frictional Games and released on 22 September 2015. The game takes place on PATHOS-II, an underwater remote research facility with machinery that begins to take human characteristics. The game primarily utilizes elements of psychological horror instead of conventional scares found in most video games within the genre. Throughout the game, the player will find a large array of clues, such as notes and audio tapes, which builds atmosphere and furthers the plot. Similar to most titles by Frictional Games, there is no combat, and instead the player progresses through puzzle-solving, exploration and the use of stealth.

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