Still Wakes the Deep

Still Wakes the Deep, developed by The Chinese Room and published by Secret Mode, truly immerses you in a chilling tale of survival and psychological torment. Set on a precarious oil rig in the North Sea during December 1975, the game’s atmosphere is both haunting and captivating.

• Still Wakes the Deep reviewed on the PC platform.
• Atmospheric triumph with a few cracks in the foundation.

Still Wakes the Deep, a survival horror game developed by The Chinese Room and published by Secret Mode on June 18, 2024, tells the story of Cameron “Caz” McLeary. To begin with, Caz is an electrician with a troubled past who takes a job on an oil rig to get rid of legal issues.

Still Wakes the Deep Story

As I have noted, the story follows Cameron “Caz” McLeary, a Glaswegian electrician with a troubled past, seeking refuge from legal troubles by working on the oil rig. What begins as a desperate escape soon turns into a nightmarish ordeal. A catastrophic event leaves the rig damaged, and Caz must navigate through the collapsing structure, evading monstrous creatures born from contaminated oil.

Still Wakes the Deep’s story is rich with emotional depth, exploring themes of guilt, survival, and redemption. The Lovecraftian horror elements are masterfully applied, creating a gripping and eerie atmosphere that kept me hooked. The Scottish setting adds authenticity and a unique flavor, complemented by an all-Scottish voice cast that brings the characters to life with compelling performances.

The writing and performances really made the game for me. The rig workers turned monsters evoked a sympathy in me. There were times I felt so bad for the workers, some trying to talk to their loved ones, others still in a daze, not knowing what was going on. Especially towards the end, there was a guy in the pump control room, Roper, who was begging us to keep Rennick away. (The only people I didn’t feel bad for were Rennick and Addair, the greedy boss and the racist respectively.)

Still Wakes the Deep Gameplay

Still Wakes the Deep is a first-person game that relies on stealth and environmental puzzles. The absence of a combat system enhances the feeling of powerlessness, making every decision and movement crucial. While this approach effectively builds tension, it also reveals some of the game’s shortcomings. The gameplay can feel overly linear, with little room for exploration due to the constant visual cues guiding you forward. This design choice, although intended to maintain the narrative flow, can sometimes disengage those who prefer a more open-ended experience.

Additionally, the boundaries within the game can be troublesome, with areas that seem reachable but are not, and doors that inexplicably remain closed until the plot dictates otherwise. The monsters often clipped through objects, tainting the experience, and their AI was a bit underdeveloped, offering little challenge while trying to pass them.

Despite these flaws, “Still Wakes the Deep” excels in maintaining player attention on story points. After the disaster that was “Autopsy Simulator” this game stands out as a rescuer, showcasing how effective sequencing should be done.

Graphics and Design

Visually, the game excels in creating a hauntingly beautiful environment. The deteriorating oil rig, combined with the harsh weather conditions, instills a constant sense of dread. The art direction, inspired by films like “The Thing” and “Midsommar,” captures a sense of isolation and fear that permeates every corner of the rig. The colors evoke the ethereal quality of “Annihilation,” creating an atmosphere that is both haunting and captivating. The gore and the designs of the mutated creatures are impressive, adding a layer of visceral horror that enhances the overall experience.

Conclusion

Despite its strengths, the game has notable flaws. It feels too linear, and while not every game needs to offer multiple choices, a bit more exploration would have been appreciated. The game is overly guided, with yellow paint everywhere indicating where to go next. This seems to stem from issues with boundaries—without these guidelines, the game design might not make sense.

Despite its linear gameplay, it manages to leave a lasting impact through its emotional storytelling and immersive world. As a fan of psychological horror, I found much to appreciate, even if the game doesn’t fully escape the confines of its structural limitations.

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