The Ultimate SOMA Discussion Thread

[plutomaniac]

I'm pretty sure that indicates that PATHOS-2 is indeed an underwater base and not an Irish one.

I'm not disappointed at all and yes I know it's underwater. I meant near Ireland, not on the actual island. I know it's a longshot but just saying...

[Alardem]

I'm pretty sure that indicates that PATHOS-2 is indeed an underwater base and not an Irish one.

I'm not disappointed at all and yes I know it's underwater. I meant near Ireland, not on the actual island. I know it's a longshot but just saying...

It's way below Europe on the map.

And guys, the protagonist is wearing a futuristic diving suit. If he were to walk around on the moon, would you also assume he was naked there?

[SeanieTheMan]

Would you rather have a silent protagonist or one that talks like Simon? I know sometimes, developers like to use silent protagonists to help with the immersion, since it feels like you're really playing as yourself in this game. BioShock did this.

[BAndrew]

Would you rather have a silent protagonist or one that talks like Simon? I know sometimes, developers like to use silent protagonists to help with the immersion, since it feels like you're really playing as yourself in this game. BioShock did this.

I don't have any preference to any of these as long as it doesn't break immersion. That depends on how it will be implemented by the developers of course.

[Macgyverthehero]

Being a character that talks on his own is not a big problem of mine, I would not mind it as long as the character does not constantly narrate over every scene, as I'd like to make my own assumptions too on what might be going on.

Hi Thomas.

[Sampyli]

I think the main character having a voice is fine as well. In previous FG games the main characters do "speak", but in the form of text on the screen or a journal entry. In one of the previews Simon says "God, what a stench" when walking in to a room, which for example I think I'd prefer instead of a bit of text on the screen. (Some might say it's less immersive but I don't think so.)

[Hungerzz]

Is it going to be a Bioshock kinda game,just horror? Anyways i think it is going to be awesome!
Looking forward to it ^^

[Kreekakon]

If you feel like discussing the game in general, please use the mega thread!

http://www.frictionalgames.com/forum/thread-24250.html

[pagan]

"Pure puzzle-wise, it's a bit in-between [both Amnesia games]," Grip says, noting that Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs was pretty straightforward while The Dark Descent was built around puzzle hubs. "We want to keep it very streamlined, so the player doesn't have their mind on solving puzzles."

"In Soma, our main goal is to keep the focus on narrative," he explains, which reminds me of what Dan Pinchbeck said when I interviewed him for Eurogamer's A Machine for Pigs post-mortem.

I really hope this streamlining and focusing on narrative doesn't lead to another AAMFP disappointment. ATDD was a huge success because it could merge proper and interesting gameplay with the narrative (wasn't only gameplay focused, but wasn't only narrative focused either, i hit the right balance imo). Focusing strictly on the narrative at the expense of gameplay leads to a very shallow experience imo. Also, the linearity mentioned in other articles is hopefully only valid for the press demo and the final game will have exploration and some wandering around to find the way to the next objective. Te excessive linearity and the feeling of handholding was very immersion breaking in AAMFP.

I hope Frictional once again hits the right balance in Soma, but i admit these articles don't really reassure me.

[Deep One]

I just find some things very unrealistic:

- Monsters are walking under the ocean! Do you know how difficult it is to walk under water? It's almost impossible!

- Too many objects are floating in the water. I would like it to see a hand full floating objects, but normally things either were swimming on the plane or sinking to the ground.

- Underwater computers and radio messages?

googol it's a video game