Welcome to our June 2024 archive. If you love games that make your heart pound, you’ll want to hear about Still Wakes The Deep. The Chinese Room throws you onto an abandoned oil rig in 1975 Scotland, and the vibe is pure dread. Below we break down what works, where it stumbles, and whether you should bother playing.
The core loop is simple: explore, avoid the alien‑like creature, and solve environmental puzzles to keep moving. Unlike many horror titles that rely on cheap jump scares, this game leans on tension. You’re constantly watching your stamina, the weather, and the darkness. The puzzles feel like real work on an oil rig – you’ll be welding, rewiring panels, and pulling levers. They’re not mind‑bending, but they fit the setting and keep you busy when the creature isn’t chasing you.
Combat isn’t an option, so you learn to hide, use distractions, and run when you have to. The AI is pretty good at patrolling the cramped, rusted corridors, making each encounter feel fresh. If you’ve played other survival horror games, you’ll recognize the push‑and‑pull of fear and curiosity that drives you forward.
Atmosphere is where Still Wakes The Deep shines. The designers nailed the cold, damp oil‑rig feel – metal creaks, water drips, and distant sea wind. The lighting is low‑key, with flickering lanterns that barely cut through the gloom. It’s enough to make you squint and wonder what’s lurking just out of sight.
Jason Graves’ soundtrack adds a layer of unease. The low hum of the rig’s machinery blends with eerie synth tones, creating a soundscape that feels both industrial and otherworldly. The audio cues are also functional; you’ll hear the creature’s soft growl before it appears, giving you a split‑second to decide whether to hide or flee.
Overall, Still Wakes The Deep offers a tight, atmospheric horror experience that stands out in 2024. It’s not perfect – the pacing can lag in some sections, and the puzzle difficulty spikes at odd moments – but the mood, story, and sound more than compensate. If you’re after a game that makes you feel like a worker on a haunted rig, give it a try. Grab a flashlight, brace for the unknown, and see if you can survive the deep.
Still Wakes The Deep is a survival horror game set on an oil rig near Scotland in 1975. Developed by The Chinese Room, it features a tense atmosphere with blue-collar workers stranded and a mysterious alien-like creature. The game mixes horror, environmental puzzles, and platforming mechanics, all accentuated by a chilling soundtrack by Jason Graves.
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