If you’ve seen the trailer for Still Wakes The Deep and wondered whether the hype is real, you’re in the right place. This review walks you through the story, combat, visuals, and the little details that can make or break a game. No fluff, just the facts you care about.
The game drops you into a sun‑kenched archipelago where ancient ruins hide a secret that could drown the world. The narrative is told through short, cinematic cut‑scenes and optional diary entries that add depth without forcing you to read a wall of text. What works best is the pacing – each new island introduces a fresh mystery while slowly revealing the larger threat.
Characters feel distinct. The protagonist’s voice‑over is gritty but never over‑the‑top, and supporting characters have clear motives that keep you guessing. If you enjoy uncovering lore piece by piece, the game’s hidden journals and environmental storytelling will keep you hooked.
Exploration feels rewarding. The open‑world map is peppered with secret caves, underwater tunnels, and dynamic weather that actually changes enemy behavior. You’ll spend time swimming, diving, and even piloting a small sub‑craft, which adds nice variety.
Combat mixes real‑time action with strategic pauses. You can lock onto foes, aim for weak points, and use a limited set of gadgets – like a pulse cannon that stuns sea monsters for a few seconds. The learning curve is gentle; early encounters teach you the basics, and later battles demand you combine gadgets with timing.
One downside is the stamina system, which can feel harsh during long dives. A few extra stamina potions would smooth the experience, but the tension also adds a survival feel that fits the game’s tone.
Visually, the game shines. The water shader reflects light beautifully – sunrise glints off the surface, and storms create eerie silhouettes. Character models are detailed, and the art direction leans into a gritty, low‑poly vibe that feels intentional rather than cheap.
Audio deserves a shout‑out. Ambient ocean sounds, distant thunder, and a subtle score that ramps up during combat immerse you without becoming repetitive. Voice acting is solid, and the occasional radio chatter adds authenticity to the world.
On the technical side, the game runs smoothly on mid‑range PCs and consoles. Load times are short, and the occasional frame dip is limited to dense underwater sections. The developers also included a set of accessibility options – from color‑blind mode to customizable controls – which broadens the audience.
Overall, Still Wakes The Deep delivers a balanced mix of story, exploration, and combat. It isn’t perfect – stamina management and a few repetitive side quests can drag, but the core experience is compelling enough to recommend it to fans of action‑adventure and survival titles.
Our final rating? 8.5/10. Dive in, explore the mysteries, and see if you can keep the deep from swallowing the world.
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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