SOMA is a single-player sci-fi survival horror game developed by Frictional Games and now available on Nintendo Switch. The experience places players in the role of Simon Jarrett, who awakens in an isolated underwater research facility called PATHOS-II. From there, the story unfolds through exploration and interaction with the environment, raising questions about identity and existence while navigating threats in a hostile setting.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on first-person exploration of the PATHOS-II station. Players move through corridors, rooms, and external areas, examining objects and terminals to advance. Puzzle-solving forms a key part of progression, often involving manipulation of machinery or environmental elements to restore power or open paths. These puzzles integrate with the narrative, requiring decisions that affect how events unfold.
Stealth and evasion define encounters with hostile entities. Without any combat options or weapons, survival depends on hiding in shadows, moving quietly, or creating distractions to slip past threats. The game reduces traditional inventory systems to keep focus on immersion and story beats rather than resource tracking. Audio cues and environmental details heighten tension during movement through the facility.
Game Modes
SOMA operates as a single-player narrative experience with no multiplayer components. The primary way to play follows the full survival horror structure, where monster encounters carry lethal consequences and demand careful avoidance. A Safe Mode option, added after the original release, keeps the creatures present in the world but prevents them from harming the player. This variant shifts emphasis toward exploration and story without altering the core environment or puzzles.
Progression remains linear across both approaches, with areas unlocked sequentially as the plot advances. No additional modes such as competitive or cooperative play exist.
Narrative and Setting
The story drives the entire experience, set against the backdrop of an abandoned underwater station. Players uncover details through logs, recordings, and direct interactions that reveal the facility's history and the nature of its inhabitants. Themes of consciousness and what defines a person emerge naturally from the events and choices encountered.
The underwater location creates a sense of isolation, with limited visibility and confined spaces adding to the atmosphere. Voice work and sound design support the delivery of key story moments without relying on external exposition.
Is It Worth Playing?
SOMA suits players who prefer story-driven horror that prioritizes atmosphere, puzzles, and philosophical elements over action or combat. The Nintendo Switch version delivers a faithful adaptation of the original, optimized for portable and docked play. Recent release on the platform makes it accessible for those seeking a complete single-player campaign without ongoing updates or seasonal content.
Reception highlights the strength of its narrative and world-building, with many noting its lasting impact on themes of identity. Those who enjoy evasion-based survival and thoughtful progression will find the experience rewarding, while players seeking fast-paced combat or multiplayer features may look elsewhere. The Safe Mode provides an entry point for those sensitive to traditional horror tension.