Still Wakes The Deep: Review

Developer: The Chinese Room
Publisher: Secret Mode
Release Date: June 18th, 2024
Platforms: Windows (Steam, Epic Games)
Price: TBC

Alright, let’s talk about a horror game that ditches the haunted houses and creepy forests for something way more unsettling: a 1970s North Sea oil rig. "Still Wakes The Deep" by The Chinese Room delivers a unique blend of claustrophobia, Scottish slang, and sea horror that’s both fresh and eerily familiar.

Setting the Scene

From the get-go, you know life on this rig is a disaster waiting to happen. You’re Caz, an electrician on the Beira D, dealing with leaky ceilings, faulty machinery, and a grumpy boss. It’s a classic setup: things go wrong, monsters appear, and suddenly you’re fighting for your life. The game's atmosphere and the voice acting are top-notch, grounding you in this oily, rain-soaked hellhole.

Voices from the Deep

One of the standout features is the voice acting. The characters, with their thick Scottish accents, bring authenticity and a bit of humor to the horror. The dialogue is a refreshing break from the usual American voices, with playful insults and banter that make you feel part of the crew. The subtitles hilariously translate the slang, making sure you catch every "gobshite" and "dinnae flap."

The Horror Unfolds

As you'd expect, things go sideways quickly. Fleshy, grotesque creatures emerge from the sea, spreading terror and tendrils across the rig. The game’s use of a “look behind you” button amps up the tension, making you question every sound. It’s reminiscent of "Alien: Isolation" with its desperate vent-crawling and locker-hiding, but it keeps the horror fresh over a solid seven-hour campaign.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Caz isn’t a superhero; he’s an electrician. So, when you’re balancing on beams above a raging sea, it’s anxiety-inducing. The game does a great job of making you feel vulnerable. However, it occasionally strays into action movie territory with over-the-top climbing sequences that break the immersion a bit. But hey, games gonna game, right?

Monsters with a Past

The monsters are a creepy highlight. Each one used to be a person you knew, adding a layer of tragedy to the horror. They moan, groan, and sometimes plead for help, making encounters feel personal and horrifying. It’s a classic horror trope done right, grounding the supernatural in real, relatable fears.

"Still Wakes The Deep" might not reinvent horror gaming, but it sets a high bar for voice acting and atmosphere. It’s a terrifying, immersive experience that uses its unique setting to great effect. Whether you’re drawn in by the Scottish setting, the horror, or the solid gameplay, this one’s worth diving into. Just maybe keep a life raft handy.

This review is based on a review build of the game provided by the developer.