Still Wakes the Deep

Still Wakes the Deep is a narrative-driven walking simulator set on a meticulously detailed North Sea oil rig, blending atmospheric horror with a poignant story about family, survival, and loss. Players explore a claustrophobic environment where supernatural dread and cosmic horror unfold, supported by exceptional voice acting and immersive sound design. The game’s pacing emphasizes tension over action, with stealth and avoidance mechanics rather than combat, creating a unique horror experience that relies on mood and storytelling.

While relatively short, typically around 4 to 6 hours for the main game and DLC combined, it offers a powerful emotional impact. The Scottish setting and accents add authenticity, and the rig itself acts as a character, richly crafted with industrial detail. However, the gameplay is minimalistic, primarily walking and triggering events, which some players found limiting. Technical issues like occasional bugs and performance hiccups were reported but generally did not detract significantly from the experience. Overall, it is praised as a memorable, cinematic horror game with a strong narrative focus.

Highlights

Players highly praise the game's atmospheric design, with detailed oil rig environments that feel authentic and immersive. The voice acting and Scottish accents receive consistent acclaim for enhancing character depth and emotional engagement. The storyline is described as touching, heartbreaking, and well-crafted, delivering a powerful narrative about human relationships amidst cosmic horror. The sound design effectively builds tension and dread, while the horror elements are unsettling and memorable. The game’s pacing and linear structure are seen as strengths that maintain narrative flow and immersion. Visually, the graphics are noted as beautiful and fitting the eerie mood, especially with monochrome and arthouse-style effects.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the game's minimal gameplay mechanics, described as primarily a walking simulator with limited interaction, lacking puzzles, combat, or exploration depth. Some players found the horror segments sparse and the monster AI or encounters somewhat predictable or scripted. The linearity and on-rails progression were seen by some as restricting player agency. Technical issues such as frame drops, bugs, and occasional crashes were reported, affecting immersion. The DLC received mixed reviews, viewed as less engaging and somewhat rushed, adding little to the main story. Additionally, the game's short duration and lack of replayability were noted as drawbacks, with recommendations to purchase on sale.