SOMA [Steam, GOG], the sci-fi horror from Frictional Games now has a special 'Safe Mode' for those of you after an easier experience.
In this new mode, you cannot die, making the encounters with the various creatures less deadly, since they won't attack you. It still has all the same atmosphere, but if you've had trouble dealing with the creatures then this update might be for you.
There's still plenty to be afraid of, but now you can experience this sci-fi horror without the frustration of dying.
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Direct Link
Direct Link
You can read more about the "Safe Mode" on their official blog.
About the game:
SOMA is a sci-fi horror game from Frictional Games, the creators of Amnesia: The Dark Descent. It is an unsettling story about identity, consciousness, and what it means to be human.
The radio is dead, food is running out, and the machines have started to think they are people. Underwater facility PATHOS-II has suffered an intolerable isolation and we’re going to have to make some tough decisions. What can be done? What makes sense? What is left to fight for?
Will this update bring you back, or did you have no trouble with it?
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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20 comments
I played Amnesia, is this something similar?Similar mechanics; no fighting, only hiding and running away. The resource management has been taken away (no sanity, no lantern fuel, no tinderboxes, simplified inventory and no inventory puzzles). The SOMA monsters are fairly tame compared to Amnesia. I'd say it focuses more on the story and the philosophical aspects of your predicament.
0 Likes
The biggest trouble so far is actually freeing up some time to play it.
0 Likes
I played Amnesia, is this something similar?
Yes, but...
SOMA was less exciting in the horror department for some people, but it has some breathtaking moments to an extend Amnesia did not for me (though I loved it!) and the end is way better.
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I played Amnesia, is this something similar?If you want real disgusting fps horror, I advice you to also take a look at the penumbra series.
It's the same sick mindset, but you also get to kill scarcely.
Soma is less sickening, because it lacks the sick mindset. Amnesia and penumbra sometimes made me nauseous as the story was sickening. (Look at the description of torture methods in Amnesia and then realize, this used to be normal practice).
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I played Amnesia, is this something similar?If you want real disgusting fps horror, I advice you to also take a look at the penumbra series.
It's the same sick mindset, but you also get to kill scarcely.
Soma is less sickening, because it lacks the sick mindset. Amnesia and penumbra sometimes made me nauseous as the story was sickening. (Look at the description of torture methods in Amnesia and then realize, this used to be normal practice).
I played penumbra some time ago and it was very good.
1 Likes, Who?
SOMA is really something special, honestly I'd appreciate some harder mode or something, that would bring something new/interesting to play it again, since it has no sequel
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Such a great game hampered by grinding your way past monsters. Il have to return to this, one of the only games i resorted to using a guide. Worth a purchase even if your just into graphics whoring.
4 Likes, Who?
Will this update bring you back, or did you have no trouble with it?
I am happy to read this news. I'll definitely start playing it again soon. Back in July 2016 I paid quite a bit of money to get this game but gave up after ~1 hr; I have "1.2 hrs on record". The reason was that having to run away from the baddies and still constantly die was infuriating. It pissed me off - so much. Again, good news.
1 Likes, Who?
maybe you did not realize this: once you "look" at enemies, they get closer to you, eventually killing you. as I remember the story told that some malfunctions occur with them/you once you look at them - the solution is often (even if an enemy is very close to you) to look 180° in the opposite direction, or towards some wall or corner. then they usually go away.
there are a few situations where you have to think and act accordingly, but most of the time the rule is: do not look at them and you should be able to pass.
Last edited by miro on 4 December 2017 at 7:43 pm UTC
there are a few situations where you have to think and act accordingly, but most of the time the rule is: do not look at them and you should be able to pass.
Last edited by miro on 4 December 2017 at 7:43 pm UTC
0 Likes
At least with "safe mode" there is now an actual chance to take a closer look at the enemy designs. Frictional must be the game devs that spends the most amount of design into creatures that will never be displayed (either due to the character getting instakill or the environment being pitch black).
1 Likes, Who?
Silas Mortimer Dec 5, 2017
I love everything Frictional Games has put out and I love that they've supported Linux with each one. I look forward to whatever they put out next.
1 Likes, Who?
slaapliedje Dec 5, 2017
I've bought all their games, but damned if I can finish Penumbra. I'm at some point where there are three dogs and they're almost impossible to sneak past (at least I haven't found a way) and by the time you almost beat one down with the crowbar, it backs off just enough to howl for help...
The game gives me serious anxiety, so I just can't manage to get past that part.
The game gives me serious anxiety, so I just can't manage to get past that part.
1 Likes, Who?
I've bought all their games, but damned if I can finish Penumbra. I'm at some point where there are three dogs and they're almost impossible to sneak past (at least I haven't found a way) and by the time you almost beat one down with the crowbar, it backs off just enough to howl for help...
The game gives me serious anxiety, so I just can't manage to get past that part.
Doesn't it have a console ?
I got frustrated at the last monster in Soma , so i used a cheat mode to put myself in "god" state so it could not damage me.
In regards to the article:
This easy mode seems pointless to me if you have cheats. :P
0 Likes
Doesn't it have a console ?
I got frustrated at the last monster in Soma , so i used a cheat mode to put myself in "god" state so it could not damage me.
In regards to the article:
This easy mode seems pointless to me if you have cheats. :P
On Steam Workshop you can find the Wuss Mod (if I remember correctly there is a standalone of the mod that works for non-Steam users) which disable monster's aggressive AI (for most part as you can always be killed on some chase sequences, and the Leviathan can hurt you even if he can't kill you). The official "Safe Mode" from Frictional seems to be an improvement over the unofficial Wuss Mod as this mod can sometimes break immersion with the behaviour of some monsters (they still are attracted by you and will follow you without attacking... which can be annoying with the visual artefacts from their proximity). Btw, I've played the game with the Wuss Mod as I'm not that fond of horror games but enjoy good SF story in first person view (which is SOMA strength), and will try the "Safe Mode" to enjoy the "atmosphere" one more time. :)
Last edited by riusma on 5 December 2017 at 3:20 pm UTC
2 Likes, Who?
slaapliedje Dec 6, 2017
I was planning on playing all the Frictional Games in order, and haven't completed the first one yet, but didn't realize SOMA was one until I had already played a decent amount of it. Ha, oh well it is very visually stunning. Maybe one day I will have more time to play games... probably by the time these are considered "Retro".
1 Likes, Who?
I was planning on playing all the Frictional Games in order, and haven't completed the first one yet, but didn't realize SOMA was one until I had already played a decent amount of it. Ha, oh well it is very visually stunning. Maybe one day I will have more time to play games... probably by the time these are considered "Retro".
It's not wine you know. You don't have to wait :P
0 Likes
How would I enable Safe Mode?
I didn't find an option...
You have to start a new game and then the next step let you choose the normal or safe mode (it's different from the Wuss Mod that you could activate and deactivate at any time during the playthrough assuming you save, quit and start again the game). :)
1 Likes, Who?
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