SOMA

Frictional Games

PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, macOS, LinuxPremium

Health Score

GOOD

Watch Gameplay

About This Game

SOMA is a first-person sci-fi survival horror game set in an abandoned underwater research facility. You play as Simon Jarrett, who wakes there after an experimental brain procedure and must explore, read notes, and solve puzzles to understand what happened. There is no combat; you avoid or hide from threats via stealth. An optional Safe Mode removes enemy attacks so players can focus on story and exploration.

Score Breakdown

Positive Aspects

Educational Value

3/5

Creativity

3/5

Pro-Social

0/5

Risk Factors

Addictive Monetization

0/5

Time Pressure / FOMO

0/5

Social Risk

0/5

Content Intensity

4/5

Negatives

•Rated Mature by ESRB and 16 by PEGI, with intense psychological horror as the central tone
•Contains gore such as corpses, depictions of violence, and a persistent atmosphere of dread
•Includes non-sexual nudity, references to suicide, and strong language
•No cooperative or social play at all, so it cannot support shared or family play
•Horror is atmospheric and relentless rather than occasional, which is heavy for younger players

Positives

•Explores identity, consciousness, and what it means to be human, giving older teens rich material for reflection and discussion
•An optional Safe Mode turns off enemy attacks, letting players experience the story and puzzles without being hunted
•Puzzle-solving, note-reading, and exploration are the core loop rather than shooting or fast reflexes
•Premium single-purchase game with no microtransactions, no loot boxes, and no paid extras
•No online multiplayer, no chat, and no daily rewards or timed events that push repeated logins