Still Wakes the Deep Reviews
A very pretty walking simulator with disappointingly shallow gameplay and no attempts to innovate.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Still Wakes the Deep is a truly immersive tale, but its linearity ultimately prevents it from reaching new heights. Caz’s bad day is well worth a while for those looking for supernatural horror, but this tale might have been better suited for another medium.
Still Wakes the Deep excels when it comes to storytelling and atmosphere, but things stop there as there isn't much room for excitement in gameplay department. With that being said, if you are a fan of psychological thrillers you will probably still enjoy it although it won't be one of the best you ever played.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Still Wakes the Deep is a good atmospheric horror game. Having it set on an oil rig is terrifying enough because of their innate labyrinthine structures, and the monster encounters provide the right amount of horror energy. The straightforward nature of the pacing and tale is refreshing, and even the presence of a few flaws doesn't hamper one's desire to play the game to the end. If you're a horror fan who favors exploration more than fighting, Still Wakes the Deep is definitely worth checking out.
Aided by its magnificent setting, purposeful suspense, and slick pacing, Still Wakes the Deep is a nicely crafted first-person horror game that needed more complexity.
The beauty of cosmic horror shows best in the recreation of something known, into something unknown. Similarly, The Chinese Room's newest title Still Wakes The Deep transforms their established formula into something newish and isolates this terrorizing idea onto a secluded oil rig located in the Northern Sea where it gives into this genre's beauty. Unique Scottish setting, unfathomably well-designed story, and dense audio design with great visuals push this glorified walking sim into a terrifying realm and serve players a true one-of-a-kind experience!
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Still Wakes The Deep dispenses with any traditional gameplay system and manages to sustain itself only with the power of good writing and doses of tension at the right times.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The Chinese Room has repeatedly proven itself as masters of the walking sim genre, and with Still Wakes The Deep, it delivers another magnum opus. If you can look past the fact that walking sims are generally quite "boor-ing," you can prepare for several hours of Glaswegian-flavored, The Thing-like scenes on a crumbling drilling platform in the North Sea. Pro tip: sip on a strong Lagavulin while playing Still Wakes The Deep to enhance the atmosphere. Not only will you better understand the accent over time, but with a bit of luck, your glass will be empty by the time the credits roll.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Still Wakes the Deep finds the balance between its simple gameplay and an excellent survival horror setting. Caz Mcleary's journey is not only a story of overcoming, but also of love, told through one of the best psychological horror narrative experiences released recently.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The team's reputation in visual design and soundtrack are supplemented by a tautened horror thriller that's oftentimes engaging to watch; however, it's degraded by shallow mechanics that are typically unrewarding to play. Like oil and water, there's an incongruous mixture of creativity within its setting (both spoken and unspoken) and utter predictability within its foundation. Genre fans can treat it like oil spill remediation, mentally separating the two enough to at least appreciate its better qualities.
Still Wakes The Deep is a very atmospheric horror game with some brilliant moments and strong character dialogue. It is unfortunately hampered by a safe overall narrative that players may find more comfortable than scary, and a lack of something new within its gameplay model. Nonetheless, it's an effective game that oozes quality, and those after a strong if not purely creative horror title will find plenty to love.
The return of The Chinese Room is also a continuation of the path started with Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs and Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, with the same attention to detail but much more ambitious in terms of mechanics.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Still Wakes The Deep sets a high benchmark in atmospheric horror, combining stellar storytelling, immersive gameplay, and top-notch audio-visual design. It captures the essence of fear and survival, offering a harrowing yet emotionally resonant experience. Whether you’re a fan of horror games or narrative-driven adventures, Still Wakes The Deep is a must-play, showcasing The Chinese Room’s exceptional ability to create captivating and unforgettable gaming experiences.
Truthfully, if you’re even a passing fan of horror then Still Wakes the Deep doesn’t hit any beats you aren’t familiar with, right down to a nebulous ending that’s going to feel irritating to anyone who likes some solid answers. However, it executes all of those beats extremely well, delivering a tight, well-acted experience that doesn’t outstay its welcome. If you like a bit more freedom and favour gameplay over all else, it’s probably not for you, but otherwise, Still Wakes the Deep is creepy, immersive and delightful.
Still Wakes the Deep delivers a strong atmosphere and specific sense of place that make its unique mix of cosmic horror and grounded natural disaster survival thriller work beautifully.
Nevertheless, this is probably The Chinese Room’s most accessible and broadly appealing game, taking its fastidious approach to worldbuilding and applying it to a seldom visited realistic setting, while merging that with the tried and tested stealth horror of Amnesia or Alien: Isolation. Still Wakes the Deep is short but sweet; a game which delivers you the thrills and tension of its collapsing oil rig rollercoaster with fine precision.
Still Wakes the Deep delivers a masterfully crafted horror experience. While the game does not innovate upon what has already been done before, it delivers the classic horror package well. The oppressive atmosphere, the grotesque creature design, and the relatable characters combine to create a rather memorable journey. While the walking simulator format and concise story may not appeal to everyone, the game's strengths make it a solid choice for those looking for a brief horror experience.
Still Wakes The Deep stands out as a triumph in horror games, blending thrilling gameplay with a unique, inspired, and haunting atmosphere, with a compelling story and characters to boot. It’s a must-play for horror enthusiasts and anyone looking for a game that pushes the boundaries of the genre. Still Wakes The Deep is not just a highlight of the year; it might very well be a benchmark for future horror games.
Still Wakes the Deep nails exploring a unique setting while finding ways to tell a compelling story.
Still Wakes the Deep is a good narrative adventure that immerses us in the horror of a realistically reproduced oil rig, but it fails to create high levels of tension in the player. Thanks to the good story, the interesting cast of characters and the excellent original voice acting, it remains an excellent first-person adventure that fans of the genre should not miss.
Review in Italian | Read full review