## Still Wakes the Deep: A New Horror Masterpiece from The Chinese Room
An Eerie Adventure Across the North Sea
Picture yourself suspended above the tumultuous North Sea, cautiously moving across a damaged metal beam at the base of a crumbling oil rig. Towering waves crash below, threatening to drag you into the abyss. This is the harrowing scenario presented in “Still Wakes the Deep,” a first-person horror game by The Chinese Room, the renowned studio behind “Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs” and “Dear Esther.”
The Setting: Beira D Oil Platform
Set in the winter of 1975, “Still Wakes the Deep” places players on the Beira D, a sprawling and labyrinthine industrial platform held up by slender tension legs in the midst of a turbulent sea. The rig itself groans and shifts, coming apart from within. Every aspect of this environment brings a distinct form of terror, from violent creatures with unnaturally long limbs to man-sized pustules emitting a sickly cosmic glow.
Meet Caz and Roy
Players take on the role of Caz, an electrician on the rig, whose best friend is Roy, the cook. With full voice acting, the game features a diverse cast of characters primarily from the British Isles, especially Scotland. A layer of good-natured banter infuses every interaction, rendering the dialogue authentic and often humorous, even in dire situations. This nuanced character development only heightens the horror.
Gameplay Mechanics: Survival Over Combat
“Still Wakes the Deep” delivers classic first-person horror gameplay with finesse. The action involves jumping across broken platforms, balancing on narrow ledges, sprinting down corridors, climbing ladders, swimming through tight passages, and hiding from monsters in vents and lockers. No firearms are available on the Beira D; Caz is armed solely with a screwdriver for unlocking doors and unscrewing panels, emphasizing pure survival over combat.
User-Friendly Game Design
Every input in “Still Wakes the Deep” responds with precision. For instance, climbing a ladder involves holding RT and moving the analog stick in the desired direction. If Caz slips, players must quickly press and hold LT to regain his grip, creating an intuitive quicktime event. This design makes moments of sudden panic intensely satisfying as players clutch their controllers as tightly as Caz clings to the ladder rungs.
Visuals and Atmosphere
The game boasts stunning visuals with sharp lines, intricate lighting, and photorealistic scenes. The alien structures scattered around the rig cause Caz’s vision to distort like melting film, contributing to a disorienting and eerie ambiance. Every frame is rich with thoughtful, well-rendered details that enhance the horror experience.
A Narrative of Relationships and Sacrifice
Amid the sneaking, swimming, running, and climbing on the Beira D, “Still Wakes the Deep” unfolds a poignant story of relationships and sacrifice. The bond between Caz and Roy is central, though they both have loved ones waiting ashore. The driving goal throughout the game is to return to them alive.
Availability
“Still Wakes the Deep” is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, and is also included in Game Pass. Developed by The Chinese Room and published by Secret Mode, this game is set to become a horror classic.
Wrap Up
“Still Wakes the Deep” skillfully blends intense horror with humorous dialogue in a setting rarely explored in gaming. With its intuitive mechanics, breathtaking visuals, and compelling story, it’s a must-play for horror enthusiasts.
Q&A Session
Q1: What platforms is “Still Wakes the Deep” available on?
A1: “Still Wakes the Deep” is available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, and is included in Game Pass.
Q2: Who are the main characters in “Still Wakes the Deep”?
A2: Players control Caz, an electrician on the Beira D oil rig, whose best friend is Roy, the cook.
Q3: What type of gameplay can players expect?
A3: The gameplay involves jumping across broken platforms, balancing on narrow ledges, running down corridors, climbing ladders, swimming through tight spaces, and hiding from monsters in vents and lockers, emphasizing survival rather than combat.
Q4: Is “Still Wakes the Deep” fully voice-acted?
A4: Yes, the game features full voice acting with a rich cast of characters from the British Isles.
Q5: What makes “Still Wakes the Deep” visually distinctive?
A5: The game features sharp lines, complex lighting, photorealistic scenes, and disorienting, alien structures that enhance its eerie atmosphere.
Q6: Who developed and published “Still Wakes the Deep”?
A6: The game was developed by The Chinese Room and published by Secret Mode.
Q7: What year is “Still Wakes the Deep” set in?
A7: The game takes place in the winter of 1975.
