SOMA is a contemplative horror game dripping with psychological, almost existential dread. It’s also about running from scary monsters. Surprisingly, however, stripping out that second part actually makes the game more enjoyable and, in some ways, scarier.
The Dreamer’s somewhat derisively named Wuss Mode: Monsters Won’t Attack mod is actually really cool. They describe it thusly:
This addon renders nearly all enemies in the main story non-hostile during regular gameplay. Surprisingly, it completely changes the atmosphere of the game, often for the better, since the servants of the WAU quietly patrolling the abandoned halls of Pathos-2 have a chilling poignance to them.
Puppets slowly stalk you through hallways instead of madly dashing for you, as if they are confused by your presence and don’t know what to do with an intruder that shares their flesh and blood. Constructs beg you for structure gel, and angrily chastise you for not sharing, but they cannot take it from you, and as you walk by them, a cold chill overtakes you as you realise they will slowly starve in the inky black depths. Playing it is an incredibly surreal experience, and while I personally prefer the vanilla gameplay, I think for those with weaker countenances, this is certainly a worthwhile way to play.
Having played around with the mod for a bit, I find myself agreeing with The Dreamer’s assessment. Just kinda living with these creatures — staring at them, taking it all in, bathing in their otherworldly eccentricities, realising why they’re here — is an experience equal parts unnerving and contemplative. You have time to consider what these things are really about, notice the details Frictional put into their movement and sound design, and connect it all back to the game’s most truly upsetting element: its story.
Compared to other Frictional games like Amnesia, SOMA wasn’t super scary — preferring instead to plant existential eggs in your brain and let their spawn slowly infest your thoughts — so this more contemplative, strangely unnerving approach almost fits the game’s pace and tone better. If you’ve already played SOMA the normal way, I definitely recommend giving it a try. In a lot of ways, I prefer it to the vanilla experience. It might also be good if you’re normally nauseated by the idea of even slightly scary games (hi Luke). That said, this mod still breeds its own kind of terror. Don’t underestimate it.
Comments
3 responses to “SOMA Mod Stops Monsters From Attacking, Improves The Game”
I kinda wish this was in the game from the start. I like to play games like this on easy just to enjoy the story. Plus I’m a wuss and don’t usually touch horror games.
I actually tried with this game though because it seemed like a genre of story I would enjoy, namely hard sci-fi. I didn’t get too far before giving up though. Just wish this mod had come out before I went and spoiled the story for myself on youtube and wikis just to see what happened. I would have much preferred playing through and experiencing it first hand without spending all my time cowering in a corner quietly sobbing.
You preferring something doesn’t make it better, it simply supports your preference. In order to posit objectivity, a greater level of holistic consideration is required. This baffling misconception seems to be extremely common with writers for enthusiast media today.
Too many $10 words in this post!
Life is better down where it’s wetter, under the sea!