Still Wakes the Deep Review (PS5, PC, Xbox Series X|S)

The ocean is a vast and shimmering expanse that often conjures a sense of calm or a carefree environment. You can head out for a swim or simply get a free tan by the beach. Yet beneath its sparkling surface lies a world of fathomless horrors that can send shivers down your spine. This duality of the sea sets the stage for an unforgettable gaming experience.

This is why developer The Chinese Room settled on an oil rig miles into the ocean as the game map for its latest title, Still Wakes The Deep. The game, a walking simulator, lets you navigate the erie corridors of the rig after things suddenly go awry. And, of course, being that the rig is in the ocean, you can’t miss out on the leviathans.  

Still Wakes the Deep dips its feet in the sea of virtual nautical experiences. While it does not necessarily reinvent the wheel, it features captivating gameplay that blends atmospheric storytelling with moments of sheer terror. If this sounds like your cup of tea, read on as we peel back the layers of this title in our Still Wakes The Deep review. 

Rigged for Terror

Still Wakes The Deep wastes no time introducing you to its protagonist, Cameron McClear, known to his mates on board as Caz. As an electrical engineer on the rig, Caz has taken the job to escape his troubles on the mainland. A letter from his wife hints at a tumultuous backstory, urging him to make things right. Additionally, Caz is on the police radar for some undisclosed issues, making the oil rig a perfect place to lie low. However, he soon discovers that the problems he left behind are trivial compared to the horrors awaiting him.

At first, everything on the Beira D oil rig seems normal. As you navigate the corridors, you meet the rest of the crew. Every conversation feels natural, with most crew members voicing concerns about the rig’s safety features. This is where things start to unravel.

The rig’s managers, Cadal and Rednick, are notorious for cutting corners, resulting in missing essential safety measures. The workers’ union representative has raised alarms, threatening a strike if their concerns are not addressed. The crew echoes these sentiments, and it isn’t long before the drill hits something on the ocean floor, triggering a catastrophic chain of events. This sets the stage for Caz to step up as an unexpected hero.

Nae Bad, Yersel?

Walking through the corridors of the rig is a visual delight. The environment is meticulously detailed with vibrant colors, creating a captivating atmosphere. This isn’t a game where you’re left guessing your objective; pressing ‘tab’ on PC reveals yellow markers guiding you to your next task. Your first mission is to chat with your friends in the cafeteria. These conversations touch on the workers’ pain points, vividly depicting the rig’s dilapidated condition.

The Scottish accents add a charming layer to the narrative. The rhythmic intonation of every word and their choice of phrases strike a delicate balance of humor and wit, setting the stage for the story. Our protagonist, Caz, appears to be a people person, engaging in hearty conversations with almost everyone. His talk with Roy, the cook, highlights his deep bond with his fellow crew members. It’s clear that Caz has been on the rig for quite a while, which also explains why his wife is considering divorce.

Peril Beneath The Platform

If you think walking inside the rig is intriguing, wait until you step out. The game environment opens up to a massive oil rig with different containers, pallets, and lifting cranes. Virtually, it captures the scene and sound of being out in the ocean. From a distance, you can hear the creaking of the rig, which also points to its derelict state. But from the surface, everything seems okay. 

The game eases you into the different gameplay mechanics. First, you get to show your electric prowess by restoring power to the grid. Taking out a blown fuse and replacing it with another. This action is done for you. Your job is mostly pulling levers up and down to restore power or pull up the Diving Support Vessel. Ideally, it’s a blend of light puzzles that offset the linear walk-round on the rig.

The meat of the gameplay unravels after the drill unleashes a leviathan creature on board. The once expansive metallic structure is slowly being consumed by the mysterious yet glorious creature, or, shall I say, infected, taking the rest of the crew members with it. I can’t pinpoint what is more nightmarish about it between its bubbly tentacles or that it shrieks out using the voice of those it consumed. The game’s horror element then comes to life, where you must navigate the wet corridors and crevices to find a way out. 

Moving through the underrig can trigger hints of thalassophobia (fear of being in colossal water, besides). A thin plank separates two sections, and you must cross to get to the other side. Suddenly, a huge thud rocks you off balance, and you must maintain a grip on the plank to get yourself back on track.  

All In A Day’s Work

Ironically, Caz gets fired minutes before the drill strikes the ocean floor. Before he can get to the helicopter and off the rig, he is thrown off board, and we get a brief flashback of his memories. This neat insertion adds depth and immersion to the gameplay, making you understand Caz’s background and desire to be on the rig. But after tragedy strikes, home sounds like a better option for Caz, even if it means brushing shoulders with the police. 

Still Wakes The Deep does a fantastic job of easing you into the horror. The monstrous creature with long, spiky tentacles can strike you unless you run or hide. Combat is simply non-existent, pitting you as a helpless character fighting the unknown. Thankfully, the game warns you of being in its vicinity using bubble markers on the screen. It’s ideally a game of cat and mouse, hoping you don’t run into the monster. But this is a tedious task, especially since almost all doors are locked. 

On the upside, the game embraces the yellow color code to indicate interactable items. This visual cue is necessary to prevent intense frustration from creeping up in players. But the yellow color is a tad too much in the game. While it is understandable, considering it is also a safety mark that calls for attention or warns of a physical hazard, the use of yellow paint in gaming has been criticized by the gaming community as a hallmark of ‘bad game design.’

Missed Mark

From the get-go, I was enthralled by the concept of people over profit, which ideally encapsulates most oil rigs. The show of workmanship is shown by the crew, who are concerned for their safety, and a clearly unbothered manager who wants nothing but results. As if that’s not enough, the call for industrial action by the union paints a picture of a disgruntled crew who put their lives on the line for the corporation. The fact that one of the crew members tries to warn the manager of the possible danger but shrugs it off is a thematic area that reflects society. 

Unfortunately, the game veers off this trajectory by focusing more on the monstrosity above. Fine, it depicts the consequences of greed’s actions. But it narrowly navigates the theme. We see little about this since it is overshadowed by the fight-or-flight gameplay mechanic.

As a horror fan, I found the game needing more genuine scares. Yes, occasional jump scares catch you off guard, but they are not enough to make you leap out of your seat or get your heart racing. Additionally, the gameplay, characterized by numerous climbing sequences and minor tasks like pulling and pushing objects, only adds a little to the overall experience. After a while, it all starts to feel too routine.

Verdict

Besides these hiccups, Still Wakes The Deep ropes you in with its authentic narrative. It’s easy to relate to the issues compounding Caz, especially since the game circles around them using flashbacks. This is complemented by the intricate and meticulous design of the game environment. The rig is beautiful, and navigating every inch adds to the immersion.

The game’s sound design is also impeccable. The creaking of metal, the distant hum of machinery, and the ominous silence punctuated by sudden, startling noises all contribute to a rich experience that heightens the tension. Combined with the game’s visual elements, this ensures that the horror elements remain consistently unsettling, even if not always heart-pounding.

On the question of whether I can recommend this game, I certainly would, but not to die-hard fans of horror. However, there is no harm in trying it out and experiencing its aesthetics and captivating storytelling.