Still Wakes the Deep Reviews

This game is just something else, perfect world-building, left me amazed, the sound hits hard, crashing waves, the storm, creaking metal… it’s perfect; Some say it’s short, but I disagree, I thought the pace and timing were just right; It’s a beautiful game. The ocean felt so real, it seriously boosted the fear factor. Easily 10/10. I’d do it all over again, no regrets ❤

[h1][b] TLDR: Terrible controls, boring mechanics, and an underwhelming and predictable narrative make me not recommend this otherwise beautiful looking walking simulator. [/b] [/h1] [h1]PROS: [/h1] ➕Excellent graphics [h1]CONS: [/h1] ➖Unable to take two simple actions at once (holding item + open door/crouch) ➖World lacks meaningful interactivity/exploration ➖Predictable and obvious QTEs ➖Terrible controls, especially underwater [h1] [b] Content (Game world/Narrative) – [6/10] [/b] [/h1] The game world takes place from a first-person perspective. You play as a worker on a Scotland oil rig. The world is beautifully created and has a look-and-feel of a lived-in environment, but also contains numerous professional-looking items that would feel at home on an oil rig. I enjoy the world because the oil rig aspect feels faithful, but also the setting of the 1970s is great with the technology. I feel like this setting of Stranger Things mixed with The Thing. The narrative starts out innocently enough, 10 minutes into the game you get fired, and 5 minutes later a portal to hell is opened. You then spend the rest of the game going all over the ship to prevent it from sinking, only to [spoiler]end up blowing it up anyways[/spoiler]. I didn’t get much of a narrative pull, considering the majority of the time you’re just listening to the experts of the rig tell you what you need to do next while you, a simple electrician, have no idea the purpose of the levers and buttons you’re hitting. I would probably rate the game world alone an 8, but the narrative wasn’t great and by itself I’d probably give it a 5, as such, I landed on a 6 for this category, because the game world gradually dissipates into a nonsensical cluster of objects and goop as the game progresses. [h1][b] Gameplay (Mechanics/Difficulty) – [2/10] [/b] [/h1] The mechanics I found were very disappointing. For all intents and purposes, this is a WALKING SIMULATOR. The interactivity the player has is so minimal and basic, I felt that the devs made even the simplest interactions have multiple button presses in an effort to add another layer of “Gameplay” onto the game. Things like climbing ladders take 2 button presses, turning on a heater, 2 buttons, closing a valve, 2 buttons. It's small, but meaningless considering how non-interactive the rest of the game is. To also expand on the controls, I literally died multiple times from how awful they are. There are numerous platforming sections where you must sprint, well sprint seems to only work half the time. The “Toggle sprint” option might be bugged, I’m not sure. The underwater sections are the worst - you swim like an atrophied slug. There’s few parts where you have to use some sort of “Boost” underwater by grabbing onto a ledge and propelling yourself forward. This just never works for me and you have to hit a combination of right click, W, space bar, and left click. It's just bad. When you encounter monsters, the only thing you can do is hide and throw objects to distract them. It's so contrived that you’ll notice tons of crawlspaces and places to hide with random items like bottoms and hammers deliberately placed near the hiding spots. Like can you get any more obvious? I found the difficulty to be fair. There were many places I did end up dying but it's not so much because it's a hard part, but because the controls are generally awful, especially the underwater parts. [h1] [b] Graphics (Quality/Technical) – [8/10] [/b] [/h1] Superb. I absolutely love the art and fidelity. The game has a ton of modern graphical options like DLSS and even AMD/Intel options. Everything looks simply gorgeous. I played with all settings maxed and did notice some slight stutters, but it was tolerable as I played it for a bit. With maxed settings, I averaged about ~80-100 FPS with my hardware. There were some graphical bugs, as well as some movement bugs I encountered. Things like being attacked through walls, epilepsy inducing areas with my flashlight against specific walls, and just general animations being clearly off. Nothing game breaking though. i9-13900KF | RTX 4090 | 64GB RAM | 1440p @ 240hz | Windows 11 installed on SSD [h1] [b] Audio – [7/10] [/b] [/h1] Audio is solid. There isn’t much music, but the environmental effects and atmosphere sound good. Perhaps the biggest complaint I have with the audio is its very noticeably quiet. I had to crank up the volume double what I normally play on. There is ample voice acting, and being set on a Scottish oil rig, many of the voices are, surprise, Scottish! So while I do love the accent and its faithfully represented in the game, the Scottish accent can be very thick and full of colloquialisms. I find it funny that the subtitles display the “Translated” meaning in English while the actors speak in traditional Scottish. Also, the main character swears like a drunken sailor, love it. Cause I too would be screaming F-bombs repeatedly as I’m being chased through the hallway by a literal giant head. [h1] [b] Replay Factor (Longevity) – [2/10] [/b] [/h1] Not great, aside from a ton of achievements, including some missable, there isn’t a great reason to replay this. It's a linear walking simulator with zero exploration or collectables. [h1] [b] Final Verdict – [5/10] [/b] [/h1] Still Wakes the Deep (SWD) is an interesting game. Its horror isn’t too terrifying, it's a decent take on Lovecraftian horror in a place you wouldn’t expect- an oil rig. So while the setting is good, and the graphics are too, I was immensely let down by the mechanics. Biggest negative for me = Mechanics. Biggest positive for me = Graphics. I am generally a big fan of the “Walking Simulator” genre, but I believe in order to be light on the mechanics, you must have at the very least an interesting narrative. Something to distract the player from, well, not really doing anything else. Unfortunately I think SWD fails in the two biggest areas of a game for me - mechanics and narrative. I think if you’re going to go bad on an aspect of a game, it can be one or the other of the above, NOT both. So what I’m left with here with SWD is a very beautiful game with a decent audio experience. Its becoming somewhat of a habit with Unreal Engine games to showcase a beautiful, but shallow, experience, and that seems true for this, at least for me. So overall, I cannot recommend this game. I think if you want to check out a much better walking sim, look into The Invincible ([url=https://steamcommunity.com/id/Synikx/recommended/731040?snr=1_5_9__402]review here[/url]). [h1] [b] Recommend? (Price) [Y/N] [/b] [/h1] [h1]No[/h1] A ~4.5 hour game for $35? Big negative on that price-per-hour ratio. I see the lowest its gone was around $15, which I would only recommend picking it up around that price point. You can find my curator page here: https://steamcommunity.com/groups/Synik_GR

Still Wakes the Deep offers a fresh and intriguing take on the survival roguelike genre, combining atmospheric exploration with intense underwater combat and procedural storytelling. Developed by Dan M. Hart and published on Steam, this game invites players into a vast, mysterious ocean world filled with strange creatures, hidden secrets, and treacherous terrain. Unlike traditional roguelikes that rely on dungeon crawling or fantasy tropes, Still Wakes the Deep crafts an immersive maritime experience, where the ocean itself feels like a living, breathing antagonist. At its core, the game centers around a lone diver piloting a fragile submersible through the depths of an uncharted sea. The visuals strike a perfect balance between stylized minimalism and detailed environmental effects, creating a moody, almost haunting ambiance. The ocean is depicted with dark blues and subtle light play, emphasizing the isolation and danger lurking beneath the waves. The world feels expansive and unpredictable; every dive uncovers new biomes, from eerie sunken ruins to vast coral labyrinths, each populated by hostile creatures that challenge the player’s skills and nerve. Exploration is the heartbeat of Still Wakes the Deep. Procedural generation ensures that no two journeys are identical, offering a strong replayability factor. Players must manage resources carefully — oxygen, power for the submersible, and ammunition — all while navigating hazardous underwater terrain. The game’s survival mechanics are unforgiving but fair, rewarding cautious, strategic play rather than reckless bravado. Discovering caches of supplies or unlocking shortcuts feels genuinely thrilling, especially as each descent pushes the player deeper into unknown territory. Combat in the game is tactical and pulse-pounding. Players must engage with a variety of sea creatures, each with distinct behaviors and attack patterns. The submersible’s weapons are limited and require precise aiming and timing, turning fights into tense, almost puzzle-like encounters. The threat of damage is always looming, as even a few hits can force a retreat or a carefully calculated risk. This tension is heightened by the game’s dynamic sound design—ambient ocean noises mixed with the sudden bursts of creature growls or mechanical alarms keep players on edge throughout their expeditions. Storytelling in Still Wakes the Deep is subtle and atmospheric, relying more on environmental clues and emergent narratives than on traditional dialogue or cutscenes. Logs, fragments of lore, and cryptic messages scattered across the ocean floor hint at a greater mystery behind the submerged world and its strange inhabitants. This approach encourages players to piece together the backstory organically, deepening immersion and sparking curiosity about the ocean’s secrets. The lack of a heavy-handed narrative allows the mood and atmosphere to take center stage, making each dive feel like an unfolding chapter in a larger, enigmatic tale. The game also features a progression system that encourages repeated playthroughs. Upgrades to the submersible can be unlocked between dives, allowing players to improve hull strength, weaponry, and mobility. These upgrades provide a satisfying sense of growth and mastery, essential in a roguelike where initial runs may feel punishing. The combination of procedural generation, escalating difficulty, and upgrade options strikes a good balance, keeping players engaged without frustrating them unduly. While Still Wakes the Deep excels in atmosphere and mechanics, some players might find the learning curve steep. The game demands patience and careful observation, and newcomers to roguelikes or survival games might struggle with its unforgiving nature and sparse tutorialization. Additionally, the minimalist art style and slow pacing may not appeal to those seeking high-octane action or flashy visuals. However, for players willing to immerse themselves in its unique underwater world, the game offers a richly rewarding experience that feels distinct and memorable. In conclusion, Still Wakes the Deep is a beautifully crafted and thoughtfully designed survival roguelike that captures the mystery and danger of deep-sea exploration. Its combination of atmospheric visuals, strategic combat, and procedural storytelling creates an engaging experience that stands out in a crowded genre. The game’s tension, exploration, and subtle narrative weave together to form a haunting adventure beneath the waves, inviting players to confront the unknown and survive its many perils. For those looking for a challenging and atmospheric journey into the depths, Still Wakes the Deep delivers a unique and captivating experience that resonates long after the submersible surfaces. Rating: 8/10

This one's a proper Lovecraftian horror — just you and some cosmic wankery that’s mutated half the rig and probably your sense of hope too. The "monsters"? Aye, they look like yer maw before she’s had a coffee and forgiven your existence. Not exactly terrifying — unless yer into damp, fleshy regret. It's no Alien: Isolation though. That game? I finished it once, sure. But I hit the infirmary, panicked like a wee bairn, uninstalled it for two years, then came back to finish it outta sheer spite. Never again. That infirmary can rot in hell. But this? This is different. Still scary, aye. But it’s atmospheric — dread builds like mould in a Glasgow flat. No guns. Just survival, smarts, and shouting “oh f*ck this!” while knee-deep in sea water and psychological damage. Noise will betray ye. Or save ye. Sometimes both in the same f*ckin’ minute. But the story? That’s where it shines. It's human. You care. You sweat. You slip on a pipe and scream. And you keep goin', 'cause maybe — just maybe — you’ll make it out without bein’ turned into seafood soup. Pros ✔️ Heavy accents that could cut steel ✔️ Real fear, not cheap jumpscares ✔️ Wet horror done right Cons ✖️ Can’t fight back. Just run and swear. ✖️ Everything’s slippery and full of existential goo ✖️ Monster sounds like yer da snorin’ on a Sunday Final verdict: If you ever wanted to experience cosmic horror while shoutin’ “YA WITLESS CREEPIN’ MUTANT!” at the dark — this game’s for you. And me. And every poor sod who’s ever worked a night shift and said “this job might actually kill me.” 🌊 Bring a raincoat. And maybe a priest.

*standing ovation clap* This is how you do a walking simulator with a bit of hiding and running from scary monsters and tie it around with a tight bow of cosmic horror that tries to enter your mind. And it's a short game which you can play it in one, 4 to 5 hour sitting but I'm perfectly fine with that. Playing open world games all the time will eventually give some fatigue so this was nice change of pace. What more I can say? Visuals complete the narration of the story perfectly and monsters plays nice homage to the other monsters in this genre. The overall story is like a good movie about disaster turning into full blown nightmarish horror that slowly succumbs the main character to realize that you can't run away from this thing. As it happens in all of the genre classics. EDIT: And with the DLC, Siren's Nest... Well, you got me and to the developers, you get to be in rare collection of games where I'm just staring the screen while the ending of the game unravels and the emotions takes over me. Thank you. I needed this.

100% Achievement Review: A quick review based on my experience completing all the (available) achievements. Title: Still Wakes the Deep Summary: Lovecraftian horror action game Personal notes: Still Wakes the Deep is a great game. You are Caz, a man running from certain responsibilities by working in one of the most remote places in the world, an offshore oil rig. This is until something is discovered while drilling that turns the whole rig upside down. The story itself had me intrigued the whole way through with some unexpected twists. I thought the art, music and overall story design was really well done. As such the characters felt really well made and down to earth which is always nice. The game play is fairly simple but honestly well done, personally it has been my favourite from The Chinese Room so far. The pacing is also good with its mix of story telling and nail biting moments running from death. The soundtrack was very fitting for this horror story and only heightened the experience. All of this combined made for a very tense and exciting play-through. My only real complaint would be that it is too short :P. For reference, I was able to complete the game and its DLC twice in under twenty hours. I also heard from others it was a little buggy for them but I honestly ran into nothing in both my play-through's. The achievements for this game are a little challenging, with a lot of them being out of the way or requiring specific things. Not to mention you have a handful of DLC achievements that are also out of the way. I listed the ones I had the most difficulty with below. All things considered, I really enjoyed my time with Still Wakes the Deep. I thought the story was great and the DLC addition was a great tie in as well. Say hi to Gibbo for me! Time it took to complete: 19hrs Most difficult achievement(s): - Body Count (Find every reachable dead crew member) - Not so Good with the 'Leccy (Die in all electrical hazards on the Beira D) - Sat Dive Certification/Mastery (Thoroughly explore the sea floor/trench valley) - Bheir an cuan a chuid fhein a-mach (Completed the game in Scottish Gaelic) - Moch 's mi 'g eirigh (Cuir crioch air an sgeulachd le dusgadh)-(DLC in Scottish Gaelic) Difficulty rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ 6/10 Overall rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10

it's a games that is 'on rails' the whole way. But the story, voice acting, the music score, the soundscape, the horror, all combine to make an unforgettable experience. Extraordinary.

Dieses Spiel spielt sich für mich wie ein gutes (wenn auch verkürztes) Half-Life 2 ohne Waffen, aber mit einer immerwährenden Horroratmosphäre. Dazu ist wichtig zu wissen, dass man dem typischen "Backrooms-Chasen" entgegenwirken kann, da es einen Story-Modus gibt, der deutlich weniger Gejagt-Szenen mitsich bringt - das ist toll. Die Story in diesem Spiel ist ein geniales und total fesselndes Meisterwerk und es erinnert mich sehr an die tolle Serie, die ich vor einiger Zeit mit meiner Frau auf Netflix gesehen hat und auf dem Namen "The Rig" hört. Bis zum Schluss wollte ich immer wissen, wie's weiter geht und vor allem wie's zuende geht. Natürlich keine Spoiler von mir an dieser Stelle. Das DLC "Siren's Rest" war für mich zusätzlich nochmal spaßiger, weil man Sammel-Items finden konnte, die teilweise wirklich gut versteckt waren; hauptsächlich unter Wasser. Aber ich habe auch nicht alle Items in meinem Run gefunden. Insgesamt bin ich heilfroh, dass ich dieses Spiel plus das DLC während des Steam Summer Sales 2025 gekauft habe und es auch überraschenderweise einen "gejagt-freundlichen" Spielmodus hat. Sonst hätte ich es vielleicht wieder refundet - zum Glück nicht und ich danke den Entwicklern für das tolle Game. 👍 Ein zweiter Teil wäre natürlich genial. 😉 Gesamtwertung: 9/10

Still Wakes the Deep is in all honesty a mix bag for me. There are things I like about this game, and then it's followed by things I don't like. For every positive thing I can say about this game, there's a "but" or "however", and it leads me with a game where I half like it, but I half don't like it. Maybe there is something I am missing because I can see glimpses to why people would love this game, or maybe this game just really isn't for me. Graphically, Still Wakes the Deep looks fantastic. The main setting of the oil rig looks great in a lot of areas, the interiors are very detailed, the rain effect looks gorgeous, and it made you feel like you were on a giant oil rig. If there is one thing I can give Still Wakes the Deep some credit for at least, it's that it is visually great. I had 1 visual oddity happen during my time playing and a low res texture here and there, but that's about it. I'm also going to say that the music of Still Wakes the Deep is fantastic and fits the game perfectly! Story wise, I didn't really care about it. You play as an Engineer in the 1970s named Caz who is on the run from the police after assaulting a guy, you are fired and told to leave, but a drilling incident causes a thing below the sea to take over the oil rig and infect people. I was really interested in the story just from the premise, but there isn't much of a story to be had here. The beginning of the game is where most of the story is and where you do get some world building, but after that there's not much of a story other than characters barking orders at you. It is a shame because the beginning is actually really strong, you get introduced to the rig and the characters, you're given a little background that gets you interested and some of their personalities, but then once that's done and you're thrust into the thing taking over, it's just it feels like the story goes on auto-pilot. You'll get small flashbacks, but nothing is really ever built on. Caz's backstory is never really built on other than some flashbacks, and that goes double for the other characters. Everyone else is gets like a few seconds of character, and then just dies. I didn't really feel anything for the death of any character, including the ones that you were clearly meant to supposed to be sad about. It just feels forced, like you meet this one guy at the beginning, throughout the rest of the game he's just constantly telling you "You need to go fix this", and then his death is treated as though it's this big sad thing. What probably baffled me the most was at the end, you are told "be brave for once in your life". I'm sorry, what? I spent 4 hours facing literal death every 5 seconds while everyone else does near nothing, and I "need to be brave for once in my life". What I can at least give is that the voice acting for this game is actually really good! Gameplay wise, Still Wakes the Deep is not great. I heard this game be called a walking sim, and it feels like it half wants to be a walking sim, but the other half wants to play like a horror game, and the combination doesn't feel right. Much like the story, the gameplay seems to feel like auto-pilot. You don't really get a chance to really explore, there's nothing interesting to find except for at the beginning of the game, and you're not in any real danger most of the time due to constantly being pushed forward. Speaking of dangers, the monsters are a disappointment. The monsters do look horrifying and you will see some horrible imagery, but I wasn't scared at any point. The monsters while they look horrifying, don't really pose a threat, and if anything they're pretty much brain dead. Just find an item to throw and it distracts them for so long that you can practically get to where you need to before they turn around. The worst thing that can happen is that the game bugs out and the enemy gets stuck and can't do anything, but cry non-stop. The actual time where they do pose a threat are in chase scenes, but even then so long as you're moving forward, they can't get you. I want to love Still Wakes the Deep, I love how much the game leans into its Scottish characters and even having Scottish Gaelic as a language setting, I love the setting being on a giant oil rig, I love the inspirations that it took from, I love the music, it has potential to be scary, and it is visually great for the most part. However, if I had to sum up the game, I would have to quote my favorite Scottish chef, "It's raw. It's pink, and stone cold in the middle." This game simply needed more time in the oven to bake. If it had more story, character development, gave you more to explore or encouraged you to explore more, and just had more depth to it, I would absolutely recommend this game. I just can't, I don't think it's a great game, but I don't think it's a bad game. To me it's just painfully average. I do know that there is a good amount of love for this game, and I can completely see where people can and do love this game and I can see some people finding more enjoyment out of the game than I did. I really think that this just wasn't a game for me personally.

While the gameplay is very simplistic, the game benefits from its immersive graphics, short format, and compelling characters. I definitely recommend it for horror fans looking to unlock a new genre of nightmares.