On June 18th 2024, British game developer The Chinese Room released a horror game that hoped to combine elements of John Carpenter's "The Thing" with motifs found in movies like "Midsommar", and The Lighthouse. That's a pretty bold and ambitious plan to say the least! That game was Still Wakes the Deep.

Described as a first person psychological horror game, Still Wakes the Deep sees the player take on the role of Caz McCleary an electrician aboard the Beira D oil rig in the North Sea in the year 1975. Haunted by decisions in his past, including a more recent violent altercation, and the loss of trust from his wife and partner Suze, Caz must navigate a crumbling infrastructure aboard the oil rig, a slew of electrical issues, and the cosmic horrors of the unknown on his journey back to his home and family.

In a game filled with a cast of wonderfully realized characters, superb voice acting, and heavy themes, it is perhaps the lack of real mechanical depth in the game that leaves the most room to be desired. This is a game that asks many intriguing questions about psychology, grief, and body horror, it's just a shame that the ways it gives you in gameplay to explore those themes is surface level.

All in all though, Josh and Colin had a wonderful time playing this game. It doesn't overstay its welcome, and respects your time. If you're looking for a game to play during the upcoming Spooky season that can accompany a longer game, this may be the one for you!

Coming up next month on Surviving the Horror, Colin and Josh will be sinking their teeth into the newly released Silent Hill 2 Remake. We hope you'll join us then, and thank you for listening!