Still Wakes the Deep — video game rigged up for horror

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When playing a horror game, it's reassuring to have a specific button for checking what's behind you. Even if there's nothing lurking in the shadows, the mere possibility is enough to make you glance over your shoulder. In The Chinese Room's narrative horror game, Still Wakes the Deep, you're constantly being followed by someone or something.

In December 1975, Cameron "Caz" McCleary is residing in a North Sea oil rig. The strong winds and water are hitting the windows of his room, which is decorated with tinsel. McCleary works as an electrician on the rig, and the atmosphere among the workers in the canteen is not pleasant. There is a lot of talk about taking industrial action; it's all anyone can think of, even as the offshore rig faces the stormy seas. To worsen matters, McCleary is on the run from an altercation that happened on the mainland. He is trying to avoid the authorities, and he is also dealing with an impending divorce. His wife tells him in a letter, "You can't run from your problems," but it seems like he will have to try, at least temporarily.

Before long, the mainland will appear heavenly in comparison to the ominous corners of Beira rig. One morning, when the drill hits an unexpected object, pandemonium ensues on the platform. A strange, slender, glowing biological creature begins to hunt through the corridors, taking over the personnel and sabotaging the rig. Despite their backup strategies, the management is unable to handle the situation and is not willing to take responsibility for it.

One great aspect of playing as McCleary is that you're unsure of how to deal with the situations at hand. It's not your job to fix things, and you lack the necessary weapons to battle the monstrous creatures. Your primary goal is to escape safely. These circumstances make you feel exposed, replaceable, and more likely to use vulgar language. The dialogue in this game is exceptional as it illustrates the personalities of the rig's laborers in a clear and realistic manner within the six-hour timeframe.

The atmosphere around you fails to encourage a favorable mindset towards work. The workspace is a maze of rickety ladders, wobbly platforms, and moody steam valves. Posters and signs pretend to maintain organization and stability, yet the reduction of resources had already damaged the system before chaos ensued. Additionally, most doors are inaccessible. Despite the numerous maps situated inside the area, it is improbable that one could move directly from one location to another without encountering the dreadful monsters.

The sole drawback that I came across is that the adversaries you face can display sporadic behavior - when they do manage to catch you, they may glitch out and writhe on the floor without making any actual attacks. I could view this as a result of the remaining shreds of humanity possessed by the victims they've taken over. Alternatively, it could be an infrequent neglect that detracts from the overall well-executed pace of alternating between fleeing and concealing oneself.

Despite focusing on avoidance, Still Wakes the Deep ultimately promotes accountability and confronting issues directly. As the rig falls victim to its inner turmoil and the past confronts the present, both you and McCleary must learn to move forward without constantly checking your surroundings, even if the option is available.

The game 'Still Wakes the Deep' can be played on a computer, as well as on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S gaming consoles.