This guide is a quick and simple set of suggestions for you to have the best SOMA experience.

When we play games, sometimes we wish we knew things before we had to figure them out the hard way. I am trying set you up for success that I wish I had during my first playthrough.

When we stumble across great games, we only get to experience them for the first time ONCE.
Why not make your first run of SOMA awesome?

-Anthony (Fan of Frictional Games and SOMA)

The following conditions for playing are not always possible to achieve with busy schedules, family, financial limitations, however I would heavily suggest that before playing SOMA, you take these aspects into consideration:

1. Am I Alone?

-If you are in a setting currently where there are people around you, you will have a much more intense experience if you can play the game in a solitary setting. Reconsider waiting until no one else is home or think about moving to another area of your home (for example: a basement).


2. Are the Lights on in My Room/House?

-If you have the lights in your home on while playing this game, much of the tension will be taken out of the atmosphere of the game. I suggest making your surroundings as dark as possible to draw yourself further into the game. Lights will distract you, and make you feel more comfortable than the game intends in certain areas.


3. Am I Wearing Headphones or Using Speakers?

-I would not recommend playing this game with the sound off. Instead, consider using headphones. If you do not have/cannot afford headphones, even cheap earbuds from a convenience store will give you a more optimal experience. Sound is a MAJOR factor of this game, and I would recommend at minimum using budget earbuds, but if at all possibly use headphones. Speakers would be a last resort option.

I would seriously recommend waiting to play the game until you can acquire headphones.


4. Is It Nighttime?

If you recently purchased the game or have an "itch" to enter the world of SOMA, please reconsider. This game is best experienced when the world around you is dark. Work/School schedules can make this difficult, but this will enhance your experience greatly.


5. Have I Taken Care of My Prior Obligations?

This is one of the most story and thought intensive games that I have recently played, so much of your focus will be on the plot and characters. If basic tasks need to be done around your house or in your life: COMPLETE THEM! It will make your life so much easier in the future, and your mind will be fully engulfed in the game, not the dinner you have to make, or the homework you haven't done, or the litter box you haven't cleaned. Trust me! There's a saying in my family that goes like this: "Anything that takes 5 minutes or less to complete is worth doing."


A FINAL SECTION NOTE:

Yes, playing alone can be scary.
Yes, turning the lights off can be scary.
Yes, sounds through headphones can be scary.
Yes, nighttime can be scary to play.

IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE!

Fear is one of the only intense feelings that a game can instill into an individual.
Relax! It isn't real, and there's not a killer hiding in your toilet! The game is detail rich, and essentially a "one trick pony" after you complete it, so we want to experience it the best way we can! Its okay to have to pause the game for a second, or get freaked out, or feel a chill on your back: ITS A HORROR GAME! Do the right thing here, try your best to take this advice and get your money's worth from this game. It will be fine, I promise.

1. SLOW DOWN!

Like I said above, I would recommend again that you finish any prior obligations before each gaming session of SOMA.

SOMA is not a game to rush through. It is like a really expensive firecracker. You spent a lot of money, and you'll only see it go off once, so you need to savor every moment.

This game will put you in stressful situations. Instead of trying to match your body's urge to get through the rollercoaster ride as fast as possible. Enjoy the intensity and unique environments.

Understand that someone on SOMA's team had to texture everything in each section of the game, program every sequence of events, and brainstorm every idea within the game. Take it slow, and comprehend everything the game throws at you.

This is not the game to play 15 minutes before work.


2. This Game is Challenging

At some points during this adventure, you may feel stuck. Keep going! You're not far off from where you need to be!

I know it can be tempting in games like this or Amnesia: The Dark Descent to Google the answer or look up a YouTube walkthrough when attempting puzzles or finding items. I'm asking you to fight that urge and give exploration and confusion just a few more minutes.

There is something excellent to be felt after successfully navigating all by yourself in stressful situations. It is rewarding to find that item, pull that lever, or open that door.


I do understand that sometimes games are difficult and confusing and extra help is needed, but first give it a good try!

If you are still stuck for prolonged periods of time in which the game is no longer becoming enjoyable, I recommend pulling up a text walkthrough in your Steam Overlay. That way you can navigate quickly to the area where you are specifically stuck at, and hopefully the suspense of things to come will not be ruined (which may happen if you are clicking through a video.)

Here are a few helpful text guides for reference:

Game Pressure (which I prefer)

https://guides.gamepressure.com/soma/

IGN

https://www.ign.com/wikis/soma/Walkthrough

I know a lot of the things I have mentioned are simple and maybe second nature to some, but sometimes they are easily overlooked. If you do not follow many of the things I have suggested, your experience may be death by 1000 cuts and unenjoyable.

I believe that video games are truly art, and this game is a great example of that.

SOMA has a lot of twists, turns, and secrets to be discovered. I hope you have as much fun completing this game as I did during my first playthrough.

~Clean your gaming space
~Eat a snack
~Shut off your lights
~Plug in your headphones
~Launch the game
~And enjoy!

When you finish, I encourage you to let me know if the guide helped and what you thought of the game! No spoilers in the comments please! Have fun! Who knows, maybe some of its themes and ideas will find its way into your everyday life (:


Thanks for reading, hope it helps!