Tips and Tricks - SOMA Guide - IGN (2024)

Are you new to SOMA? This page will teach a few Tips and Tricks before jumping in. This game does flash a few hints on screen at the start, but it mainly expects you to explore and learn on your own. If you'd rather not die a number of times, then continue reading!

Controls

Below is a table of controls for PC (Mouse and Keyboard), PC (Xbox Controller), and PlayStation 4's Dualshock 4 Controller

Exploration

SOMA is based mostly on exploration. Some of the exploration is completely optional and provides extra back story and information, but some is mandatory to the main story line. Items must be found or certain objectives must be completed to reach new areas. SOMA may switch things up from play through to play through by moving items around. We will try out best to provide the correct information in the Walkthrough, but some things may change a slight bit.

Monsters

Like the other series from Frictional Games, a number of monsters can be found lurking around many levels in SOMA. You will not obtain any weapons, and there is absolutely no way to fight. The only thing you can do is run and hide!

Only one monster will be present at a time, but sometimes it will appear as if the monster teleported further ahead somehow. Always be on guard! There are a number of ways to find out if a monster is nearby:

• Keep an eye on your screen. If your screen starts to glitch out and tear here and there, a monster is nearby.
• Listen carefully. If you're not currently in the ocean, you may be able to hear footsteps or groans coming from a nearby monster.
• Check the music. If the music starts getting loud, a monster has noticed you. Once the music really cranks up, a monster will be coming straight for you – run!

When a monster is in the area make sure to crouch down and turn off your flashlight. The monsters in the early levels may not notice your movements all that much, but the monsters in the later levels will notice any little motion you make. Furthermore, staring at a monster will mess up your screen. Avoid making eye contact as much as possible. Peek and lean around corners if necessary.

There are times when you will need to open a door in an area to progress. Opening a door will always alert a monster. Simply opening a door, running through the threshold, then closing the door back up will not be good enough unless you reach an area that will automatically seal itself and continue the story. It's always best to open the door and hide someplace in the dark. If the room through the door is incredibly dark and has desks to hide behind, you may be able to get away with hiding within that room. Just remember: monsters can open doors!

Health, Regeneration, and Death

If you are attacked by one of the monsters in SOMA, your health will be affected in an unusual way. There isn't a health meter or anything of that nature in the game – instead, your screen will become a little blurry and your movement will be reduced. To heal yourself and clear up your screen, find and interact with an unusual pod somewhere in the area. You will later find out these are a part of the WAU.

After being attacked by a monster you will black out and wake up at the exact spot you were attacked. The monster will move a short distance away but it is still a threat, so stay on your toes! It takes two to four hits (depending on the monster) to be killed in SOMA. Once killed, you must restart from the last automatic checkpoint made in the game – indicated by a brain scan logo at the bottom right corner of the screen. SOMA does not allow you to manually save the game. Up to 18 checkpoints will be stored in the Load Game option at the Main Menu.