Tomorrow, “Still Wakes the Deep,” a gripping first-person horror game developed by The Chinese Room, will be released on PlayStation 5. The game takes players to a North Sea oil rig in 1975, where they must survive a deadly storm and face an unknowable horror that has invaded their home. Inspired by the developer’s own claustrophobia, this eerie adventure promises to deliver a deeply immersive and chilling experience.
Set against the backdrop of the Beira D oil rig off the coast of Scotland, the game casts players as an off-shore oil rig worker named Caz McLeary. Stranded in the midst of a vicious storm, with all communication cut off and exits blocked, players must navigate the treacherous environment to find and help their crew survive. The rig, depicted with period-accurate detail, becomes a character in itself, filled with tight, dark corridors that heighten the sense of dread and isolation.
“Still Wakes the Deep” does not feature combat, emphasizing survival through puzzle-solving and exploration instead. The developers intended to create a sense of powerlessness, ensuring that every decision feels significant. Players will need to run, climb, and swim through the flooding rig, constantly threatened by an unseen enemy and the ever-present danger of the storm-lashed sea.
The game’s aesthetic draws inspiration from 1970s Scotland, with voice actors from regions like the Isle of Skye, Dundee, Aberdeen, and Glasgow to provide an authentic atmosphere. The developers conducted extensive interviews with former oil rig workers and reviewed documentary archives to ensure a realistic portrayal of life on an oil rig.
“Still Wakes the Deep” was first announced in June 2023 and has since built anticipation with its atmospheric trailers and gameplay reveals. The game leverages the power of Unreal Engine 5 to create stunning visuals and an immersive soundscape, which includes a haunting soundtrack by Jason Graves. The Chinese Room is known for their narrative-driven titles, such as “Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs” and “Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture,” and this new release continues their tradition of compelling storytelling and rich world-building.
Still Wakes the Deep lauches tomorrow on PS5.
Learn how a dev's own claustrophobia inspired this eerie first-person horror: https://t.co/pA20Ty4rOH pic.twitter.com/kqh96Ezx5b
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Players can expect to encounter various challenges as they progress through the game, with early sections focusing on establishing relationships with the crew before the horror elements take center stage. The design encourages backtracking, with new areas opening up as parts of the rig are destroyed or flooded, adding to the dynamic and evolving environment.
“Still Wakes the Deep” will be available on June 18, 2024, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It will also be accessible via Xbox Game Pass, allowing subscribers to dive into this harrowing experience at launch.
For those interested in the inspiration behind the game, lead developer Dan Pinchbeck’s own struggle with claustrophobia played a significant role in shaping the game’s tense, confined atmosphere. This personal touch adds a unique layer to the narrative, making “Still Wakes the Deep” not just a game but an exploration of fear itself.
Prepare to face your fears as “Still Wakes the Deep” invites you into its dark, watery depths, where survival hinges on wits and determination. Will you escape the rig and see your family again? Only time will tell.
