SOMA is a game all about the atmosphere, as it’s a game that makes no bones about its intent. While you’re playing it, you’re going to get a very mind-bending story about sci-fi tropes and disaster, one which may be one of the best of the year.
SOMA is a game all about monsters and weird technology corrupting various people trapped in some nefarious experiment. To avoid spoiling things, that’s all I’ll say. The game has a wondrously dreadful atmosphere, and a big part of that is the body horror influences. The creatures in the game hunt you down across the various levels. There are so many slimy moments, both literally and figuratively, sprinkled throughout the game. And getting to feel them deep down is rather terrifying.
Players are supposed to avoid these encounters with stealth and ingenuity. Some people work well under pressure, so this makes the game more fun. It’s just that some folks enjoy being hunted while trying to solve puzzles apparently. There is a way for the players who don’t enjoy that though.
If you’re the kind of person that can’t handle that, there is a way around it. It’s worth noting that the game is intended to reinforce the tone and gameplay pace through combat to some degree. So if you don’t want to mess with the tone of the game, avoid this mod. For those that don’t care as much, may I introduce the SOMA Wuss Mode mod.
You can ensure a more peaceful experience with a mod created by Daniel Childers called Wuss Mode, which tweaks their AI so they never attack you.
The various enemy types have been seriously altered in the context of the story, each with its own unique aesthetic and feel. The Construct is one of the first foes you face, and it’s pretty mindless. These lumbering morons are terrifying in their own right though, thanks to the brute force they represent. The Crawlers offer a much more menacing feel, what with their insane ramblings. These might seem pathetic, but they’re not to be taken lightly.
These enemies normally hunt and kill you through the course of the game, but the SOMA Wuss Mode mod changes much of that to avoid the combat. There’s one thing to keep in mind though, scripted encounters cannot be avoided. There are some chase sequences that cannot be modded out, and must be included in the game to advance the story. So during these scripted moments that mention or depict monsters attacking Simon, there is no way to avoid them.
