In 1975, Caz McLeary, an offshore oil rig worker, finds himself trapped on a collapsing rig off the coast of Scotland. A mysterious force begins tearing through the structure, isolating him from the crew and cutting off all contact with the outside world. With the rig sinking and something monstrous lurking in the shadows, Caz must fight for survival while facing his guilt, desperation, and the consequences of human greed.
Still Wakes the Deep is a survival horror game developed by The Chinese Room and published by Secret Mode in 2024. Known for their narrative driven experiences like Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs and Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, the studio uses this project to dive into atmospheric horror. The game combines psychological tension with environmental survival elements, placing players in a hostile, sinking oil rig that feels both claustrophobic and overwhelming.
Gameplay
Players control Caz from a first person perspective as he navigates the failing rig. Combat is nonexistent; instead, players must rely on stealth, environmental awareness, and quick decision making to survive. The rig is a maze of collapsing walkways, flooding chambers, and dark corridors, forcing players to plan each move carefully. Puzzles focus on environmental hazards, such as rerouting power, sealing off water filled sections, and finding alternate paths to escape the creature that stalks the rig. The absence of weapons amplifies the sense of vulnerability.
Visuals and Style
The game’s art direction captures both the industrial grit of the oil rig and the haunting beauty of the Scottish North Sea. Flickering lights, rusted metal, and the constant sound of groaning steel set a tone of decay and dread. The ocean outside is a constant threat, battering the rig with storms and waves. The monster itself is rarely fully revealed, adding to the fear of the unknown. Sound design plays a crucial role, with dripping water, distant footsteps, and the creak of metal amplifying tension.
Importance in Survival Horror History
Still Wakes the Deep carries the legacy of survival horror by emphasizing fear through powerlessness and atmosphere rather than action. It follows in the footsteps of narrative driven Psychological Horror experiences while also drawing inspiration from classics that relied on setting and sound over combat. By placing the horror in a real world industrial setting instead of a traditional haunted house or town, the game broadens the genre’s scope and demonstrates how survival horror can evolve into new spaces while staying true to its roots.
Reception and Historical Value
Upon release, Still Wakes the Deep was praised for its immersive storytelling, atmosphere, and use of environmental horror. It is expected to be remembered as one of the most atmospheric indie driven titles of its time, cementing The Chinese Room’s reputation for blending emotional storytelling with immersive worlds.
Availability and Collectibility
Still Wakes the Deep is available digitally on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, as well as on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. It is also part of Xbox Game Pass, making it accessible to a wide audience. Some Physical copies were later released, its unique setting, narrative driven design, and critical acclaim secure its place as a modern survival horror title that collectors and fans of atmospheric horror will revisit for years to come. A DLC was later released called Siren’s Rest which incorporates a lot of underwater based horror, strongly recommended.
Get it on:
Steam: Still Wakes the Deep on Steam
PSN: : Still Wakes the Deep
Xbox: Buy Still Wakes the Deep | Xbox
Epic Games Store: Still Wakes The Deep | Download and Buy Today – Epic Games Store
Trailer: