Review · Action · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · PC
SOMA
Reviewed: 05 May 2026
PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · PC · macOS · Linux
Frictional Games · 2015
Ludograph rating
C
Mixed
56 /100
SOMA is an immersive adventure game that fosters problem solving and spatial awareness while exploring deep philosophical questions, but contains intense horror and strong language.
Growth (BDS)
42
Risk (RIS)
16
Daily limit
–
Age guidance
17+
Developmental benefits
| B1 | Cognitive | 0.56 | |
| B2 | Social-emotional | 0.17 | |
| B3 | Motor | 0.25 | |
SOMA offers a deeply immersive and thought-provoking narrative experience that challenges players to consider complex philosophical questions about consciousness, identity, and humanity. The game excels in fostering critical thinking and reading comprehension through its extensive lore and environmental storytelling. Players will engage in problem-solving and strategic thinking as they navigate the treacherous underwater facility and avoid threats. The game's atmosphere and moral choices can lead to emotional engagement and introspection.
Design risks
| R1 | Compulsion-loop pressure | 0.00 | |
| R2 | Monetization | 0.00 | |
| R3 | Social risk | 0.06 | |
SOMA's primary risks stem from its intense horror elements, including high levels of fear and psychological distress, and strong language. The game features scenes of violence and disturbing imagery, though it lacks direct combat. While there are no monetization pressures or compulsion-loop design mechanics, the dark and unsettling themes, combined with a sense of isolation, could be emotionally taxing for some players. The narrative also includes themes that can impact a player's sense of self-worth and identity due to its focus on consciousness transfer.
Content (not in risk score)
| R4.1 | Violence Level | 1.00 | |
| R4.2 | Sexual Content | 0.00 | |
| R4.3 | Language | 1.00 | |
| R4.4 | Substance References | 0.00 | |
| R4.5 | Fear / Horror | 1.00 | |
Content risk is displayed separately and does not affect the time recommendation.
Regulatory design checks · DSA — Assessed: meets criteria·GDPR-K — Assessed: meets criteria·ODDS — Assessed: meets criteria
- DSA:What Ludograph checks: whether the game's design gives minors the transparency the EU Digital Services Act expects: plain terms, honest defaults, and clear reporting routes.: Estimated from review data. No dark pattern or child-targeting concerns found.
- GDPR-K:What Ludograph checks: whether age assurance and consent flows are designed for under-16s, in the spirit of GDPR Article 8.: Estimated from review data. No privacy or child-targeting concerns found.
- ODDS:What Ludograph checks: whether paid random-reward drop rates are disclosed, as required in China, Japan and South Korea.: Estimated from review data. No paid random-reward mechanics found, so drop-rate disclosure requirements do not apply.
These reflect Ludograph's assessment of the game's design practices against each framework's criteria, not a legal compliance determination.