Somerville is an ambitious debut game from the independent studio Jumpship. The game, developed by a team led by Dino Patti, a co-founder of Playdead, is an adventure game with a lot to offer players. Somerville was released on November 15, 2022, for Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

 Upon release, the game received mixed reviews. The game is set in a mysterious and atmospheric world that is both beautiful and unsettling. The graphics are stunning, with a unique art style that immerses the player in the game’s world. The sound design is also top-notch, adding to the game’s eerie atmosphere.

Unique Gameplay Presentation Using the Environment

Somerville is an adventure game that presents its story without dialogue or narration. Instead, it uses the setting, environments, and animations to tell the story. The player takes on the role of the father of an everyday family as an alien invasion begins and must guide the family across various environments, some of which are patrolled by alien creatures and machines. The father character can perform some basic actions, such as pushing open gates or pulling carts.

As the game progresses, the father character gains alien powers that allow him to interact with a strange alien substance. This substance can be instantly liquified or solidified when it comes in contact with a light source. This substance opens up new possibilities for the player, as they can use the alien powers to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles.

Perfectly Crafted World that Keeps You Entranced

Somerville’s game world is truly a sight to behold. The game’s art style is distinct and immediately captures the player’s attention. The game’s environments are carefully crafted, with a level of detail that immerses the player in the game’s world. The colour palette is muted and subdued, adding to the game’s eerie and unsettling atmosphere. The game’s lighting is also noteworthy, with shadows and highlights used to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

Exquisite Sound Design

The sound design in Somerville is also top-notch. The soundtrack is atmospheric and adds to the game’s eerie tone. The sound effects are also well done, with subtle sounds that add to the game’s immersive quality. The voice acting is also noteworthy, with the game’s characters delivering their lines with conviction and emotion.

Somerville’s art style and sound design work together to create a truly immersive and atmospheric experience for the player. The game’s world is beautiful and unsettling, and it draws the player in from the start, making it an unforgettable experience.

The Gameplay is a Mix of Exploration, Puzzle-Solving, and Stealth

The puzzles are challenging and require a bit of thought to solve, but they’re not impossible. The stealth elements are also well-implemented, and the game offers a lot of replayability as you try to complete the game without being detected.

The game’s environments are open and encourage exploration, with hidden areas and secrets to discover. The puzzles in the game are challenging and require a bit of thought to solve, but they are not impossible. They are well-designed and integrated into the game’s story and environment. The puzzles are not just an obstacle to progress but also a way to immerse the player in the game’s world and story.

Stealth Element Add an Exciting Layer to the Game

The stealth elements in Somerville are well-implemented and add a new layer of depth to the gameplay. The game’s enemies have different behaviours, and the player must use stealth and strategy to avoid them. In addition, the game also offers choices and multiple endings. The player’s choices and actions throughout the game can significantly impact the story and the outcome. This feature also adds a level of replayability, as the player can revisit the game and make different choices to see how it affects the story and the ending.

The Intriguing Story, Well-Written Characters, and Superb Voice Acting Make it a Captivating and Immersive Experience.

The story of Somerville is intriguing and keeps the player guessing until the end. The game is set in a mysterious world with a dark and unsettling tone, and it gradually unveils the story as the player progresses through the game. The game’s story is well-written and well-crafted, with a good balance of mystery, suspense, and intrigue. The game’s story is also thought-provoking and makes the player reflect on the choices they make and the consequences that come with them.

The game’s characters are well-written and add depth and richness to the story. The characters are complex and have their motivations and backstory. The player’s interactions with the characters also affect the story, and the player’s choices can significantly impact the character’s fate. The voice acting is superb and adds to the game’s immersive quality.

In addition, the game also explores themes of morality, guilt, and redemption. The game’s story is not just about solving the world’s mystery but also about the player’s moral choices and how they affect the world around them. The game’s story is not just a passive experience; it actively involves the player in the storytelling process and makes them reflect on the themes it explores. Overall, the story of Somerville is one of the game’s standout features, leaving a lasting impression on the player. The game’s story is not just a means to an end but an essential part of the game that makes it stand out among other games in the genre.

Conclusion

Somerville is an excellent debut game from Jumpship. The game’s unique art style, atmospheric world, challenging puzzles, and intriguing story make it a game that’s well worth playing. It also offers a thought-provoking story that makes the player reflect on their choices and the consequences that come with them. Even though the game received mixed reviews upon release, it’s a solid game worth your time and attention.