"SOMA," a creation of Frictional Games, is a survival horror video game that profoundly explores the themes of consciousness, identity, and the essence of human existence. Set in the distant future of 2104, the narrative unfolds within PATHOS-II, an underwater research facility situated in the North Atlantic Ocean. Initially intended for thermal mining and space technology, PATHOS-II transforms into humanity's last bastion following a devastating comet impact on Earth. This backdrop serves as an arena for the exploration of existential questions and the disconcerting implications of artificial intelligence and transhumanism.
The central character of the game, Simon Jarrett, unexpectedly finds himself in PATHOS-II under enigmatic circumstances. Having survived a car accident in 2015, which resulted in severe brain damage, Simon participates in an experimental brain scan. The outcome propels him into the year 2104 at PATHOS-II, ushering him into a realm where machines exhibit human traits. This setting, governed by an artificial intelligence known as the Warden Unit (WAU), morphs into a dystopian landscape, blurring the distinctions between human and artificial consciousness. This environment, where machines perceive themselves as human, and human consciousness is digitally preserved, epitomizes the game's exploration of identity and self-awareness.
As Simon navigates through PATHOS-II, he encounters various challenges and ethical dilemmas that highlight the game's core themes. His meeting with Catherine Chun, a brain scan of a PATHOS-II employee embedded in a robot, marks the beginning of a significant partnership. Together, they embark on a quest to retrieve and launch the ARK – a digital haven containing the brain scans of PATHOS-II's staff. Simon's journey is marked by revelations about his own existence, as he discovers that his consciousness is actually a scan from 2015, uploaded into a corpse, raising profound questions about self and identity.
Progressing through the narrative, Simon undertakes the task of creating a new body capable of enduring the deep-sea pressures to access the ARK. This venture culminates in a poignant decision regarding the fate of his former self, encapsulating the game's exploration of consciousness, digital immortality, and the ethical complexities of self-replication.
The climax of "SOMA" is as intellectually stimulating as it is heartbreaking. Simon and Catherine successfully transfer their brain scans into the ARK, yet, in a poignant twist, only their digital copies reach this virtual utopia. Left behind, Simon grapples with the realization that his and Catherine's original forms remain, culminating in Catherine's AI malfunction and Simon's solitary confinement in the ocean's abyss. This denouement accentuates the game's thematic exploration of consciousness continuity and the philosophical ramifications of digital life.
In the post-credits scene, the ARK's version of Simon awakens in an idyllic setting with Catherine, sharply contrasting with the grim, isolated reality he faces in the ocean depths. This contrast underlines the game's central inquiries about the nature of reality, consciousness, and the true essence of life. It leaves players contemplating the nuances of existence and the complex interplay between humanity and technology.
