Still Wakes the Deep Xbox Series X Review

Still Wakes the Deep Xbox Series X Review – Isolation and Horror Collide

There aren’t many games set entirely on an oil rig, though it seems a perfect setting for horror—isolated in the pitch-dark ocean, with limited space and no clear escape. The feeling of being cornered, combined with the relentless pressure of survival, creates a powerful test of a character’s resilience, endurance, and fortitude. Still Wakes the Deep seizes on this, pushing Cameron “Caz” McLeary to his breaking point as he battles other-worldly forces while desperately seeking a way off the rig.

Set in Scotland over the Christmas of 1975, the festive season provides a stark contrast to the horrors unfolding on the rig, which remains industrial and desolate, devoid of any festive cheer or seasonal wintriness. For Caz, it begins as just another day at work, enduring the grim conditions and dealing with his overbearing boss, Rennick, who eventually fires him. Despite this, he manages to cope thanks to the camaraderie of his fellow workers, who share a determined resolve to lift each other’s spirits in the face of their bleak environment. The workers are some of the most authentic and grounded characters in gaming, making the horror all the more personal. These aren’t just faceless colleagues, but individuals Caz knows, respects, and wants to protect, which adds real depth to the stakes.

As Caz goes about his duties, news of a drilling accident sets a chain of events into motion, leading to the rig’s invasion by a bizarre iridescent creature. This entity slowly extends its reach across the rig, consuming both its structure and inhabitants. The game draws heavily on The Thing for inspiration, which is evident in the creature’s design and its parasitic relationship with the workers. Thanks to the excellent, natural voice acting, you can feel the characters’ panic and despair as they realise the creature’s hold on the rig is tightening, the rig crashing down around them. However, even in the most hopeless of moments, they cling to a flickering hope that they might escape.

Caz’s primary goal is simple: get off the rig. However, he’s cursed with the luck of a tragic action hero, as each plan he sets into motion goes horribly wrong. First, the workers are ordered to evacuate, but the rescue helicopter leaves with some still stranded and ultimately crashes. Then, the lifeboats fail, plunging into the ocean. The game follows this relentless cycle of failed escape plans and fresh obstacles. Caz’s desperation to survive is underscored by his longing to see his two daughters again, driving him to push through his fear and fatigue.

“The gameplay is primarily linear, with Caz running, jumping, and climbing through maze-like corridors and over precarious metal platforms, navigating from one plan to the next.”

In flashbacks, we glimpse Caz’s past—he has a wife and two daughters, and after a troubling run-in with the police, he and his friend Roy decided to seek refuge on the rig. His marriage is strained, tested by the pressures of his situation and the unknowns surrounding his future. Thanks to superb voice acting, these arguments feel authentic, bringing added depth to Caz’s character. We’re drawn into his struggles and come to root for him not only to survive but to find redemption and reconciliation.

The gameplay is primarily linear, with Caz running, jumping, and climbing through maze-like corridors and over precarious metal platforms, navigating from one plan to the next. These sequences are punctuated by unsettling encounters with the monsters roaming the rig. The creature that has overtaken the rig has also absorbed its workers, who retain fragments of their former selves even as they pursue fresh victims in their monstrous, twisted forms. Caz is their primary target, and he must evade them using stealth. He does this by using vents and other means of cover, and can also pick up items to throw to distract enemies.

However, these stealth sections feel a touch too forgiving. The gameplay allows for ample vents and cover points, making it relatively easy to slip past enemies. It would have been more effective if there were moments where Caz had to traverse exposed areas, adding a true sense of vulnerability and heightening the danger, yet these stealth sections rarely reach the heights of tension they could have. Additionally, the creature’s tendrils sometimes clip through the vents, breaking immersion. And while you can pick up objects to distract the monsters, the abundance of hiding spots and briefness of these sections make this mechanic feel a little underutilised.

That said, the monsters themselves are memorable. Each has a distinct, unsettling design—some small enough to pursue you in tight spaces (though, thankfully, not the vents), while others are towering and menacing. Adding to the horror is the fact that the mosters are Caz’s colleagues and retain traces of their humanity, giving the creatures a disturbingly personal edge. These aren’t just faceless threats; they’re people Caz once knew, who even speak to him in their deformed states, their gurgling voices adding a layer of creepiness as they slither and crawl about trying to find you. This blurring of ally and enemy adds a unique layer of psychological horror.

What really makes Still Wakes the Deep stand out is its pacing and atmosphere. The game balances frantic action set pieces with moments of platforming and breaks to flashbacks, creating a tense rhythm that mirrors Caz’s emotional journey. The sound design and visuals add a palpable weight to the experience, from the metallic groans of the rig, the cold gushing winds and rain outside, to the ominous quiet of its now abandoned, liminal spaces. The 1970s setting also lends a subtle charm, with outdated equipment and communications amplifying the isolation—there’s no quick call for help here, no modern tech to lean on. What’s more, the game also has some backtracking, but not in the usual sense. Caz will sometimes have to revisit areas to complete other tasks, and you can see the change in environments as the rig falls apart, adding to the sense of urgency to escape.

Still Wakes the Deep Xbox Series X Review Summary: A Gripping, Atmospheric Triumph in gaming Horror

Overall, Still Wakes the Deep offers a gripping horror experience set against a unique and atmospheric backdrop. The game’s relentless cycle of failed escape plans, combined with its well-constructed protagonist and eerie antagonists, make it a standout for fans of character-driven horror. While the stealth mechanics could use more tension, the game’s storytelling, characters and immersive setting more than compensate. For players who appreciate well-crafted, atmospheric horror and a protagonist with real emotional stakes, this game is a haunting, unforgettable journey worth embarking on.