SOMA’s Non secular Successor ONTOS Delayed to 2027

When Frictional Video games launched SOMA again in 2015, the survival horror style skilled a profound, unforgettable shift. As an alternative of relying solely on bounce scares, the studio crafted an unsettling, philosophical sci-fi narrative that compelled gamers to query the very cloth of human consciousness and synthetic life – all whereas delivering an exceptional horror recreation.

Mixed with their work on the Amnesia franchise, the builders have spent years sitting comfortably on a pedestal as undisputed masters of psychological ambiance. Naturally, when phrase initially obtained out that the workforce was engaged on a brand-new cosmic thriller referred to as ONTOS, the group instantly turned its full consideration to it. Nonetheless, it appears our journey into the deep unknown goes to require slightly extra endurance.

A Heavy Delay for an Formidable Imaginative and prescient

In a latest replace shared throughout social media platforms that has despatched ripples throughout the horror group, writer Kepler Interactive, alongside the artistic workforce at Frictional Video games, formally introduced a serious scheduling change for his or her upcoming mission, ONTOS.

As an alternative of hitting storefronts throughout the backend of this yr as initially meant, the extremely anticipated sci-fi thriller has been pushed utterly out of its present calendar slot. ONTOS is now scheduled to make its darkish debut someday in 2027, and, sadly, the event workforce did not present a selected launch window past that broad yr.

Whereas listening to {that a} main title will not make its promised annual deadline is at all times a troublesome capsule to swallow, the builders have been extremely fast to elucidate and make clear why the additional growth time is important for the sport’s general high quality – and it’s really excellent news within the grand scheme of issues.

Based on their assertion, the size of what Frictional Video games is making an attempt to construct this time round has surpassed something they’ve ever tried previously. So, to make sure the fragile layers of horror and environmental storytelling merge seamlessly, speeding the mission out the door merely wasn’t a viable choice.

“ONTOS is our most formidable recreation so far, each when it comes to its measurement and scale, and within the depth and layers of our story and gameplay,” the official joint assertion from Frictional Video games and Kepler Interactive reads. “With a view to ship this imaginative and prescient, we now have determined to push the discharge of ONTOS to 2027.”

So let’s look on the intense aspect for a short second: whereas ready one other full calendar yr for a religious successor to SOMA would possibly really feel agonizing, giving a high-concept psychological recreation extra time within the oven is nearly at all times the suitable transfer. In spite of everything, no person likes the thought of getting to face technical bugs or unpolished gameplay mechanics on high of the principle menace in a horror recreation.

Final however not least, the studio additionally promised that they will not go away us utterly empty-handed till then, confirming that they’re planning to share far more about this mysterious world and its distinctive characters comparatively quickly.

Both means, we must wait just a bit bit longer earlier than we are able to lastly unravel no matter terrifying mysteries are lurking at nighttime corners of this new IP. I am undoubtedly bummed that we can’t get to expertise ONTOS this October, particularly since my spooky season backlog was already screaming for a heavy dose of Frictional Video games’ signature existential dread. But when the top result’s one other sci-fi masterpiece that rivals the brilliance of SOMA, then 2027 actually cannot come quickly sufficient!