Dead Space was a masterpiece when it was released in 2008, and somehow feels even more so remade in 2023, when engrossing singleplayer horror story games are so rare. It threads the needle by doing something original, meaningful, and memorable, while giving appropriate nods to the properties that inspired it. Sixteen years later, much of that quality still shines though, though the inevitability of progress has ground some of the luster off of this title and made the offering feel more limited than it once did.

All in all, it’s an excellent title with a memorable story, though not one where you should pick at the seams too much lest you dampen your enjoyment. It’s a game you should play to experience rather than “beat.” Through a mix of aggressive enemies and sparingly-used scripted sequences, Still Wakes the Deep masterfully orchestrates its cycle of tension, dread, panic, and reprieve, balancing all seasons equally.

‘Single Malt Apocalypse is a great way to spend a few hours. The story, while familiar, is paced and executed well, and the gameplay has just enough depth to remain interesting. It’s a debut that shows promise from the lone developer, and while I don’t think this game will ever be a breakout hit, I look forward to the developer’s sophomore effort and believe we could see some very good things from this creator in the future.’