In SOMA, players step into the shoes of Simon Jarrett after his awakening in the depths of the underwater research facility known as PATHOS-II. Simon’s journey is multifaceted, driven by the urgent need to uncover the fate of the facility and secure the ARK, a digital ark containing the consciousness of humans, which stands as humanity’s last chance for survival in the wake of a catastrophic comet impact on Earth.

Simon’s main objectives involve a thorough exploration of PATHOS-II’s labyrinthine environments, where he must piece together the facility’s tragic backstory while confronting a host of existential threats, particularly those posed by the rogue WAU AI, which has gone awry and taken control over many of the installations and creatures within the facility. Players must strategize on how best to circumvent or engage with these threats, ultimately leading Simon to Site Tau, the designated location for the ARK.

A crucial aspect of fulfilling Simon’s mission involves securing transportation—whether it be by retrieving the DUNBAT submarine or creating an improvised mobile body that can traverse the ocean floor. Throughout this dangerous odyssey, Simon encounters Catherine, a digital consciousness who assists him, adding rich layers to the narrative as they work together to ensure the ARK’s operational integrity.

The gameplay is steeped in tension, not only due to the environmental hazards and monstrous creatures patrolling the halls of PATHOS-II but also due to the philosophical dilemmas that arise. Players are frequently confronted with decisions that probe the very nature of humanity, such as the implications of consciousness, identity, and the ethics of digital immortality. These scenarios push players to reflect on what it truly means to be human in a world where the definition is increasingly blurred.

In essence, Simon’s journey through PATHOS-II serves as an exploration of identity and survival against a backdrop of environmental catastrophe. Players are compelled to navigate a dangerous world, make profound choices, and ultimately work towards a goal that questions the essence of life itself, all while striving to rescue the ARK and, by extension, preserve human consciousness in an increasingly hostile world.