Sonar Shock

Released

Release Date: May 24, 2024

Action, FPP, Horror, RPG Elements, Humorous, Adventure Elements, Indie Games, Immersive Sim, Singleplayer

A horror immersive sim taking place on board of a Soviet submarine overrun by nightmarish creatures. Sonar Shock tasks us with finding the source of the plague. We also have to interact with the drunken crew, explore the decks and use weapons to deal with enemies.

8.2

Steam

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[0:22] Sonar Shock - Release Date Trailer

 Videos: 1 

Images: 7 

Plot
Mechanics
Technical aspects

Sonar Shock is an immersive sim with a horror theme. The game was developed by an independent developer - Raphael Bossniak - for whom the source of inspiration were both iconic dungeon crawlers from the 1990s, as well as the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Plot

Sonar Shock takes us to S1-Utopia, a submarine that is the pinnacle of Soviet technological thought. The sub fells to the trap of dark forces, and there are monsters straight from nightmares on board. During the game we take on the role of one of the crew members of the submarine and we have to fight for survival, while trying to find out what caused the supernatural plague on Utopia.

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Mechanics

In Sonar Shock we watch the action from a first-person perspective (FPP). The submarine consists of four floors, which we can freely traverse, getting to know the people stationed there and talking to them, as well as trading with them and performing various quests for them.

Apart from missions pushing the plot forward, there are various side tasks waiting to be completed here. They include criminal investigations, during which we are accompanied by... Sherlock Holmes himself. The presence of Holmes, as well as the fact that most of the crew is more or less on a roll, show that the game does not take itself entirely seriously. Apart from that, from time to time we have to solve logical and environmental puzzles, which among allow us to access hidden rooms.

We often have to reach for weapons, as the S1-Utopia is teeming with enemies. We primarily encounter grotesque figures inspired by the work of H.P. Lovecraft and Slavic folklore. We eliminate enemies using a rich arsenal - apart from standard firearms, we have more sophisticated murder tools at our disposal, such as flamethrowers or harpoons.

It should be remembered that ammunition is a scarce commodity here, so if possible, it is worth avoiding confrontations with adversaries. Any contact with supernatural beings does not leave our character's mental health unaffected. This means we must keep an eye on the protagonist to prevent a complete nervous breakdown.

Technical aspects

The graphic design of Sonar Shock is maintained in a retro style straight from the second half of the 1990s.

Platforms:

PC Windows

Developer: Raphael Bossniak

Publisher: Raphael Bossniak

Age restrictions: 18+

Similar Games:

System Shock

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

BioShock

System Requirements

System Requirements for Sonar Shock Video Game:

PC / Windows

Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i7-7700HQ 2.8 GHz, 2 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 1050 or better, 800 MB HDD, Windows 7.

Recommended System Requirements:
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X 3.7 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 8 GB Radeon RX 6600 XT or better, 800 MB HDD, Windows 10.

Ratings

Game Ratings for Sonar Shock Video Game.

82%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (224)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Atmosphere and Immersion: The game effectively creates a creepy and engaging atmosphere reminiscent of classic immersive sims like System Shock, with a unique Soviet horror theme.
Creative Mechanics: Players appreciate the manual reloading of weapons and the sanity mechanics, which provide a fresh take on gameplay and enhance the horror experience.
Exploration and Secrets: The game rewards exploration, with players finding hidden items and secrets that contribute to the gameplay experience.
Engaging Story and Writing: Many users found the story intriguing, with some praising the clever writing and the blend of humor and horror elements.
Indie Charm: The game has a wholesome, independent feel, showcasing the effort of a solo developer, which many players find endearing.

The main cons of the game

Performance Issues: A significant number of players reported severe frame rate drops, particularly in later levels, making the game difficult to play at times.
Controls: The tank controls and the lack of standard FPS mechanics (like strafing) were frequently criticized, with many players finding them clunky and frustrating.
Balancing and Resource Management: Players noted issues with resource scarcity, particularly ammunition and health items, which made combat and exploration challenging, sometimes to the point of frustration.
Bugs and Technical Glitches: Several users experienced bugs, including getting stuck in geometry, which affected their overall enjoyment.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

Improved Controls: Many players expressed a desire for more modern control schemes, such as mouse look or WASD movement, to enhance gameplay fluidity.
Better Optimization: Users suggested that the game needed more optimization to handle performance issues, especially given its low-poly graphics.
Enhanced UI Options: Some players wanted the ability to scale the UI or make other adjustments for better visibility and usability.
More Diverse Combat Mechanics: There were calls for additional melee weapons and combat options to enhance gameplay variety, especially in the later stages of the game.

Summary

Overall, "Sonar Shock" is viewed as a promising indie title with a lot of creative potential, but it suffers from technical issues and design choices that hinder the experience for some players.

Summary generated on: October 30, 2025

Sonar Shock

Plot

Mechanics

Technical aspects

Features

System Requirements

Ratings

STEAM Score