Probably the most immersive piece of art I have lived through so far.

SOMA managed to make me forget about myself - it catapulted me into Simons story and had me absolutely captivated throughout - so much so that I had to think of the game whenever I wasn't playing it.
In a way, this game has reawakened my belief in narration as experience. I haven't had this level of total absorption into a fictional world since ever; but SOMA had me hold my breath, gasp, scream and gawk in awe.

Frictional Games really wear their inspirations on their sleeves, yet went out of their way to create a completely unique world and simultaneously touch on questions that run deep and made my skin crawl at times.
Talking of which - I'm easily scared and this game had me in shock, looking at the screen for 30 minutes without moving. I was really brought into contact with my fear in a palpable way and had to overcome it so proactively, it felt almost physical to me. However, more versed horror-game enjoyers probably won't have that kind of trouble.

One more thing I have to mention is the level design, which was perfect for a game like this - on the one hand, the setting itself restricts you, but on the other, this very restriction makes the world feel more real - you're trapped below the ocean after all and with time, you really get to feel the pressure of water above, since the world always seems to expand endlessly into the nothingness around you, while you discover the manifold fates of the crew-members - one more terrible than the other.
Simultaneously, SOMA does absolutely not hold your hand - you won't find quest-markers, pop-up maps or any other UI-elements that would distance you from what you see. Instead, you have to write down clues and interact with the game-world to proceed, further enhancing immersion.

Last but not least, I have to say, SOMA really achieves to raise some of Sci-Fis most potent questions in a manner that seems effortless. From minute one we are showered with questions about identity, reality and the nature of humanity that keep us occupied all the way to the end - and while the game has got some amazing and creative answers up its sleeve, it's the questions that are left to linger when the credits roll that really sting and which will stick with me for quite a while.

So there's nothing left to say for me except that I think everyone who is able to put up with the horror-elements should play this game. It is not just one of the best games I have ever played, but one of the best stories I got to experience.