ONTOS: Spiritual Successor to SOMA Delayed Until Next Year

The release of ONTOS, described as the spiritual successor to the horror title SOMA, has been delayed until next year, according to a report by TrueGaming. The title is developed by Frictional Games, the studio responsible for the 2015 sci-fi horror game SOMA.

Why was ONTOS delayed?

Frictional Games shifted the release window for ONTOS to next year to ensure the project meets the studio’s quality standards. While the developer has not released a specific new date, the delay moves the launch beyond the current calendar year. This follows the studio’s history of iterative development, as seen with their previous titles Amnesia: The Dark Descent and SOMA.

What is the connection between ONTOS and SOMA?

ONTOS is positioned as a spiritual successor to SOMA, meaning it shares thematic or mechanical DNA rather than being a direct narrative sequel. SOMA focused on consciousness, identity, and survival in a dystopian underwater facility. TrueGaming notes that ONTOS aims to build upon these foundations, though specific plot details remain under wraps by the developer.

How does this fit Frictional Games’ release history?

Frictional Games has a track record of focusing on atmospheric, narrative-driven horror. The studio’s move to delay ONTOS mirrors the cautious approach they took with SOMA, which transitioned from a conceptual “spiritual successor” to Amnesia into a standalone philosophical horror experience. By pushing the date to next year, the studio avoids a rushed launch during the current competitive gaming cycle.

Frictional Games has not provided further details regarding the specific platforms for the ONTOS launch.