Soma system requirements revealed, preorders are now live

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Frictional Games has revealed the system requirements for Soma, the sci-fi horror-fest that will be out next month. It also posted a new "Behind the Music" video in which composer Mikko Tarmia plays an instrument that looks like it belongs in the Star Wars cantina scene and explains how it will make the game even creepier.

Getting down to more practical matters, here's what you'll need to play:

Minimum:

OS: Windows 7 64-bit
CPU: 2.0 GHz Intel Core i3 or AMD A6
RAM: 4GB
Video: Nvidia GeForce GTX 460M series or AMD Radeon HD 5770 (1GB RAM)
HDD: 25GB

Recommended:

OS: Windows 7 64-bit
CPU: 2.9 GHz Intel Core i5 or AMD FX
RAM: 8GB
Video: Nvidia GeForce GTX 480M series or AMD Radeon HD 8770 (2GB RAM)
HDD: 25GB

The low-end minimum requirement opens the door to just about any reasonably-equipped gamer who wants to suffer through Soma, and even the recommended spec isn't particularly onerous. Soma comes out on September 22, but preorders may be placed now at Steam or GOG. If you haven't already, you should also take a look at our July hands-on with the game, in which Andy (the other one) declares that Soma is "shaping up to be a pretty special horror game."

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.