UN:Me: A Cerebral Horror That Blends Survival Horror and Social Deduction Gameplay
The recent Day of the Devs online presentation unveiled several fascinating upcoming titles, but one especially has seized the imagination: UN:Me. Developed by Historia and Shueisha Games, this single-player adventure appears to fuse together the oppressive atmosphere of a Silent Hill title with the suspicion-driven heart of Among Us.
"This is a unique game where a girl harboring several personalities inside her must escape from a labyrinth of the mind," explains developer Yasukazu Kawai.
Entering a Shattered Consciousness
In UN:Me, players take control of an unnamed heroine who appears to be of high school age. Within her exist four distinct souls, all possessing their own fears and motivations. These souls can take over spontaneously, unleashing their deep-seated phobias upon her suddenly.
Judging by revealed footage, much of the narrative takes place within a creepy hospital, while additional clips depict the main character navigating a desolate chapel.
An Environment of Personal Dread
"What are you fearful of? What makes you uneasy?" poses creative lead Shun Sasaki. "High places. Confined spaces. People in power. Elements that seem trivial to others can activate a deep instinct within us. This game explores that idea — anxieties that are specific to each person."
The central gameplay loop revolves around controlling the persona that surfaces at any given time. However, these identities will change involuntarily as you play. While exploring, each soul's fears become exaggerated and attack the protagonist one after another. When the soul shifts, so does the particular terror the player encounters.
Unsettling Visuals and a Deadly Decision
Initially, UN:Me displays striking visual similarities with the Silent Hill franchise. The hospital is filled with nurses all sporting the same face, with unnervingly wide grins. Figures in the waiting room have large blooms where their heads are. Floral motifs are a recurring element, contrasting natural beauty with supernatural dread.
Yet, UN:Me presents a singular mechanic. Players are tasked with deducing which of the four entities inhabiting the heroine is the "true" one. "All four personas asserts that the body is rightfully them," notes a creator. "During the game, you need to figure out who is real."
After a player believes a soul is fake, they must eliminate it. However, because each soul can lie or obfuscate the reality, it is very easy to make a mistake.
"Perhaps you've already eliminated the true [soul] with your own hands," a voice suggests. "The final entity standing might be a fake. In any case, your decisions are final."
UN:Me does not yet have a confirmed launch window, but it is can be follow on platforms.
