The Game UN:Me: An Psychological Thriller That Blends Survival Horror and Social Deduction Gameplay
The latest Day of the Devs online presentation revealed a number of fascinating future games, but one in particular has seized the imagination: UN:Me. Created by Historia and Shueisha Games, this solo adventure appears to blend the dread-filled setting of a Silent Hill title with the suspicion-driven heart of Among Us.
"It's a distinctive game where a girl harboring multiple human souls inside her needs to flee from a labyrinth of the mind," states producer Yasukazu Kawai.
Entering a Shattered Mind
In UN:Me, players assume the role of an unnamed heroine seeming to be of high school age. Within her exist four separate personas, each with unique fears and motivations. These entities can take over spontaneously, unleashing their innermost terrors upon her without warning.
Judging by showcased gameplay, much of the narrative takes place within a creepy medical facility, though other scenes show the protagonist exploring a abandoned chapel.
An Environment of Personal Dread
"What makes you fearful of? What causes you uneasy?" poses game director Shun Sasaki. "High places. Small rooms. Authority figures. Elements that seem trivial to others can trigger a deep instinct inside us. This game delves into that concept — anxieties that are unique to every individual."
The central mechanic involves managing whichever soul emerges at any given time. However, these identities will switch involuntarily during gameplay. During exploration, each soul's fears become exaggerated and assault the protagonist one after another. As the persona changes, so does the particular terror the player encounters.
Eerie Aesthetics and a Deadly Choice
At first glance, UN:Me shares striking aesthetic parallels with the Silent Hill series. The hospital is filled with orderlies who all share the same face, with unnervingly wide grins. Figures in the lobby have enormous flowers growing from their heads should be. Floral motifs are a recurring theme, juxtaposing organic elegance with unnatural horror.
Yet, UN:Me introduces a unique twist. Players must determine which of the four entities inhabiting the protagonist is the "real" one. "Each of the personas claims that the body is rightfully them," explains a developer. "Throughout the game, you need to figure out who is authentic."
After a player have deduced a persona is an impostor, they are forced to destroy it. However, since each soul can deceive or obfuscate the truth, it is incredibly simple to make a mistake.
"Maybe you've already eliminated the real [soul] by your own actions," the narration suggests. "The final entity remaining could be a fake. Either way, your choices are irreversible."
UN:Me does not yet have a confirmed release date, but it is can be wishlist on platforms.
