The Game UN:Me: An Psychological Thriller Merging Survival Horror with Social Deduction Mechanics
The latest Day of the Devs online presentation revealed a number of fascinating future games, but one especially has seized attention: UN:Me. Created by Historia and Shueisha Games, this solo adventure seems to blend the dread-filled setting of a Silent Hill game with the suspicion-driven core of Among Us.
"This is a unique game where a young woman harboring several human souls inside her must escape from a labyrinth of the mind," states producer Yasukazu Kawai.
Entering a Fractured Mind
In UN:Me, players take control of an unnamed female protagonist seeming to be of teenage years. Inside her exist four separate personas, all possessing their own anxieties and motivations. These souls can take over spontaneously, unleashing their deep-seated phobias upon her suddenly.
Judging by showcased footage, much of the narrative takes place within a creepy hospital, while additional clips show the main character exploring a abandoned chapel.
An Environment of Personal Horror
"What makes you afraid of? What causes you uneasy?" poses creative lead Shun Sasaki. "Heights. Confined spaces. People in power. Elements that seem trivial to others can trigger something primal within us. This game delves into that idea — anxieties that are unique to each person."
The core mechanic involves managing the persona that surfaces at a particular time. However, these identities will change against your will during gameplay. While exploring, every persona's fears become amplified and attack the protagonist one after another. As the persona changes, so does the specific fear the player experiences.
Unsettling Visuals and a Deadly Decision
At first glance, UN:Me displays noticeable aesthetic parallels with the Silent Hill series. The setting is populated by orderlies all sporting the identical visage, with unnervingly wide grins. Patients in the waiting room have large blooms growing from their necks should be. Floral motifs are a recurring element, juxtaposing natural beauty with unnatural horror.
Yet, UN:Me introduces a singular twist. Players are tasked with deducing which of the four entities haunting the protagonist is the "real" one. "All four souls claims that the body is rightfully them," explains a creator. "Throughout the game, you must determine who is authentic."
After a player have deduced a soul is fake, they are forced to destroy it. But, since each soul can lie or hide the truth, it is incredibly simple to choose incorrectly.
"Maybe you've already destroyed the real [soul] by your own actions," a voice suggests. "The final entity remaining could be a fraud. In any case, your decisions are final."
UN:Me does not yet have a publicly announced launch window, but it is available to follow on digital storefronts.
