UN:Me: An Cerebral Horror That Blends Survival Horror with Social Deduction Gameplay
The recent Day of the Devs online presentation revealed several fascinating future games, but one in particular has captured the imagination: UN:Me. Created by Historia and Shueisha Games, this single-player experience appears to blend the dread-filled setting of a Silent Hill game with the suspicion-driven heart of Among Us.
"This is a distinctive experience where a girl containing several human souls within her needs to flee from a labyrinth of the psyche," explains producer Yasukazu Kawai.
Entering a Shattered Consciousness
In UN:Me, players take control of an unnamed female protagonist who appears to be of high school age. Inside her exist four distinct personas, each with their own anxieties and motivations. These entities can seize control spontaneously, releasing their innermost phobias upon her suddenly.
Judging by showcased footage, much of the action unfolds within a eerie hospital, while additional clips depict the protagonist exploring a abandoned chapel.
A World of Individual Dread
"What makes you afraid of? What causes you uneasy?" poses creative lead Shun Sasaki. "Heights. Confined spaces. People in power. Things that seem trivial to other people can activate a deep instinct within us. This game explores that concept — fears that are specific to each person."
The core gameplay loop involves managing whichever soul surfaces at any given time. However, these identities will switch against your will during gameplay. During exploration, every persona's anxieties become amplified and assault the girl in succession. As the persona changes, so does the specific fear the player encounters.
Unsettling Visuals and a Deadly Decision
At first glance, UN:Me displays noticeable visual similarities with the Silent Hill series. The setting is filled with orderlies all sporting the same face, with unnervingly wide smiles. Patients in the waiting room have enormous flowers where their heads are. Flowers are a recurring element, juxtaposing natural beauty with supernatural dread.
Yet, UN:Me introduces a singular twist. Players must determine which of the four entities haunting the heroine is the "real" one. "Each of the personas asserts that the physical form is rightfully them," explains a developer. "During the game, you must determine who is authentic."
Once players believes a soul is an impostor, they are forced to destroy it. But, since every entity can lie or obfuscate the truth, it is very easy to make a mistake.
"Maybe you've already eliminated the real [soul] by your own actions," the narration states. "The final entity standing might be a fraud. Either way, your choices are irreversible."
UN:Me currently lacks a publicly announced release date, but it is available to follow on platforms.
