UN:Me: An Cerebral Thriller Merging Silent Hill and Social Deduction Mechanics
The recent Day of the Devs digital showcase unveiled several fascinating future games, but one in particular has captured attention: UN:Me. Created by Historia and Shueisha Games, this solo experience appears to fuse together the oppressive atmosphere of a Silent Hill game with the paranoid deduction core 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," explains producer Yasukazu Kawai.
Entering a Fractured Mind
In UN:Me, players assume the role of an unnamed heroine who appears to be of teenage years. Inside her reside four distinct souls, all possessing unique fears and drives. These entities can take over at will, releasing their deep-seated terrors upon her suddenly.
Judging by revealed footage, much of the action unfolds within a eerie medical facility, though additional clips depict the protagonist navigating a abandoned church.
An Environment of Personal Dread
"What are you fearful of? What causes you uneasy?" poses game director Shun Sasaki. "High places. Small rooms. People in power. Things that appear minor to other people can activate something primal within us. This game explores that concept — fears that are unique to every individual."
The core gameplay loop revolves around controlling the persona that emerges at a particular time. However, these souls will change against your will as you play. While exploring, every persona's fears become amplified and attack the girl in succession. When the soul changes, so does the particular terror the player encounters.
Eerie Aesthetics and a Fatal Decision
At first glance, UN:Me displays striking aesthetic parallels with the Silent Hill series. The hospital is filled with nurses who all share the identical visage, with disturbingly broad smiles. Figures in the lobby have enormous blooms growing from their necks should be. Flowers are an ever-present element, juxtaposing natural beauty with unnatural horror.
Yet, UN:Me introduces a unique mechanic. Players must determine which of the four souls haunting the protagonist is the "true" one. "All four personas asserts 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 fake, they are forced to destroy it. However, because every entity can deceive or hide the reality, it is very easy to make a mistake.
"Perhaps you've already destroyed the true [soul] by your own actions," a voice suggests. "The final entity standing could be a fraud. Either way, your decisions are final."
UN:Me does not yet have a confirmed release date, but it is can be wishlist on platforms.