UN:Me: A Psychological Thriller That Blends Silent Hill and Social Deduction Mechanics
The latest Day of the Devs digital showcase revealed several intriguing future games, but one especially has seized attention: UN:Me. Developed by Historia and Shueisha Games, this solo adventure seems to fuse together 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 containing multiple personalities inside her must escape from a maze of the psyche," explains developer Yasukazu Kawai.
Stepping Into a Fractured Consciousness
In UN:Me, players assume the role of an unnamed heroine who appears to be of high school age. Within her exist four separate souls, all possessing their own fears and motivations. These entities can take over at will, unleashing their deep-seated terrors upon her without warning.
Based on revealed footage, much of the narrative unfolds within a creepy medical facility, though other scenes show the main character navigating a desolate chapel.
A World of Personal Horror
"What are you fearful of? What causes you uneasy?" asks creative lead Shun Sasaki. "High places. Small rooms. Authority figures. Things that appear minor to others can trigger something primal inside us. This game delves into that concept — anxieties that are unique to every individual."
The core gameplay loop revolves around managing whichever soul surfaces at a particular moment. However, these souls will switch involuntarily as you play. While exploring, each soul's anxieties become amplified and assault the girl one after another. When the soul changes, so does the specific fear the player experiences.
Eerie Visuals and a Fatal Choice
Initially, UN:Me shares noticeable aesthetic parallels with the Silent Hill series. The hospital is populated by nurses who all share the same face, with unnervingly wide grins. Figures in the waiting room have large blooms where their heads should be. Flowers are an ever-present theme, contrasting organic elegance with unnatural horror.
Yet, UN:Me presents a unique mechanic. Players must determine which of the four souls haunting the protagonist is the "true" one. "Each of the personas claims that the body belongs to them," notes a creator. "During the game, you must determine who is authentic."
Once players believes a persona is fake, they are forced to destroy it. But, since every entity can deceive or obfuscate the reality, it is very easy to make a mistake.
"Maybe you've already eliminated the true [soul] with your own hands," a voice suggests. "The last one remaining might be a fraud. Either way, your choices are irreversible."
UN:Me currently lacks a publicly announced release date, but it is can be wishlist on platforms.