The Game UN:Me: A Psychological Horror That Blends Survival Horror and Social Deduction Mechanics
The latest Day of the Devs digital showcase unveiled a number of intriguing future games, but one especially has seized attention: UN:Me. Developed by Historia and Shueisha Games, this solo experience appears to fuse together the dread-filled setting of a Silent Hill title with the suspicion-driven heart of Among Us.
"This is a distinctive experience where a girl harboring multiple human souls inside her must escape from a labyrinth of the mind," explains developer Yasukazu Kawai.
Stepping Into a Shattered Consciousness
In UN:Me, players take control of an unnamed heroine seeming to be of high school age. Inside her exist four separate souls, each with unique anxieties and motivations. These souls can seize control spontaneously, releasing their innermost phobias upon her suddenly.
Based on showcased gameplay, much of the action takes place within a eerie medical facility, while additional clips show the protagonist exploring a abandoned church.
An Environment of Individual Horror
"What makes you afraid of? What makes you uncomfortable?" poses game director Shun Sasaki. "High places. Small rooms. People in power. Elements that seem trivial to other people can trigger a deep instinct within us. This game explores that idea — fears that are unique to each person."
The core gameplay loop involves managing the persona that surfaces at a particular moment. However, these souls will switch involuntarily during gameplay. During exploration, each soul's fears become amplified and assault the protagonist one after another. When the soul shifts, so does the specific fear the player encounters.
Eerie Visuals and a Deadly Decision
Initially, UN:Me shares noticeable aesthetic parallels with the Silent Hill franchise. The hospital is populated by nurses all sporting the same face, with unnervingly wide grins. Figures in the lobby have enormous flowers where their necks are. Floral motifs are an ever-present element, juxtaposing natural beauty 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 souls claims that the physical form is rightfully them," explains a developer. "Throughout the game, you need to figure out who is real."
After a player believes a soul is fake, they are forced to destroy it. But, because every entity can deceive or obfuscate the truth, it is very easy to choose incorrectly.
"Perhaps you've already destroyed the true [soul] by your own actions," a voice suggests. "The last one remaining could be a fake. Either way, your decisions are final."
UN:Me does not yet have a confirmed release date, but it is can be wishlist on platforms.
