A puzzling journey awaits…..
I have always been a fan of single player games as they have been my gateway into the world of gaming. From classic titles like Sonic and Crash Bandicoot to modern masterpieces like The Last of Us and Uncharted series, single player experiences have always captivated me. In a gaming landscape dominated by live service games and massive multiplayer titles, the focus on single player narratives seems to be diminishing. Bandai Namco recently introduced their latest offering, Unknown 9: Awakening, and after spending some time with the game, I must admit that I am left somewhat perplexed.
Why, you may ask? The answer lies in the game’s storyline, which is the cornerstone of any gaming experience. A riveting narrative is what elevates games like Final Fantasy X to legendary status and propels titles like God of War to numerous accolades. Unknown 9: Awakening unfolds a tale shrouded in mystery and intricacy. The plot is dense and challenging to follow, with numerous characters and factions introduced right from the start. Playing as the young Queastor named Haroona, on a quest for vengeance after her Mentor’s apparent demise during a peacekeeping mission in a war-torn land, you wield magical abilities from another realm known as The Fold. With a gameplay duration of 12-15 hours, the storyline demands meticulous attention to detail and constant reference to the in-game Journal to stay abreast of the unfolding events. Did I find the story engaging? The jury is still out on that one.
One undeniable aspect of the game is its stunning visual presentation in certain locations. The 4K graphics are showcased beautifully, and I can envision the game reaching new heights with a potential PS5 Pro patch in the future. However, the voice acting leaves much to be desired, feeling somewhat lackluster. Given the standards set by contemporary games, the voice performances could have been elevated to match the game’s visual splendor.
Equipped with a range of magical powers, Haroona’s gameplay experience feels slightly restrained. While the game features some impressive abilities, such as the ability to ‘Step’ into enemies to temporarily control them, there seems to be a heavier emphasis on stealth akin to early Assassin’s Creed titles. While players can unlock new skills and enhance their abilities as they progress, there is a sense of limitation in the overall gameplay mechanics. Whether this was a deliberate design choice remains uncertain.
While Unknown 9: Awakening exudes a next-gen feel, there are moments where it seems more suited to the PlayStation 4 environment. The game features captivating locales like towns and forests illuminated by moonlight, yet its linear gameplay structure leaves little room for exploration and immersion. A more open-ended approach to exploration would have enhanced the player’s connection to the game world before diving into combat encounters.
Overall, Unknown 9: Awakening stands as a decent gaming experience. While it has its merits, the game falls short of achieving greatness. It may find a more receptive audience when it eventually reaches PS Plus subscribers in the future. This game strives for excellence but ultimately falls shy of its intended mark.
Special thanks to Bandai Namco for providing the PlayStation 5 review code.