Building a multimedia universe from the ground up that features books, podcasts, comics, a live action web series and of course videogames can’t be easy, or cheap. Especially with a new IP at the helm. But, hats off to Bandai Namco, as they are giving it a crack. Unknown 9: Awakening, by Reflector Entertainment, is set in that new universe and looks to be the starting point for what follows on the grander stage.

It’s also worth mentioning that Awakening is full-fat proper game, and not a walking sim, as some dopes on the internet would have you believe.

Into the Fold

You play as Haroona – a young woman from the streets of Kolkata, India – who has mysterious powers within herself, allowing the manipulation of the unseen. But following the death of your mentor, you set out to get revenge on those who killed her mentor.

Games like Uncharted PS5 PS4 Xbox Bandai Namco

Along the way, you’ll also try to understand her powers better. You’ll uncover a mysterious other dimension, known as The Fold, that has some answers as to the nature of your amazing abilities.

Recharted

Unknown 9: Awakening tells its tale in a very cinematic way. The game’s tone and storytelling are somewhere between Uncharted series and modern Wolfenstein. You are in a ‘What if’ world of the roaring 1920s through a steampunk lens. There’s a late Arthur Conan Doyle vibe to the journey across Africa, unmasking secret societies and have a jolly good time doing it all.

Unknown 9: Awakening Africa Portugal India

And Unknown 9: Awakening tells a solid tale within its strong narrative style. It’s well-paced and perfectly blends cut scenes with in-engine scenes and moment-to-moment conversations with the cast.

The dialogue, too, is well-written, even witty at times, and supports the game’s story and world building.These moments are never more front and centre than when you’re on your airship, which is your home base.

Coolest home bases in video games dirigible air ship roaring twenties

After each mission, you can chat with the crew in a very Mass Effect 2 way. However, Haroona never seems to evolve beyond her untrusting and often standoffish ways, regardless of how many times your crew save your backside.

Puzzle Action, Puzzle Stealth, Puzzle Platform

Unknown 9: Awakening fuses a few action genres, but has a real puzzle-solving core to it. Stealth sections, for example, begin as traditional hide-and-seek fare.

Unknown 9: Awakening desert level biome map

However, once you pick up a few powers, the options open up massively and the scenarios increase in complexity. In particular, the ability to ‘possess’ your enemies for a short time becomes a powerful problem-solver.

The stronger you become; you’ll be able to jump from one enemy to the next. Meaning that if you time it just right, by the time you are done and time resumes everyone will hit the floor in a flash and a bang.

Colonial India British Raj in media Unknown 9

What you do in that short time controlling the enemy grunt is your call. Melee his mates, break an alarm system, or just blow up a barrel killing everyone nearby. After a while, it’s more brainpower than skill – Unknown 9: Awakening infuses a little bit of puzzle into everything.

Carrot and Stick

It’s great feeling when it all comes together, but a pain when it doesn’t. Often enough, you’ll have to revert to hand-to-hand combat when your brainpower fails you. You’re no tank and the enemies are well equipped – expect to try, try again.

Unknown 9: Awakening possess power upgrade

There are also enemies that will render your powers pointless. When these lads start getting thrown into the mix, combat can become a grind. Sustained bouts of combat aren’t as satisfying or as smooth as the puzzle aspects. And, it’s a real let-down to realise that these types of melee engagements happen more and more often as you go on.

I Know It’s Urgent, But…

To find all the unlocks/secrets of Unknown 9: Awakening, you’ll have to explore the area. However, doing so will see your NPC companions moan at you constantly to get back on track and get the mission done.

And, you get this type of chat on the airship, too. If you take too long talking to your crew and enjoying the game’s rich and developed world, you’ll get barked at to get a move on. Despite such excellent world building, vibe, characters and dialogue, the game doesn’t seem to want to let you enjoy it.

Unknown 9: Awakening is a visual mixed bag. The world and locations look amazing. Each area carries the game’s strong art and design. However, the character models, especially the faces, leave a lot to be desired.

Unknown 9: Awakening explore areas Levels ruins artifacts

Voice acting, though, is very good, featuring a nice mix of period accents to sell it. The soundtrack is similarly excellent, and allows you be sucked into the game further.

Going Off the Rails

Unknown 9: Awakening starts out very strongly with an engaging tale and fun action puzzling. But, about half way through it all flips from fun to a chore. Once the game focuses on enemy-heavy rooms, sets a horde on you, and mostly takes your powers’ effectiveness away, that brain-powered action you enjoyed never really returns.

Unknown 9 Awakening shockwave move Ascension Letter

That said, there are hints at an interesting wider universe here. Seeds will be sown in many of you want to check out the other projects in the Unknown 9 family. It’s just a real shame that Awakening woke up too quickly, as its dreamy first half was a hit.