Unknown 9: Awakening feels like it was ripped straight from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. A hero with a deceased mentor? Check. Superpowers? Check. Mysterious organizations with sinister plans to exploit those powers? You know it. Haroona, a woman who can harness psychic abilities from a parallel dimension known as the Fold, takes center stage with her unwavering sense of justice and impressive arsenal of powers.
While the story might follow familiar superhero tropes, what truly captivated me during a 60-minute hands-on demo at PAX West was the game’s captivating world-building and the way it encourages players to experiment with Haroona’s abilities. Admittedly, I was initially overwhelmed trying to juggle all of Haroona’s powers within the first few minutes. However, once I got the hang of it, I was seamlessly switching between abilities, even if I missed a few attacks along the way.
The demo was split into two sections. The first introduced Haroona through a bar fight in a seemingly ordinary village (complete with a ton of helpful tutorials). The second section jumps ahead to a later chapter, where Haroona is grieving the loss of her mentor. She joins forces with a supporting character to seek revenge for their death, leading them into a jungle teeming with enemies determined to protect their base.
Unknown 9’s world is meticulously detailed, drawing inspiration from real-world locations spanning from India to Portugal. I had the chance to experience two distinct environments firsthand. The first part of the demo took place in a small town filled with blocky, clay-colored buildings and robed townspeople. The second part transported me to a lush jungle in an undisclosed location, with abandoned machinery and crumbling ruins scattered across the landscape.
Throughout both sections, I advanced Haroona’s story by utilizing the core gameplay mechanics of Unknown 9. Haroona’s first ability, which I learned during the introductory bar fight, allows her to temporarily take control of her opponent’s body. I used one grunts stun weapon to shock his partner before finishing him off with Haroona’s own skills. This ability proved to be invaluable, especially in crowded areas where enemies outnumbered me. It gave Haroona the edge by ensuring she never faced overwhelming odds.
Another ability allows Haroona to temporarily vanish and execute a sneak attack from behind an enemy. In scenarios with just two enemies, I could position myself behind one and instantly knock him out before engaging the other in a one-on-one confrontation. I discovered that the timing and positioning for this attack were quite sensitive. A slight miscalculation could leave me in a vulnerable position.
These abilities, along with others, forced me to think strategically and utilize my surroundings. Unknown 9 makes each power feel like it has a tangible purpose, rather than simply being flashy effects. I couldn’t simply charge into an enemy hideout like in other games. I needed to plan my approach carefully, which made each victory feel more rewarding. It’s this depth and thoughtfulness that I hope to see further developed in the final release.
Unknown 9: Awakening is set to launch for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and PS5 on October 18th. This is a game that promises to deliver an action-packed adventure with a unique blend of superhero elements and strategic combat. I’m eager to see how the developers expand upon the world-building and gameplay mechanics in the final product.
