Unknown 9 – Awakening review (PS5)

Reflector Entertainment’s Unknown 9: Awakening is an interesting blend of mystery, adventure, and supernatural powers, but it doesn’t quite reach its full potential. As you take on the role of Haroona, a young woman with the unique ability to access a parallel dimension called the Fold, you’re thrust into a globe-trotting journey filled with intrigue and hidden threats. The premise, rich with potential, introduces players to a world that merges history and supernatural elements, but despite its ambitious narrative, the storytelling doesn’t always feel as cohesive as it could be. Here’s our take on the PlayStation 5 version.

One of the strongest aspects of Unknown 9 is its setting – something that impressed us when we went hands on with the game during a preview session this summer, and on which the full game delivers in spades. The game offers a variety of exotic and atmospheric locations, from the deserts of Mauritania to the jungles of India and 19th-century Portugal. The environments are visually striking, and the gothic overtones of certain levels add a layer of mystique that perfectly complements the game’s story. However, the narrative itself, though promising, sometimes struggles with pacing issues. The idea of intertwining the Unknown 9 universe across multiple media products is intriguing, but this game doesn’t always offer enough standalone context to make it feel self-contained, leaving players who haven’t explored the broader universe (or aren’t even interested in that) feeling somewhat disconnected.

Gameplay in Unknown 9 is largely centered around Haroona’s ability to manipulate the Fold, which introduces some creative mechanics. You can phase into the Fold to dodge attacks, control enemies, or hurl energy blasts at your foes. These powers create an engaging dynamic in combat, where you can choose between stealthy approaches or more direct assaults. However, while the Fold’s potential is clear, the game doesn’t fully explore or expand upon these abilities as much as you might expect, leaving us wishing for more depth and variety in the mechanics.

The controls in Unknown 9 are intuitive for the most part, but there are moments where they can feel slightly clunky, especially during more frantic combat sequences or when trying to chain together different Fold abilities. While not a dealbreaker, this can detract from the immersion in key moments of the game, and there are certainly other action adventures that “flow” better.

Visually, Unknown 9 impresses with its high-quality textures, design work and striking use of lighting, especially in scenes where the Fold dimension interacts with the real world. These moments are where the game shines, almost literally when you look at the quality of the visuals. The audio design also plays a key role in building atmosphere, with a sometimes eerie soundtrack and well-placed sound effects that heighten the tension as you navigate the game’s darker, more suspenseful areas. However, despite these strong audiovisual elements, technical issues like occasional frame drops and awkward animations can break the flow of the experience at times.

In conclusion, Unknown 9: Awakening offers a compelling premise and some memorable moments, particularly in terms of world-building and atmosphere. But while the story teases larger mysteries and the gameplay introduces innovative mechanics, the game doesn’t quite deliver on all its promises, leaving certain aspects underdeveloped. Fans of supernatural adventures and narrative-driven games will find plenty to enjoy here, but the game feels like it could have achieved more with a bit more polish and focus.

Score: 6.6/10