Unknown 9: Awakening stands out as one of the most captivating upcoming video game releases of 2024. This title, crafted by Montreal’s Reflector Entertainment, aims to offer an immersive narrative experience that goes beyond traditional gameplay, integrating its expansive lore through various media such as comics, novels, and even a dedicated podcast.
The concept of constructing a comprehensive narrative universe that enriches the gaming experience has been a source of excitement since the game’s announcement. As the release date approaches, we were able to discuss the project with its creative director, Christophe Rossignol.
In our conversation, we uncovered essential details regarding Reflector Entertainment’s upcoming title, including the key inspirations that shaped its gameplay, narrative universe, and much more.
Insights from Unknown 9: Awakening’s Creative Director, Christophe Rossignol about the game, protagonist Haroona, and the “Unknown 9″universe
Q1. From my perspective, Unknown 9: Awakening appears to be an intriguing fusion of my favorite titles, such as Assassin’s Creed, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, and elements from Dishonored due to its possession mechanic. Can you share how you and your team conceptualized this idea? What were the underlying inspirations—other games, literature, films, etc.?
Inspiration for Unknown 9: Awakening emerged from a multitude of sources. The team at Reflector set out to create a game that is part of a larger universe spanning multiple mediums, making it crucial to build rich lore and detailed rules. Our goal was to ensure that the gameplay remained entertaining and featured engaging mechanics. The development of the Stepping feature was particularly pivotal, as it would serve as the cornerstone for our design.
Moreover, we aimed to construct a universe filled with hope and possibilities. Given the current atmosphere of the real world, which often seems devoid of magic, we sought to establish a world brimming with potential. From an ancient civilization that surpassed its era to the enigmatic guardians of wisdom and powerful secret societies, the Unknown 9 universe offers magic, mystery, and adventure at every turn.
Q2. Based on what I’ve seen, Unknown 9 seems to follow a linear approach, focusing heavily on storytelling and combat. Should we expect a linear action-adventure experience similar to Uncharted or Tomb Raider, or will there be significant opportunities for exploration?
Indeed, Unknown 9: Awakening is structured as a narrative-focused game with a linear approach, as we believe this format aligns best with the genre. While there is a main path to follow as you progress through the narrative, you will still have opportunities to explore your environment, uncovering secrets and Anomalies (which serve as skill points) scattered throughout various chapter settings.
Q3. Being the inaugural game in the series, what elements do you anticipate will resonate with players in Unknown 9: Awakening?
Players will likely appreciate the freedom to choose how they approach different situations. Whether opting for stealth, engaging in combat, utilizing the Stepping mechanic to possess enemies, or employing a blend of all strategies, the focus is on mastering the tools at your disposal. Additionally, the game’s narrative is rich, composed of compelling characters, intricate lore, ancient secrets waiting to be unraveled, and enigmatic locations seldom explored in video games.
Q4. The combat system intrigues me, notably its blend of real-time action with strategic elements via the possession mechanic. What inspired the design of Unknown 9’s combat system?
We aimed to grant players a sense of autonomy. The combat system was built around the Stepping mechanic and further refined to allow players to define their tactical approach—whether through direct confrontations or more stealthy maneuvers. Once our design vision began to take shape, we developed our lead character, Haroona, and crafted a narrative that not only supported our gameplay goals but also integrated seamlessly into the larger narrative universe.
Q5. As the premier title in the extended Unknown 9 universe, which includes a podcast, comics, novels, and more, does the game provide a self-contained story suitable for newcomers, or will players need to engage with the additional media?
While Unknown 9: Awakening serves as a vital entry point into the broader world of Unknown 9, each experience within this narrative universe is designed to function as a standalone story. Thus, players can enjoy the game independently, without needing to listen to the podcast or read the comics, and vice versa. For those captivated by the game’s narrative, further exploration into the various Unknown 9 media will unveil a more extensive saga that ties everything together.
Q6. Do you have any encouragement or advice for players eager to step into Haroona’s shoes come October 18th?
The game will equip you with a diverse range of powers and skills, and we encourage you to utilize them all! Have fun manipulating enemies with Push and Pull, crafting shields, blending into your surroundings, and stepping into foes to create spectacular chain reactions. We’re excited to see how players tackle unique challenges in the game. For fans of the story, we recommend checking out the other adventures within the Unknown 9 universe, including the podcast, novels, comics, and more—many of which are available now and for free!
Unknown 9: Awakening is set for release on October 18, 2024, across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC.
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