Unknown 9: Awakening Game Review – An Entertaining Yet Forgettable Adventure into the Spirit Realm

After a tantalizing teaser four years prior, Unknown 9: Awakening has finally made its debut. Created by Reflector Entertainment, a Bandai Namco subsidiary, this highly anticipated project excited many gamers over the years—yet it appears to fall short of the lofty expectations that accompanied it. Unfortunately, the answer to whether it meets the anticipated standard may leave a number of fans disheartened.

This disappointment is particularly puzzling as Awakening marks the inaugural entry into the Unknown 9 multimedia franchise, creating a less-than-ideal first impression. Let us delve into what Unknown 9: Awakening excels at and where it falters in this comprehensive review.

The Promising Lore of Unknown 9: Awakening Misses the Mark

The journey begins (Image via Bandai Namco Entertainment)

Unknown 9: Awakening kicks off with a backdrop that introduces its intriguing in-game lore, centered around an ancient civilization known as the Sahin. Within this society, a group known as the Unknown 9 discovered a method to transcend the cycle of life and death. Millennia later, different factions are racing against time to unlock the secrets held by this group, which ultimately could determine humanity’s destiny—undeniably a captivating plot concept.

Enter our main character, Haroona. Growing up on the streets of Kolkata during the 19th century, she is classified as a Quaestor (pronounced Questor), referring to adept wielders of Umbral magic. They tap into an alternate realm called the Fold, sourcing a type of energy known as Am. However, Haroona soon becomes embroiled in a clash of power between the malevolent Ascendants faction and the allied Leap Year Society.

Vincent, the game’s primary antagonist, leads the Ascendants, aiming to utilize Am to shape humanity according to his vision, directly opposing the principles upheld by the Unknown 9. In contrast, the Leap Year Society seeks to uncover the mysteries of the Fold to aid humanity and thwart Vincent’s machinations. As the narrative unfolds, Haroona travels to various locales, from vibrant cities and ancient ruins to lush woodlands and mercenary camps.

Make new enemies and also new allies (Image via Bandai Namco Entertainment)

Along the way, she encounters a range of NPCs, including Luther, a cunning gunslinger and founder of the Leap Year Society, as well as Buchra, a scientist who aids Haroona in her fight against Vincent. Despite the diverse array of characters, few make a lasting impression, including the antagonist who makes an early appearance.

The situation is worsened by the Journal feature, which is sporadically updated with new information and Haroona’s insights. However, the overly complex language and lengthy prose deter most players from engaging with it. This is unfortunate, especially considering that Unknown 9: Awakening is intended to be the launchpad for a larger multimedia franchise, which already includes various web series and comics.

Nevertheless, the narrative of Unknown 9: Awakening keeps a reasonable pace throughout.

Familiar Gameplay Mechanics

The gameplay, while serviceable, is nothing new (Image via Bandai Namco Entertainment)

Now, turning our attention to the gameplay of Unknown 9: Awakening; while it fares better than the weak storytelling, it also has its flaws. Primarily, this title is a third-person linear action-adventure game, characterized by melee combat enhanced by magical powers, stealth segments, and exploration opportunities. The game is divided into chapters, where Haroona navigates various settings, alternating between exploration, cinematic cutscenes, and combat encounters.

Due to its linear structure, there is no map available, though players can diverge from the main path to discover enhancements for her magical abilities and collectibles. Much of the game’s mechanics appear to be inspired by other successful titles such as Hellblade and A Plague Tale. This could be a boon if executed well, but it poses significant risks if not handled with care. Before determining which category Unknown 9: Awakening falls into, let’s highlight its strengths—and notably, its powers.

Haroona wields Am powers that assist her during combat and exploration. These vary from basic actions like pushing or pulling objects in her surroundings to tossing ghostly “pebbles”for distraction, alongside more intricate abilities like becoming invisible or temporarily controlling enemies. These latter skills are particularly fun, allowing for creative interactions, like manipulating foes or destroying alarms.

Take control of enemies in real-time (Image via Bandai Namco Entertainment)

While this aspect shows a commendable amount of creativity, the positives stop there. In a single word, I would label the overall experience as “generic.”The comparisons to titles such as A Plague Tale are warranted; the gameplay in Unknown 9: Awakening feels like a compilation of elements seen in other games, many of which present the mechanics in a more engaging manner.

From traversing ledges to crawling through rocky passages and stealthily hiding in tall grass, spotting opponents with X-ray vision, and executing stealth kills, Unknown 9: Awakening adheres predictably to established formulas—in ways that became tedious. While the gameplay loop becomes predictable early on, it is somewhat redeemed by the interesting use of mind-control powers.

The skill tree also follows a predictable path, offering basic enhancements such as prolonged cloaking and quieter movement. Fortunately, these upgrades (known as Anomalies) are fairly distributed throughout the game, often hidden in less-traveled areas, providing a manageable sense of pacing. Nonetheless, where Unknown 9: Awakening truly struggles is in its combat.

While the deja vu can be excused, the clumsy execution cannot (Image via Bandai Namco Entertainment)

When detected during stealth or opting for a full-frontal assault, Haroona has access to light and heavy punches to take down her enemies. These foes generally fall into cliché categories, such as melee fighters, ranged users, or brutes. As players progress, she unlocks additional powers like a shield for blocking projectiles, as well as various upgrades in the skill tree, including parrying, extra dodges, and powerful combos.

A damage indicator reflects incoming attacks from off-screen enemies reminiscent of God of War (2018). However, these efforts seem futile when the combat feels awkward and repetitive throughout. The lack of impact during intense boss encounters makes Haroona’s clumsy flailing all the more apparent. The stealth mechanics suffer similarly with AI that can be easily outsmarted. Furthermore, the awkward takedown animations clash with the intended fluidity of the gameplay experience.

Though I preferred a stealth-oriented approach, the level design in Unknown 9: Awakening felt contrived. This largely stems from the numerous explosive canisters scattered throughout the environment, giving it an unoriginal feel that could have benefitted from more creative opportunities for environmental interaction.

Visuals, Performance, and Sound Quality

Explore various natural and urban environments in Unknown 9: Awakening (Image via Bandai Namco Entertainment)

As an Unreal Engine 4 title, Unknown 9: Awakening showcases some of the strengths and weaknesses of a first-time development team. Evidence of this appears in clumsy animations and uneven graphics quality in certain segments. The technical performance can be erratic, with Haroona occasionally becoming stuck in the environment’s geometry and instances of enemies looping in place.

I also encountered a UI glitch where menu inputs were unresponsive, necessitating an alt-F4 exit. The review was conducted on a PC with the following specifications:

CPU: Intel Core i7-12650H
RAM: 16 GB
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX3070Ti (8GB)
SSD: 1 TB

Despite achieving a generally stable frame rate of 50-60 FPS at 1440p on High settings, fluctuations occurred in moments that seemed incongruous, such as within the airship known as The Morning Star. It is hoped that these concerns will be resolved by the time of its launch on October 18, 2024.

Sound design presents a mixed experience; while Anya Chalotra (famed for her role in The Witcher 3 Netflix series) delivers a commendable performance as Haroona, the enthusiasm of some other characters lacks the same vigor. Ultimately, Unknown 9: Awakening can be described as a passable experience.

Final Thoughts

It isn't bad but not deserving of the 'good game' label either (Image via Bandai Namco Entertainment) — It isn’t bad but not deserving of the “good game” label either (Image via Bandai Namco Entertainment)

Amid its numerous shortcomings, Unknown 9: Awakening manages to provide some entertainment with its magical abilities. However, those eagerly awaiting this mystical journey may find themselves disillusioned with a product that falls short of expectations.

The game’s lackluster writing, forgettable characters, and awkward gameplay detract from the overall experience, despite the intriguing premise and engaging powers. Given the significant hype surrounding this IP, it seems the creators may have taken on more than they could handle.

Those interested in the game might be wise to wait for a sale before purchasing Unknown 9: Awakening on their preferred platform.