So far, so good...
Do you remember Defiance? It’s okay if not — truthfully, I barely do myself — but Unknown 9 has sparked something from deep in my brain about it. While the latter is a failed SyFy experiment from 2013 that was meant to work between a TV show and a sprawling MMORPG, the latter is less and more at the same time.
Unknown 9 is larger in terms of the various forms of media that it will be published upon — books, comics, a podcast, and a video game — but potentially smaller in that its video game form — Awakening — is a double-A entry that’s priced accordingly.
Nevertheless, I approached a recent hands-on preview with quite a lot of trepidation. Whilst across its premise, I was very much aware that I hadn’t read the first Unknown 9 novel which is readily available. In fact, upon being presented a copy at the preview event, I instantly recalled that Bandai Namco had already mailed me a copy months prior. Oops.
Thankfully, my PR minder’s insistence that I didn’t need to do my research before playing was legit for the most part. In the video game, which is connected but at arms length from the rest of the franchise, you’ll take the reins of protagonist Haroona (played by The Witcher‘s Yennifer, Anya Chalotra) as she fights against baddies.
As I played, the world of Unknown 9 fleshed itself out. Haroona is a member of the Society — otherwise known as Quaestors, and she fights against baddies who seek to manipulate the secrets for the universe for their own gain. Thankfully, Haroona either wields incredible power through her own person or the armlets that she wears (think the MCU’s Ms Marvel, potentially?) and that makes the fight all the easier.
Haroona taps into what are known as Umbric Abilities. They’re largely fuelled by telekinesis, allowing Haroona to project herself onto — and force herself into — the bodies of others, controlling their very movements after doing so. This is called Stepping, and while it sounds neat, I found myself using it in the first half of my 1.5 hour playthrough to simply buy time.
You see, Haroona can control a person in a very limited fashion. Movement depletes energy, and one possession equates to one real action. Taking control of enemies with clubs, as an example, allows you to let loose a shockwave, whilst controlling those with guns allows you to fire off just one shot. You make your move, and then you’re back in your own body… and it’s a relatively squishy one.
Haroona has other abilities at her disposal — including a push and pull move (eventually) that will either create or restrict space between you and your foes — but the meat and potatoes of her damage really comes from some relatively weak light and heavy attacks.
Stepping is useful in groups of enemies, but I found some associated attacks simply didn’t hit when I thought they should; while possessed enemies show an area of effect, I found that didn’t necessarily compute when triggered.
It’s certainly better when you engage with exploration to find points that increase your abilities — that, plus story progression, lets Haroona Step into multiple enemies in one sequence, making things becomes like a captivating round of Superhot. I honestly wish this quasi-puzzle of combat featured more prominently.
Outside of her powers, Haroona’s attacks are paltry; detracting from her impact, enemies block often and reliably. This means that you really need to keep moving, dodging, going invisible when you can.
The rest of her superpowered Umbric Abilities — which seemingly tap into something called the Fold if you’re trying to immerse yourself in lore — really dictate how you should play. One called Ripple is a distraction tool, essentially letting you create and throw an energy-based rock that draws nearby attention.
The other, Shroud, makes you invisible, allowing you to gain distance between enemies to land attacks, or better still, to perform a one-hit takedown from behind.
It’s with these tools that you realise that there’s much to be gained in Unknown 9 Awakening by going in stealthily. If you’re found out, the best thing to do is land some hits, go invisible, use Step to pit an enemy against another — and hopefully set off a combustible trap nearby — before attempting to reset to the shadows to try again.
Adding to stealth being king is the placement of surveillance equipment in most battle arenas, which requires you to either sneak up to and disable, or Step to an enemy to take out with brute force. It’s here, I should note, that most battle arenas, dispersed between mostly linear paths — make you eliminate everyone within before you can continue on.
While there’s always a bit of disconnect in a preview — you’re getting a slice of what will be on offer, and not the whole shebang — I found Unknown 9 Awakening captivating on its own. Whether or not I’ll delve into the first book in a planned trilogy — of which I now, apparently, have two copies — remains to be seen.
Bandai Namco is giving us all the opportunities in the world to play, however — not only is Unknown 9 Awakening heading to Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PS4, and PS5, it’s carrying that aforementioned double-A price tag of just $69.95 AUD. Expect the title on those platforms from 18 October.
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Unknown 9 Awakening18 October 2024PC PS4 PS5 Xbox One Xbox Series S & X
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Stevivor was flown to Sydney, NSW from Melbounrne, VIC for the purpose of previewing Unknown 9 Awakening. Non-alcoholic beverages and a light meal was provided, and transfers were paid for by Stevivor.
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