Unknown 9: Awakening is a game that lands squarely in the realm of "could have been great," but it falls short in several critical areas. While it ambitiously attempts to weave a rich narrative full of mysticism, secret societies, and supernatural powers, the game's execution suffers from a lack of polish, both technically and mechanically.

The Story: A Solid Foundation, But Rushed

The narrative centers around Haroona, a young woman with a mysterious connection to "Am," a mystical energy. As she navigates a hidden world of secret societies like the Ascendants and the LYS, the story promises grand stakes, with Haroona's journey tied to the fate of humanity. Anya Chalotra (from The Witcher) does an excellent job as Haroona, adding emotional depth to the protagonist. However, the storytelling is marred by uneven pacing, awkward cutscenes, and bizarre transitions that make it feel unfinished. The lore is intriguing, especially if you're into pulp adventure stories with ancient civilizations and shadowy organizations, but the fragmented presentation often takes you out of the immersion.

Gameplay: A Mix of Potential and Frustration

At its core, Unknown 9: Awakening feels like a mishmash of mechanics seen in other games, such as Uncharted or Jedi: Fallen Order. It promises engaging stealth mechanics, allowing Haroona to manipulate enemies with her Am powers, sneaking around and pulling off some genuinely cool supernatural takedowns. Unfortunately, the stealth system feels clunky and the game's combat is even worse. The melee system is imprecise, with frustratingly tanky enemies and an erratic targeting system that makes most encounters a slog.

Exploration is similarly hit-or-miss. While the game features beautifully designed locations—ancient ruins, exotic locales, and shadowy realms—the level design becomes repetitive. You move through linear environments, solve simplistic puzzles, and engage in combat encounters that feel more like filler than memorable moments.

Technical Issues: A Rough Experience

Technically, Unknown 9: Awakening leaves a lot to be desired. The game suffers from numerous bugs, ranging from visual glitches to dialogue cutting out abruptly or failing to sync. The frame rate on consoles is locked at 30 fps with no performance mode available, which is disappointing for a modern release. Visual fidelity also takes a hit with low resolution textures and particle effects, making the game look less impressive than it should, especially given the exotic locations it tries to present.

Audio and Music: A Bright Spot

One aspect where the game excels is its audio design. The music complements the adventurous tone well, with sweeping scores that set the mood for Haroona's globe-trotting escapades. The voice acting is generally strong, particularly from Chalotra, but it's a shame that the technical issues in cutscenes diminish the impact of the performances.

Final Thoughts

Unknown 9: Awakening is a game that shows glimpses of what could have been a stellar adventure but is ultimately held back by technical flaws, awkward combat, and a rushed story. Fans of narrative-driven, pulp fiction-style adventures might still find some enjoyment in the game’s world-building, but many will likely be frustrated by its undercooked mechanics and uneven presentation.

Score: 5/10

For:

Interesting world-building and lore
Haroona is a compelling protagonist
Great audio and voice acting

Against:

Clunky combat and awkward stealth
Numerous technical issues
Rushed and incomplete-feeling story

Overall, if you can overlook its many rough edges, there’s some fun to be had in Unknown 9: Awakening, but it’s hard to recommend over other, more polished action-adventure titles.