Unknown 9: Awakening Reviews
Unknown 9: Awakening is a weak game, and further proof that Bandai Namco should focus on the quality of their titles, as the game doesn't offer anything special or impressive, there may be fun moments in the game, but these moments are nothing compared to the badness that covers most aspects of the game
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Unknown 9: Awakening is a disappointing and lackluster title. It's riddled with bugs and glitches every pixel, and it's a disaster for almost everything it touches. The pointless storyline, outdated gameplay, and annoying bugs make it a game you won't even want to play for free, because your time is worth much more than following Haruna's story.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Unknown 9: Awakening is a budget title with grand ambition. It doesn't always meet those lofty goals, but it's still a lovely throwback to the days when these mid-budget titles were a much more common occurrence. Adjust your expectations accordingly, and it's an old-school blast to play through on a weekend.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Unknown 9: Awakening feels like a game that is literally frozen in time. You can always feel the potential, but the outdated visuals and mission design show that the authors still have a lot to learn.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
No amount of worldbuilding, which “Unknown 9: Awakening” has in droves, can make up for the fact that at the end of the day its main storyline is extremely predictable. Paired with a repetitive and unrewarding combat and stealth systems, its hard to recommend unless you want to take on pretty sights and gather (very well written) collectibles.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Unknown 9: Awakening combines a fascinating steampunk world, deep lore and unique mind-control controls. Yet the story lingers in predictability, while repetitive gameplay and technical problems disrupt experience. Despite a few strong moments, the game feels unbalanced and the potential is not fully realized.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
A below-average linear action-adventure that fails to deliver the full potential of its storyline due to an excessive focus on repetitive combat and numerous plot twists crammed into a short but tiresome campaign. Technically underwhelming and overpriced at launch.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
Unknown 9: Awakening boasts great combat and an ambitious story, but performance issues are too many to look past.
Unknown 9: Awakening is an ambitious yet flawed experience, blending good ideas with execution issues. While not the best action game, it serves as an intriguing introduction to its transmedia universe.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Apart from some interesting choices in the approach to combat and its gradual development, Unknown 9: Awakening fails to rise to the occasion
Review in Greek | Read full review
The opening video game chapter of the Unknown 9 universe is not great. The combat is disappointing, the animations undercooked, and the performance takes a nosedive throughout the second half of the game. Some stunning vistas, but hardly enough to warrant a recommendation.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
Unknown 9: Awakening left me with a mixed feeling, but I ultimately had a good time. I love the lore and world that is being built through this game and all the other forms of media around it, and the voice acting is superb against the mediocre story. The powers you have really shake up combat a lot, and it is so much fun when chaining everything together, but the janky camera and small issues all build up and create an obnoxious when not using the abilities you have. And while it is technically playable on Steam Deck, it does require compromises and will have drops. But, if you are looking for a linear adventure with PS3/Xbox 360 vibes, you are in the right place and will have a great time here.
Overty ambitious, but marred by glitches and lack of polish, this game borrows many elements from famous games in history with some new ideas. The setting is great, but the scope seems too big for a debut title. Hopefully this isn't the last we've seen from this new universe.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Unknown 9: Awakening is not inherently bad, but it's not really good, either. The fun seems to be caught in the rift between worlds.
Review in German | Read full review
Unknown 9: Awakening tries to operate like a AAA game but lacks the high-budget resources. Reflector Entertainment's debut is a disaster in every aspect: the narrative is weak despite an intriguing universe; the gameplay, apart from enjoyable stealth phases, is clunky and boring; the technical component is a mess.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Unknown 9: Awakening feels like it wants to be greater than it is, which is a big shame given how much effort was seemingly put into it.
Unknown 9: Awakening is a decent game that is mostly playable because of its interesting approach to combat. But apart from combat, there is no other quality that helps the game stand out. The graphics are only good for a few levels, but continue to be an average game from there. With the selection of games offered this year, you are better off avoiding this one for now.
There’s a lot to like about Unknown 9: Awakening and I’m glad I played it. The story and characters are among the best of the year, and the skills Haroona possesses and stealth gameplay has it’s moments. Ultimately though the game is held back by its weightless combat and outdated graphics. If Bandai ever gives the franchise another chance there truly is enough here to build upon, but I fear this might be a one and done situation. That said, if you are looking for a game with a great story to connect with like I do, you can absolutely find that in Unknown 9. If you are someone who puts gameplay above all else though, you will likely want to look elsewhere.
Unknown 9: Awakening is a title that came too late to the market. While it’s true that the narrative aspect works, it’s also evident that, gameplay-wise, it’s a title that is barely adequate and often "unbearable," especially in today’s context. Accepting its outdated structure, marked by a fundamental repetitiveness, it’s hard to recommend a product with such a low level of polish, both technically and in gameplay mechanics.
Review in Italian | Read full review
It is a game that covers but does not squeeze and it shows. He wants to be like his older brothers but he is still a kid. With a little more preparation it would have been an incredible title but its problems hinder it among the most critical. I definitely gave it a chance.
Review in Spanish | Read full review