1 
0 Minds Beneath Us is a single-player sci-fi narrative game from BearBoneStudio. It is based on the backdrop of a futuristic Asian city where AI has become fully automated, with a mysterious conspiracy unavailing.
Will you unravel the mystery?
Minds Beneath Us is a complex story-driven game now available on Steam at an introductory price of £15.07. If you are in two minds about playing Minds Beneath Us, then keep on reading.
Gameplay
Minds Beneath Us begins with an introduction to Jason Dai, a run-of-the-mill type of guy. Quickly, you learn that you are the rogue consciousness that has infiltrated his mind. Known as M.B.U, you take control of Jason, turning his boring life upside down.
Using Taiwan as its muse, BearBoneStudio have created a cyber-punk world as its backdrop. Society has progressed to where it is fully automated. The creation of companies such as Silencio are created to compensate for that change. As Jason Dai, you explore Silencio, whilst learning that something is not quite right. Working alongside a character called Nin Situ and her support staff, you unravel the mystery and set about to make things right.
Minds Beneath Us is similar to a visual novel-type game. You spend the majority of the time reading. As you will have plenty of choices to make throughout the game, it is important to pay attention. Especially in Chapter Three. However, whatever option you choose, you are filtered back onto the same story path before the end of the game.
Will you be able to confront the challenges?
Gameplay mechanics are quite light. The game heavily relies on the choices-matter dialogue with only a handful of quick-time event combat sequences. These combat sequences are repetitive, with the same movement, and quick time actions used. I do appreciate that these are used to try and break the game from the heavy dialogue. But there are missed gameplay opportunities here. You are presented as a super soldier. Yet, you are not asked throughout the game to do anything generally associated with being so. The same goes for puzzles. Hacking a computer would have been a great addition to the cyber-punk narrative.
And that’s a knockout!
The parallels Minds Beneath Us draws to everyday life feeds brilliantly into it’s eeriness. Whilst the game is not 100% representative of our reality, the dystopian world still feels all too familiar. Such as how the fictional company Silencio treats employees. During the first two days of your job, you are told not to tell workers about any benefits they’re entitled to. These are poor people, who do not know any better. You are expected to use this to your advantage. Keep the poor, poor. And as a result the power stays with the corporations.
Graphics & Audio
I cannot put into words how beautiful Minds Beneath Us is. I honestly believe that this is one of the most graphically beautiful games I have ever played. There are simply no faults with the graphics. This is even more impressive when you realise how small the team is at BearBoneStudio. A studio made up of seven people. The design is a mixture of both 2-D characters and 3-D environments. The characters themselves are faceless. A powerful metaphor. While the 3-D environments are colourful contrasts.
The use of the camera throughout the game adds to the experience of Minds Beneath Us. For example when Jason Dai is travelling down an escalator. You follow them through the journey, almost like one long take. It makes you feel like you are in the shoes of the protagonist. If they have to wait, you do too.
The music is not hugely remarkable. But it does match the atmosphere when needed. This is particularly prevalent in the quick-time event scenes. The atmosphere changes in these scenes with the drop of music. Adding to the feeling of uneasiness & being unaware of what is going to come next.
Longevity
Minds Beneath Us consists of 5 chapters and a prologue. Each of these represent a different day. The story mainly follows one path, but does branch out into story choices. Overall the focus is on the player being explorative. You are encouraged to do so. The use of optional dialogue choices allows you to form your own relationships and perspectives. The power the story holds over you is mesmerising. Leaving you eager to play more.
With 12+ hours of gameplay, there is plenty to explore.
Final Thoughts
There are things I would have liked to have seen, but there is no doubt what the team at BearBoneStudio have produced is incredible. Minds Beneath Us should absolutely be the next game you buy. It provides a fresh and interesting story. One you will not be disappointed with.
And that is why I am awarding Minds Beneath Us a Thumb Culture Platinum Award!
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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