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A hacker dystopia . Human batteries power an AI - driven existence . Interesting characters with inscrutable and engaging history — all this and more are present in Minds Beneath Us , an enthralling Sci - fi ocular novel that tasks players with clear a deep and complicated mystery while also asking questions about socio - economic practice , love , and identity . While I go into this game with downhearted expectations , I can honestly say that creative thinker Beneath Us has easily become one of my favorite visual novels on the market .
raider forrader for the plot of ground of Minds Beneath Us . While I wo n’t tackle anything that has n’t been incubate in the plot ’s first human activity or the first three hours of gameplay , some players may view some of what I hash out as a “ big reveal ” and may be good off receive the game for themselves .
psyche Beneath Us tells the write up of Jason Dai , a young world living with his girlfriend in the heart of a dystopian cyberpunk megacity . A former ground forces veteran who is worried about being a fiscal burden for his girl , Jason is capable to secure a task at The Farm , a complex that attracts down - on - their - luck members of society with the hope of quick cash , temporarily using their mind as supercomputer to power the metropolis ’s AI web . The story follows Jason as he manage his raw line of work , his relationship , and unravels a late - root conspiracy , all the while hearing the storey of those around him and providing an occasional word of advice .
Except the story does n’t really follow Jason Dai at all ; it follows you . Minds Beneath Us put the player in an incredibly unique view , taking on the role of an M.B.U. or hokey intelligence service able of controlling human bodies . Used primarily for espionage and investigation , you escape confinement one day after a mysterious attack on your captors , place you idle into the world and into Jason ’s body .
You and Jason then divvy up the body , with you in control of his words and legal action but privy to his intragroup thoughts during the daytime and speaking with him at dark . As you quickly discover , many of the choices you make are out of fictional character for Jason , who before long reveals that you are not the first M.B.U. he ’s had in his head and in all probability wo n’t be the last .
psyche Beneath Us ’ alone take on the player character is an incredibly refreshful melodic theme , especially for a optical novel . It is also uniquely apt in the way it present and allows role player to digest information . We are taking on the life sentence of someone who has already lived for quite some time , who has a personality , relationships , and entropy he knows , but we , as thespian , get to discover it for the first time in a way that does n’t break the game ’s immersion .
It also gives you an opportunity to interact with multiple - choice dialogue in a unambiguously immersion - protecting agency . Nothing Jason can say is out of character if he has someone else navigate his body .
The direction mind Beneath Us tackle love affair is by far my favorite of any ocular novel I ’ve play , which I intend is saying something in a genre renowned for its dating sims and romantic plots . The way Jason ’s human relationship with Frances is write feels healthy yet naturalistic , far from perfect , and definitely with some room for improvement . What I care even best about this subplot is how the game ’s unique premiss place a spin on thing . Stepping into Jason ’s body , you’re able to see that things between him and Frances are n’t double-dyed . Jason is expose to be less than emotionally usable , argumentative , and wanting in his affections , and the game give you a probability as the player to direct the course otherwise . you may also see that Jason and Frances intelligibly handle about each other , and seeing how the two respond to “ Jason ’s ” newfangled behavior is heartwarming . It ’s almost like playing relationship counselor for the two .
mind Beneath Us is a game with a fantastic account , great grapheme , and tons of personality . Often , the secret plan will have you sit there and just turn over into deep , impactful conversation with people who bemoan about their anxiety and the stresses of modern life . The game had me absolutely heartbroken , listening to the stories of down - on - their - fortune hoi polloi just attempt to get by . The secret plan will often challenge you to make essence - wrenching conclusion , forcing you to determine between personal net income or the well - being of stranger .
I was frankly shocked by the emotion Minds Beneath Us handle to pull from me , with the tale observe me invested way easy than I expected it to .
For all judgment Beneath Us has going for it , it is deserving saying that the game is just about as Visual Novel as it can get when it comes to gameplay . apart from some quick time consequence , the game is almost entirely play by reading text edition on the screen and take response . Even in region where you would expect the game to have more UI elements , such as navigating a figurer , are done via text and response . While the game had me totally put in its stories and characters , I can imagine this to be a downside for some players ask a bit more gameplay from their games .
The only real “ bug ” I would complain about in Minds Beneath Us would be the localization . While the game ’s English translations were more or less good , the peculiar mistranslation would slip in here or there , making process selective information a little difficult at times where it should n’t be . While I do n’t think this ever really impact my game in a serious manner , it decidedly had me confused on some dialog choice or conversations go on at points in the biz .
The Final Word
Minds Beneath Us is an splendid visual novel , telling a essence - wrenching story with a ton of unique sci - fi concepts . devotee of visual novels and great stories are in for a kickshaw with this dystopian treat .
try on Hard Guides receive a PC revaluation code for this plot . Find more elaborated feel at popular and upcoming title on ourGame Reviewspage ! brain Beneath Us is available onSteam .
