Initial release date: July 31, 2024
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
Engine:Â Unity
Developer:Â BearBone Studio
Genres: Adventure game, Indie game, Role-playing game, Adventure
Publisher:Â BearBone Studio
There is no denying that A.I. and its potential is sparking a heated international discussion. People’s worries about the future of this quickly advancing technology are numerous and include existential issues about human purpose and exceptionality in addition to job prospects.
Taiwan-based Bearbone Studio, a game development business, released its debut game, a dystopian science fiction story about a city that depends too much on artificial intelligence and the implications for regular people. The game is a fantastic, captivating blend of a complex plot, compelling relationships, fast-paced events, and player-chosen actions that impact the entire narrative.
On July 31, 2024, Minds Beneath Us became available on the PC, Steam, and Nintendo Switch.
Humans against machines
Not to give too much away, but Minds Beneath Us is set in a cyberpunk, slightly dystopian megacity inspired on Taipei, some two decades into the future. By the late 2040s, artificial intelligence (AI) has taken over the globe, potentially improving some areas of daily life while at the same time increasing unemployment among humans. The strengths of automation vs the strength and purpose of mankind present a distinct conundrum for society.
With five parts (plus a prologue), the game primarily centers on Jason Dai, a quiet, reclusive man that you take on the role of throughout. ….Okay, in a way. Living in a modest apartment with his fiancée, Frances Cheng, Jason seems to be an exceptionally powerful and nimble person, preparing for his job interview with Silencio. Frances, a higher-ranking employee of the business, informs Jason and the player that Silencio is a “flops farm,” wherein contractors provide the computational power needed to run the artificial intelligence (A.I.). mechanisms in existence across the city. Frances believes that flipping flops will end the unemployment crisis and provide others with less money an opportunity to escape the slums of society.
The plot is a real slow burner; it begins mysteriously as you assume the role of Jason Dai, visiting “the farm” for the first time, getting to know your coworkers, and witnessing the drama that develops in both the “screening” and “ops” departments. As the days pass, players uncover the dubious, perilous hints about the sector, the perils of late-stage capitalism in the artificial intelligence realm, and the persistence of socioeconomic strata.
Literally, minds beneath us
Minds Beneath Us has amazing visuals that echo the dark, 2D-shaded mood of Playdead’s Inside. Similar to the title of the latter work, Minds Beneath Us characters are faceless, which heightens the tense mood. A DLC soundtrack with various futuristic and lighthearted pieces, along with a magnificent blend of suspense and eeriness, was recently released by Barebone Studio.
Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but I feel that something significant is highlighted by the absence of the character’s facial features. Characters may only be recognized by their appearance and physical attributes, which definitely conveys a dystopian idea that people are just workers or statistics. The idea that people are merely a basic commodity is reinforced by the game’s scenario, where the cost of human labor is incredibly low when compared to artificial intelligence. The way that characters move and breathe also emphasizes them; this dramatic breathing effect is a great contrast to the lifeless world of automation.
As the first game released by Barebone Studio, Minds Beneath Us is an incredible addition to the story genre that merits greater attention. The game functions mostly like a visual novel, thus reading conversation and clicking things to find out more about them will take up much of your time. I found the tale to be quite interesting right away and found me playing nonstop. Even though the game is a story, there are a few quick time events thrown in, but most significantly, players will have to make key choices that could change Jason Dai’s relationships and ultimately his fate.
You have an option. ….or is it not?
One could classify Minds Beneath Us as a decision-based story. ….However, to be honest, not all of the decisions made by the players have a significant impact. The player’s decisions as a “M.B.U.” inhabiting Jason Dai’s body frequently result in insignificant dialogue options that merely call for marginally different replies from other characters. However, some decisions will open up other “side quests” or routes to alternative interpersonal dynamics, which can frequently work in the player’s favor or against them.
There is undoubtedly an emotional component to the gameplay, even though the majority of choices won’t directly impact the conclusion. I would feel terrible if I was impolite to my coworkers, and I could feel like I was “missing out” if I didn’t hear the side chats, which typically offered more in-depth world-building. It is definitely worthwhile for you as a player to make sure you complete all side tasks, dialogue options, and chats. Yes, there will be more difficult decisions that impact the entire gaming experience. For instance, Jason Dai will have to choose between joining the operations or screening sectors.
Towards the conclusion of Minds Beneath Us, the most significant choice that matters makes an impact on one of the four possible outcomes. I had hoped that some of my earlier choices would have a significant impact on the game’s conclusion, although I do wish there were more endings to choose from. All decisions, though, changed something; be it a personal connection or the kinds of information the players are given.
Quick and intense
The “quick time events,” or QTEs, are another aspect of the game. They are brief and infrequent but extremely exciting. Players primarily just need to pay attention to the spacebar and the “E” key. The majority of QTEs involve battle, and it’s interesting to observe how skillfully Dai dodges and throws punches. Given that Barebone Studios claims that the game is hand-drawn, this is quite astounding. But there aren’t many stakes because if players don’t finish the QTEs, the scene will just restart. Smaller activities, such swiftly capturing an object or gadget, are examples of other occurrences.
Those who appreciate a fair amount of player input might not find this exciting. Apart from moving around, there isn’t a lot of gameplay in Minds Beneath Us, but I think the game does a great job at engrossing players and drawing them in so that there is plenty of decision-making throughout.
Bruno’s silence
A delightful abundance of fully developed personalities is also there. All of the characters are well-developed and entertaining to interact with, whether you love them or not. Jason Dai has the ability to pick how involved he wants to be in office turmoil and can be diplomatic or turn coworkers into foes.
I find it fascinating that every employee is so sweet. The characters’ extreme friendliness and “righteousness” initially seemed unnecessary to me, but that might be the goal. According to Minds Beneath Us, most people genuinely care about what’s best for their loved ones and even society at large. However, we might not always be conscious of how much we are feeding the machine. The characters in Minds Beneath Us are all trying to do their part to make the world a better place. Some think that closing the farm will save lives, while others argue that flops farming greatly contributes to the unemployed’s ability to put food on the table. But employees of Vision are inadvertently engaging in “evil,” which contrasts with the intentionality and disengagement of CEOS and others in higher social classes.
Concluding remarks
Minds Beneath Us is captivating, nerve-wracking, exciting, and thought-provoking. Even if this dystopia is set in the near future, it is difficult to argue that it has no relevance to the world we live in today. Maybe it’s this combination of gloomy interest and subdued awareness of contemporary, enduring issues, but I can’t take my eyes off this incredible game.
It is true that Minds Beneath Us has a number of translation problems, and some of its user interface needs improvement. It would have been nicer if the “tab” button, in particular, did more than merely serve as a player objective display. The auto-saving mechanism is also a little bothersome. Gamers are forced to wait for an autosave before or after significant events in order to save their game at will.
Apart from that, this game was an amazing surprise, packed with dark storytelling, thought-provoking conversation, and intriguing twists. This is a book that I wholeheartedly endorse.
Review Overview
Gameplay: 85%
Story: 90%
Aesthetics: 88%
Content: 83%
Accessibility: 80%
Value: 87%
Overall Rating: 86%
Great
Summary: Minds Beneath Us excels in narrative depth, weaving a compelling story that draws players in with its rich world-building and character development. The gameplay is both engaging and challenging, though at times it may require a bit more patience. Visually, the game is stunning, with a unique art style that enhances the overall experience. While the content is substantial, some may find it lacking in variety. Overall, it’s a well-rounded game that offers great value, especially for those who appreciate a strong storyline.