He’s a thorn in your side, but one of the constants that tie together this bizarre plot. His brutal words mock your past indiscretions at every opportunity. Then there are the constant berating phone calls! A gruff voice teases and taunts you throughout. This is supported by the discovery of therapy tapes and the “transportation” to each aforementioned zone. The gameplay revolves around your apartment building and the slow-burning exploration as new tools are introduced. Though much of the gameplay goes off on a tangent, some constants reign it back in. Do you dare to approach the dummy? Provoking phone calls, a talking cat, and not so challenging puzzles. The latter item wonderfully ties in the surreal nature of the plot and further increases the fear factor without becoming too clichéd. The gas mask protects you from deadly fumes and the shard enables you to see hidden objects in its reflection. You must find spare batteries, ammo, and food to continue your adventure. You carry a battery-powered torch, a pistol, a gas mask, and a shard of glass. Yet, missing key objects or losing your way happens regularly, and this leads to unnecessary frustration.Īrmed with limited tools, you must survive while scavenging for key items. The semi-open world and partially linear plot encourage you to carve your path. This is where In Sound Mind will divide its community. However, the distinct lack of hand-holding makes this particularly challenging. You are encouraged to explore as much as possible! You’ll search every nook and cranny for clues and useful tools to solve the riddles. The gameplay spans four distinct sandbox locations, a grocery store, quarry, forest, and a lighthouse. In Sound Mind then delves into its true course of searching for clues while unravelling the mysteries of this dreamlike world. As the game expands past the central hub of your rundown apartment building, the creepiness subsides.

The opening scenes ooze eerie and creepy vibes that suck you into this strange, puzzling world. The tactical approach beautifully slowed down the gameplay and kept you on edge throughout. Crouching behind boxes while avoiding the creatures that haunt you makes this a horrifying experience. The convoluted game of hide and seek adds to the creepy and suspenseful nature of this title. Therefore, stealth is a worthy alternative to combat and utilising the environment is as useful as going in all guns blazing. In Sound Mind doesn’t focus heavily on its combat mechanics instead, it wishes you to explore to unravel the truth. These, like other foes, can be attacked or avoided. Haunting images of inkblot creatures follow you throughout. Staying true to its therapy roots, the Rorschach test plays a key role in developing the plot while filling you with fear. Your journey takes you through five random locations that all need a thorough search and a keen eye for detail. The protagonist must listen to past therapy sessions while searching for clues. There are bizarre goings-on that are linked in more than one way. You’ll search miserable environments and surreal scenes as you uncover many strange happenings. You control a therapist who investigates the problems surrounding the people he has helped. I’ll try to steer away from plot defining moments, as this is a title that deserves to be experienced with unknowing eyes. Many of its key mechanics are interlaced to define the protagonist and the root cause of the issues you face. For this reason, In Sound Mind is a challenging game to review. No one likes a spoiler as it removes the mystery and undermines the anticipation. In Sound Mind cleverly blends each mechanic in a well-trodden manner. With some borderline clichéd mechanics, this is a title that may divide opinions. You’ll explore a weird world that blends reality with a dreamlike state. Set in an undefined time, you must search for answers while solving puzzles and taking on unique boss fights. In Sound Mind utilises the latter option while focusing on multiple story arcs and exploration.ĭeveloped by We Create Stuff and published by Modus Games, this is a first-person horror exploration title. Do the developers go old-school and stick to tried and tested jumpscares? Or do they play it much more casually while sticking to psychological tricks of the mind? Whichever method is used, you best be prepared for brown trouser moments and unnerving shenanigans. The horror genre divides its fan base like no other.

In sound mind story