Minds Beneath Us

About

"Minds Beneath Us" is a sci-fi thriller game set in a futuristic Asian city, where society is automated by advanced AI. You find yourself trapped in a foreign body, uncovering a conspiracy involving the use of human brains to power AI systems. The game features dialogue choices that affect relationships and the story, with hidden clues and hand-drawn animation creating a cinematic experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 696 reviews

story289 positive mentions

grinding5 negative mentions

The game features a captivating and thought-provoking narrative that explores deep philosophical questions about humanity and morality.
The art style and animations are exceptional, blending 2D characters with 3D environments to create a visually stunning experience.
Character development is strong, with well-written dialogue that makes players feel invested in their choices and the outcomes of the story.

The gameplay is minimal, primarily consisting of dialogue choices and quick-time events, which may not appeal to players looking for more interactive mechanics.
Some plot threads and character arcs feel unresolved or rushed, leaving players with unanswered questions by the end of the game.
There are occasional grammatical errors and awkward translations that can detract from the overall immersion in the story.

story
768 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
60%
2%
The story of "Minds Beneath Us" is a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of a dystopian cyberpunk world, focusing on themes of kindness, trust, and the ethical implications of technology. Players engage deeply with the narrative through meaningful choices that impact character relationships, although the overarching plot remains relatively linear. While the writing and character development are praised for their depth and emotional resonance, some reviewers noted that certain plot threads feel unresolved or rushed towards the end, leaving a desire for further exploration in potential sequels.
- “The middle of the game/story is the weakest section of the whole game, in my opinion.”
- “However, I do feel a little lied to, as the entire story feels like it's building up to the main character becoming someone bigger and better.”
- “Your choices won't change the critical path of the game, the story itself will always be the same.”
gameplay
137 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
75%
6%
The gameplay of "Minds Beneath Us" is primarily focused on narrative and dialogue, functioning largely as a visual novel with minimal interactive elements. Players engage through simple mechanics such as making choices, exploring environments, and participating in quick-time events, which some find limiting and reminiscent of reading a book with animations. While the gameplay is not complex or action-oriented, it effectively supports the game's rich storytelling and character development, making it appealing for those who prioritize narrative over gameplay depth.
- “A nuanced and refreshing take on the cyberpunk genre where the priority is not violence and combat mechanics, but rather on journeying through ethical and interpersonal conflicts that make you question your own value systems.”
- “The gameplay is simple and intuitive, and the story keeps you engaged very hard.”
- “Minds Beneath Us brings together storytelling, beautiful visuals, and interactive gameplay in a way that keeps me hooked from beginning to end.”
- “Like I mentioned before, story aside, I think the gameplay is really weak.”
- “The gameplay is lacking though.”
- “I was disappointed with how shallow the actual gameplay felt at times but the story kept me engaged all the way to the end.”
graphics
120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
49%
3%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning blend of 2D and 3D elements, creating a captivating and immersive environment. Reviewers praised the art style, color palette, and fluid animations, which enhance the overall aesthetic and atmosphere, making it a standout feature of the game. While some noted that the gameplay may not be as engaging, the visuals and artistic presentation significantly contribute to the storytelling experience.
- “The visuals are outstanding (3D feeling in a 2D environment), the story doesn't feel all too original, but it's been told so originally that it feels new.”
- “On the visual side, Minds Beneath Us is a stunning piece of art, with graphics that create a captivating and immersive environment.”
- “The graphics invite players to wander and absorb the views, bringing each scene to life with dynamic, life-like energy.”
- “Vibes: 10/10, the atmosphere is very engaging, even considering the simple graphics and lack of voice acting, the music is beautiful and the key moments of the story are very well built into the scene to make a breathtaking experience.”
- “Its wow factor does not come from its graphics (though they are pretty for being so simplistic) nor its gameplay (though they could have made an effort, maybe?) but from its stellar story, dialogue, and character development.”
- “The biggest downer for this one, in my opinion, is the gameplay - there is action, but the one you make is pretty bland and repetitive - from there, you could argue that, being a text-centric game, it may not be for everyone, and for those only interested in graphics, this may not be the biggest art showcase either.”
music
97 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
37%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beautiful and immersive soundtrack, which enhances the overall atmosphere and emotional delivery of the story. While many players appreciate the unique cyberpunk and electro beats, some noted that the background music can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's engaging experience.
- “The music is amazing, and for a game with no voice acting, it's so very important, but I can confidently say I wouldn't want voice acting for this game anyway.”
- “The soundtrack is another highlight, contributing to the game’s unique atmosphere.”
- “The music is thoughtfully integrated, from moody to dire, which matches the game's tone and pacing.”
- “Background music gets old very fast.”
- “Music score was not particularly memorable, though the shift between set pieces could be jarring.”
- “The same cannot be said for MBU’s simple if atmospheric synth soundtrack and unremarkable sound effects.”
emotional
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Minds Beneath Us" is highly praised, with players noting its ability to evoke genuine feelings of fear, sadness, and connection through well-developed characters and impactful choices. The game's narrative depth, combined with its philosophical themes and immersive writing, creates a powerful emotional experience that resonates long after completion. Despite minor translation issues, the heartfelt dialogue and character growth contribute to an emotional rollercoaster that many players found unforgettable.
- “All of the characters have defined goals, aspirations, personalities, and they all blend together beautifully to make some real heart-wrenching moments, truly some points in the game where I felt real fear and sadness.”
- “The ending made me cry my eyes out for half an hour.”
- “It delivers a strong, coherent story with some really hard-hitting emotional moments.”
atmosphere
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
83%
11%
7%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and engaging qualities, featuring top-tier writing, stunning art direction, and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the detailed visuals and the effective establishment of tone, particularly in the context of its cyberpunk setting, which draws players in from the start. Despite some criticisms regarding repetitiveness later in the game, the initial atmosphere and world-building are consistently described as exceptional.
- “What a cleverly written story with ridiculously lovable characters and a gorgeous atmosphere!”
- “The city skylines and meticulously designed neon signs create an artistic atmosphere, reminiscent of heavy brush strokes on dark smooth canvas.”
- “It's a 2D game with 3D aspects that also stands out for its carefully crafted atmosphere, featuring a beautiful, detailed, and vibrant setting that greatly contributes to the game's immersion.”
- “The start of the game is deliberately slow-paced, designed to establish the tone and atmosphere for the unfolding story.”
- “The city skylines and meticulously designed neon signs create an artistic atmosphere, reminiscent of heavy brush strokes on a dark smooth canvas.”
- “The atmosphere, the story, the graphics, the animations, and so on.”
character development
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
The game excels in character development, offering an immersive experience that brings both main and side characters to life through rich storytelling and authentic emotions. Despite simplistic character designs, the writing and dialogue create a profound connection with players, making it a standout in the visual novel genre for 2024. Overall, the focus on character depth and narrative over graphics and gameplay is highly praised.
- “What beautiful character design from a writing perspective, with side characters and their stories feeling just as real and alive as the main characters.”
- “Its wow factor does not come from its graphics (though they are pretty for being so simplistic) nor its gameplay (though they could have made an effort, maybe?) but from its stellar story, dialogue, and character development.”
- “I've been on quite a visual novel binge lately, and I have to say that 2024 has been one of the best years for this genre that has created a genuine impression of authentic emotions, story, and character development, not only with minds beneath us, but with so many others.”
- “It’s a point-and-click, story-driven game that focuses heavily on character development.”
replayability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
36%
27%
The game offers significant replayability due to its multiple routes and endings, allowing players to explore different choices and story outcomes, potentially extending playtime beyond 30 hours. However, the lack of a skip button for repeated playthroughs may detract from the experience for some players. Overall, the game's replay value is highlighted as a key reason to invest in it.
- “It even has multiple routes for multiple endings, so there's a lot of replayability.”
- “Took about 15 hours for one playthrough, but it has replayability due to the choices you can make, so you can easily crack 30 or more hours total.”
- “If you're going to start multiple playthroughs, there isn't a skip button like most visual novels have, which could take away from replayability.”
- “Don't let the price disincentivize you; the game has a lot of replay value.”
- “I love the game; it has replay value, and that alone makes it a worthwhile purchase.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is noted for its mature and often hilarious writing, which effectively brings the characters and world to life. Players find the portrayal of female authority figures juxtaposed with male villains amusing, reflecting contemporary societal themes. However, some humor is lost in translation, particularly from English to Japanese, which can detract from the overall comedic experience.
- “It made me laugh a lot when playing and deeply homesick afterwards.”
- “The writing is mature and sometimes hilarious, it brings the world and the characters to life.”
- “Every major authority character is a female and of course the male authority characters are one or two and they are the villains, it was kind of funny in a way considering the age we're living in.”
grinding
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of "Minds Beneath Us," with some finding it tedious while others appreciate the opportunity to engage in daily tasks to build relationships with characters. The suggestion to extend the grinding over a longer period could enhance the experience for those who enjoy it, but it may still deter players who prefer a more dynamic gameplay style. Overall, the grinding is seen as a double-edged sword, contributing to character development for some while feeling monotonous for others.
- “To me, this is not a bad thing; to some others, it might turn 'minds beneath us' into a very boring and tedious endeavor, though.”
- “It overall would make more sense to stretch it out into 4 weeks, or even months. I honestly would just sit there for an hour or two and do those daily work tasks, no matter how tedious they are, if that means I get to build relationships with the farm people.”
- “To me, this is not a bad thing; to some others, it might turn 'minds beneath us' into a very boring and tedious endeavor, though.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report that the game runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, indicating a high level of stability during gameplay.
- “I play it on Steam Deck, and it runs great!”