Minds Beneath Us
- July 31, 2024
- BearBoneStudio
- 15h median play time
The game has me eager to hop into elevators with people, who could have thought?
Get on Steam"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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a captivating and well-written story that keeps players engaged throughout, with deep philosophical themes and moral dilemmas.
- The art style and animations are visually stunning, combining 2D and 3D elements to create an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
- Character development is strong, with nuanced personalities and relationships that make players care about their fates and choices.
- The gameplay is primarily dialogue-driven with limited interactivity, which may not appeal to players looking for more action-oriented mechanics.
- Some plot threads and character arcs feel unresolved or rushed, leaving players with unanswered questions by the end of the game.
- There are minor translation errors and typos that can detract from the overall immersion, though they do not significantly impact the story.
- story382 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game's story is a standout feature, offering a rich, engaging narrative set in a cyberpunk world that explores themes of kindness, trust, and the ethical implications of technology. Players appreciate the depth of character development and the meaningful choices that impact relationships, although some feel that the overarching plot remains somewhat linear and certain storylines are left unresolved. Overall, the storytelling is praised for its philosophical depth, emotional resonance, and immersive world-building, making it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven games.
“The writing and plot were excellent and left me guessing at various points where the story would go, and I was drawn in and remained hooked until the very end.”
“The story is well-paced, engaging, and full of wisdom.”
“Minds Beneath Us is rich in story and kept me hooked from start to finish.”
“The middle of the game/story is the weakest section of the whole game, in my opinion.”
“Your choices won't change the critical path of the game; the story itself will always be the same.”
“The characters and dialogue are only well done for the first two-thirds of the story, and the quality of character interactions and dialogue slips later on.”
- gameplay67 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Minds Beneath Us" is primarily focused on narrative and dialogue, with minimal mechanics that include simple interactions, choices, and occasional quick-time events (QTEs) for combat. While some players appreciate the engaging story and character development, many find the gameplay lacking and reminiscent of a visual novel, making it less appealing for those seeking robust gameplay experiences. Overall, it is recommended for fans of story-driven games who are comfortable with passive gameplay.
“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.”
“Fantastic story and characters, it shows a beautiful cyberpunk world and for a mostly narratively driven game the gameplay elements it offers don't feel like a chore but are actually enjoyable.”
“Like I mentioned before, story aside, I think the gameplay is really weak.”
“The gameplay is lacking though.”
“You’ll never hack a computer, disable an alarm, rewire enemy AI, solve a simple puzzle... it’s bizarre how little gameplay there is here.”
- graphics60 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning blend of 2D and 3D art styles, creating a captivating and immersive environment. Players appreciate the vibrant color palette, fluid animations, and overall aesthetic, which significantly enhance the storytelling experience. While some critiques mention simplicity in certain aspects, the visuals are generally regarded as a standout feature that complements the game's engaging narrative and atmosphere.
“The visuals, the audio, the story, and just as a whole, it is such an amazing game.”
“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.”
“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.”
- music48 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beautiful and immersive soundtrack, which enhances the overall atmosphere and emotional depth of the story. While many players find the music to be a standout feature, some note that the background tracks can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a key element that complements the game's art and narrative, contributing significantly to the player's experience.
“Great story, lovely art, awesome sound design and music.”
“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 helps the emotional delivery as well.”
“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.”
- emotional24 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional depth and impactful storytelling, with players noting that their choices feel significant and carry emotional weight. The well-developed characters and heartfelt dialogue contribute to moments of genuine fear, sadness, and introspection, making it an emotional rollercoaster that resonates long after playing. Despite minor translation issues, the immersive experience and philosophical themes leave a lasting emotional impact on players.
“Criminally underrated, this game has brilliant world-building and really made me feel like every choice I made mattered - how I spent my time, who I talked to, etc. all felt like they mattered.”
“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.”
- atmosphere23 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging and immersive 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 cyberpunk setting, which draws players into its world. Despite some criticisms regarding repetitiveness later in the game, the initial atmosphere and character-driven storytelling leave a lasting impression.
“What a cleverly written story with ridiculously lovable characters and a gorgeous atmosphere!”
“Amazing atmosphere, pulls you in right from the start.”
“The city skylines and meticulously designed neon signs create an artistic atmosphere, reminiscent of heavy brush strokes on dark smooth canvas.”
“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 feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to engage players fully.”
- character development6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
Character development in this game is highly praised for its depth and authenticity, with side characters feeling as real and engaging as the main ones. Despite simple character designs, the immersive storytelling and emotional resonance create a memorable experience, making it a standout in the visual novel genre for 2024. The focus on narrative and dialogue significantly enhances the overall impact of the characters.
“It’s a point-and-click, story-driven game that focuses heavily on character development.”
“What beautiful character design from a writing perspective, with side characters and their stories feeling just as real and alive as the main characters.”
“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.”
“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.”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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 in the shift from English to Japanese.
“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.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability through multiple routes and endings, allowing players to explore different choices that impact the story. With an initial playthrough of around 15 hours, players can easily extend their experience to 30 hours or more, making it a worthwhile investment despite its price.
“It even has multiple routes for multiple endings, so there's a lot of replayability.”
“Your choices can have major impacts on the story, allowing you to see different sides, which gives this game lots of replayability.”
“I love the game; it has replay value, and that alone makes it a worthwhile purchase.”
“Don't let the price disincentivize you; the game has a lot of replay value.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is viewed differently by players; some find it tedious and potentially boring, while others appreciate the opportunity to engage in daily tasks for relationship-building with in-game characters. A suggestion was made to extend the grinding period over several weeks or months to enhance the experience.
“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.”
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users report that the game runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, indicating strong stability during gameplay.
“I play it on Steam Deck, and it runs great!”
“The game has been incredibly stable since the last update.”
“I've experienced no crashes or bugs, which makes for a smooth gaming experience.”
Critic Reviews
Minds Beneath Us Review – See How Deep The Rabbit Hole Goes
Minds Beneath Us tells a dark dystopian story that's filled to the brim with lore, full fledged characters and some tough decision making. This narrative cyberpunk game will keep you hooked.
90%Minds Beneath Us Review — Splitting the Personality
Minds Beneath Us is an excellent visual novel, telling a heart-wrenching story with a ton of unique sci-fi concepts. Fans of visual novels and great stories are in for a treat with this dystopian treat.
90%Minds Beneath Us Review (PC)
Minds Beneath Us is spectacular when delivering slice-of-life moments, both if they involve the main character and when it comes to ancillary conversations in the background. It’s also good at creating an interesting vision of the future while offering a core narrative that tackles modern themes in engaging ways. Its presentation adds to the immersion level, although the lack of faces will be a little disturbing. Its mechanics do not stray from the adventure game standard and when they do QTEs make an unwelcome appearance. A few conversations are over-written, especially when the game tries to focus on emotions. But Minds Beneath Us offers a good enough story that these are small problems. Play around a full day at a time and savor every interaction. Review key provided by the developer.
85%
