Unwell Known

About

Unwell Known is a single player platformer game. It was developed by kami'86 and was released on May 26, 2022. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

An 8 bits retro aesthetics throw a dark reality of the borders between regions in which you will have to find the light that dispels the shadows of the path to hope. Everyone deserves a second chance.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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100%

Audience ScoreBased on 12 reviews

gameplay5 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Unwell Known features a unique hook-based movement system that transforms traversal into engaging kinetic puzzles, rewarding players for mastering mechanics.
The game's minimalist black-and-white art style, combined with subtle environmental storytelling, creates a striking and atmospheric experience that enhances its themes of isolation and perseverance.
Players who enjoy challenging platformers will find the demanding gameplay and precise level design to be rewarding, offering a sense of accomplishment through patience and practice.

The steep learning curve and lack of hand-holding can be discouraging for some players, making the game feel unforgiving and opaque at times.
The narrative is intentionally abstract and subtle, which may leave players feeling confused or disconnected from the story.
There are occasional bugs and rough edges in presentation, which can detract from the overall experience despite ongoing updates from the developer.

gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
20%
30%
The gameplay of "Unwell Known" is characterized by its demanding platforming mechanics, particularly the innovative hook-based movement system that allows for unique traversal and momentum manipulation. Players are encouraged to engage deeply with the game through repetition and observation, fostering a challenging yet introspective experience. While the minimalist aesthetic and abstract storytelling may not appeal to everyone, the game stands out for its originality and fluid mechanics, making it a noteworthy entry in the indie platformer genre.
- “Unwell Known is a deliberately demanding indie platformer that blends tight mechanical execution with abstract storytelling and a striking, minimalist aesthetic.”
- “It offers a mechanically tight, visually distinctive, and thematically suggestive experience that rewards patience and persistence.”
- “While it may not satisfy players seeking narrative clarity or relaxed gameplay, it stands as a strong example of indie design that prioritizes expression and challenge over convention.”
- “The hook mechanic is where Unwell Known truly distinguishes itself.”
- “Standard platforming skills like jumping and timing are only the foundation; the defining mechanic is a hook-based movement system that allows the player to latch onto surfaces and swing, climb, or redirect momentum.”
story
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
The story of "Unwell Known" is conveyed through abstract symbolism and environmental cues rather than direct narration, allowing players to interpret the narrative personally. This approach creates a demanding yet emotionally resonant experience, particularly appealing to fans of precision platformers who enjoy movement-driven design and abstract storytelling. Overall, it offers a unique and memorable journey within the platforming genre.
- “The game avoids direct storytelling, instead communicating its ideas through environment, symbolism, and progression.”
- “Because the story is never spelled out, players are free to project their own interpretations onto the journey, which can make the experience feel personal and emotionally resonant for those inclined toward abstract narrative design.”
- “For fans of precision platformers who appreciate abstract storytelling and movement-driven design, it delivers a journey that feels demanding, personal, and quietly memorable.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
67%
The graphics of "Unwell Known" feature a striking minimalist aesthetic characterized by a stark pixel-art style that utilizes a black and white palette to enhance the game's mood and storytelling. This unique visual approach effectively complements the gameplay, creating a cohesive experience that emphasizes contrast over detail.
- “Unwell Known is a deliberately demanding indie platformer that blends tight mechanical execution with abstract storytelling and a striking, minimalist aesthetic.”
- “Gotta love the game's art style; it has a unique look with the black and white palettes that help convey the protagonist's world. Fantastic gameplay and mechanics, not groundbreaking but work on a fluid level.”
- “Visually, the game adopts a stark pixel-art style that emphasizes contrast and mood over detail.”
- “Gotta love the game's art style; it has a unique look with the black and white palettes that help convey the protagonist's world.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional aspect of the game deeply personal, as the abstract narrative allows for individual interpretations, enhancing the overall resonance of the experience.
- “The story is never spelled out, allowing players to project their own interpretations onto the journey, which makes the experience feel personal and emotionally resonant for those who appreciate abstract narrative design.”
- “The characters' struggles and triumphs evoke a deep emotional connection, making every decision feel weighty and impactful.”
- “The game's ability to convey complex emotions through subtle storytelling and character development left me feeling profoundly moved.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The atmosphere is characterized by a subtle audio design, where sparse and atmospheric music enhances the experience without overwhelming it, allowing players to concentrate on movement and tension.
- “The music is sparse and atmospheric, often fading into the background to allow focus on movement and tension.”
- “The audio design supports this atmosphere with restraint.”
- “The game lacks a cohesive atmosphere, making it feel disjointed.”
- “The environments are visually appealing, but they fail to create an immersive atmosphere.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The music in the game is described as sparse and atmospheric, enhancing the sense of isolation and focus on gameplay rather than overwhelming the player. This intentional minimalism allows for moments of success to feel more rewarding, while the overall art and animations complement the auditory experience effectively.
- “The art, music, and animations are great overall.”
- “Music is sparse and atmospheric, often fading into the background to allow focus on movement and tension.”
- “The lack of constant musical cues reinforces the sense of isolation and concentration, making moments of success feel earned through focus rather than spectacle.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is characterized by surreal designs and abstract backgrounds, creating a dreamlike quality that enhances the game's symbolic themes and distances the experience from realism.
- “The surreal nature of character designs and backgrounds further distances the experience from realism, giving the world an abstract, dreamlike quality that complements its symbolic undertones.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a unique blend of platforming mechanics and an engaging story, complemented by humorous moments that enhance the overall experience.
- “An interesting take on the platforming genre, with original mechanics, an intriguing story, and funny moments.”