Unknown 9: Awakening, a new title from Bandai Namco, has made its debut on Steam but has seen a disappointing response from players. Despite being showcased at an Xbox Partner Preview seven months ago, the game has struggled to gain traction, attracting only around 200 concurrent players upon launch.

Low Player Numbers and Mixed Reviews

Upon release, the game has garnered underwhelming reviews and minimal engagement. With only 224 players on Steam at launch and just 13 user reviews, it’s clear that Unknown 9: Awakening has not sparked much interest. Just to be clear, the game was recently bundled with AMD motherboards so the player number isn’t totally from people who actually bought the game. Additionally, the game holds a Metacritic score of 63, with IGN giving it a 5/10, indicating a lukewarm reception from critics.

A New IP with High Expectations

In Unknown 9: Awakening, players take on the role of Haroona, a character who can access the mysterious “Fold,” a dimension that overlaps with reality. As Haroona learns to control these abilities, she becomes the target of the Ascendants, a faction of a secret society known as LYS. Despite its intriguing premise, the game’s storytelling and gameplay have failed to captivate a broad audience.

The game, priced at $50, is part of the diminishing AA gaming market, and its release highlights ongoing challenges for mid-tier games. While there was potential for it to fill a niche in the gaming landscape, Unknown 9: Awakening has not lived up to its expectations.

Minimal Marketing and Poor Engagement

One of the critical issues seems to be the lack of marketing, which has contributed to its low player count. Aside from a live-action trailer featuring Anya Chalotra of The Witcher fame, the game has received little exposure. Unfortunately, this trailer has also faced criticism for its minimal connection to the actual gameplay, further adding to the game’s poor reception. It also doesn’t help that the game is tied to Sweet Baby Inc.

Conclusion: A Missed Opportunity for Bandai Namco

Unknown 9: Awakening is a disappointing release for Bandai Namco, especially given the game’s potential to breathe new life into the AA gaming space. With weak reviews, low player engagement, and minimal marketing, the game is unlikely to see a significant increase in popularity.