What is the game Sleep Awake about?

Sleep Awake is a psychological horror game where players explore the last city on Earth, struggling with exhaustion and psychedelic visions caused by a disease called the Hush.

Does Gary Numan appear in Sleep Awake?

Yes, synth-pop pioneer Gary Numan makes a late-stage cameo appearance in Sleep Awake as a character named Hypnos.

Is Sleep Awake a difficult game?

The game is generally considered easy, with enemies following predictable paths and generous fields of vision, making stealth gameplay lack tension.

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Sleep Awake: Dazzling Dystopia, Dull Gameplay

3 Dec

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Summary

The game features psychedelic visuals and a unique premise.
Players explore the last city on Earth as Katja, battling exhaustion.
Gameplay relies on tired mechanics like finding keycards and sneaking.

Sleep Awake: Dazzling Dystopia, Dull Gameplay

Sleep Awake offers a visually striking psychological horror experience, but its gameplay falters. Set in a desolate, imagined cityscape, the game follows Katja, who must stay awake to avoid a mysterious affliction known as the Hush. This struggle induces psychedelic visions, contributing to the game's surreal atmosphere and leading to societal paranoia among survivors.

The game's exploration of its decaying world is intercut with beautiful yet eerie FMV sequences, creating an arthouse feel. Visuals include stark silhouettes against red skies and close-ups of bubbling liquids, sometimes overlaid onto the 3D environment. Even the death screen evolves into a hallucinatory, mutating spectacle.

However, Sleep Awake fails to translate its unique aesthetics into engaging gameplay. Tasks such as finding keycards and dodging enemies with predictable patrol routes result in a repetitive and uninspired experience. Despite its visual ambition and Gary Numan's unexpected cameo, the game's narrative and interactive elements lack the depth needed to fully realize its potential.