Gary Numan Makes a Gigantic Splash in Sleep Awake, But Not Enough.
In the crowded field of video games, 2025 has seen its fair share of remarkable experiences that have blown players' minds. However, not every game is created equal. Enter Sleep Awake, a psychological horror game that brings synth-rock pioneer Gary Numan into what appears to be his most awkward role yet - playing as Hypnos, a gigantic floating head.
The initial hours of the game are a hauntingly beautiful experience, with an artistically impressive post-apocalyptic setting that feels almost too good to be true. Katja, the protagonist, navigates through the desolate streets, lost in a world devoid of life. The atmosphere is tense and foreboding, recalling the works of Italian artist Piranesi. As players progress, they're faced with an existential question: will they succumb to the Hush, a mysterious disease that drives people to sleep and disappear into a strange realm?
The setting itself is stunning, but it's not enough to carry the game. The gameplay falls flat due to its lack of imagination and tension. Enemies are predictable, patrols are too straightforward, and even simple actions like opening doors or short-circuiting electricity breakers feel formulaic. It's more of a dull game of hide and seek rather than an engaging experience.
However, Sleep Awake does make up for it in its visuals. The FMV sequences are unsettling yet beautiful, showcasing surreal and hallucinatory effects that blur the lines between reality and dreams. Even the death screen is an exception to the game's shortcomings, offering a glimpse into dream logic where the player must navigate through a hallucinatory landscape to reach safety.
Despite its stunning visuals and Gary Numan's cameo as Hypnos, Sleep Awake fails to deliver on gameplay and interaction. The experience feels too straightforward, too predictable, and lacks the interactivity needed to truly explore the game's surreal world. It's a shame, because with more imagination and engagement, this could have been something special.
For now, players may want to sleep on Sleep Awake, hoping that its visuals will be enough to carry it through in future reviews or word of mouth.
In the crowded field of video games, 2025 has seen its fair share of remarkable experiences that have blown players' minds. However, not every game is created equal. Enter Sleep Awake, a psychological horror game that brings synth-rock pioneer Gary Numan into what appears to be his most awkward role yet - playing as Hypnos, a gigantic floating head.
The initial hours of the game are a hauntingly beautiful experience, with an artistically impressive post-apocalyptic setting that feels almost too good to be true. Katja, the protagonist, navigates through the desolate streets, lost in a world devoid of life. The atmosphere is tense and foreboding, recalling the works of Italian artist Piranesi. As players progress, they're faced with an existential question: will they succumb to the Hush, a mysterious disease that drives people to sleep and disappear into a strange realm?
The setting itself is stunning, but it's not enough to carry the game. The gameplay falls flat due to its lack of imagination and tension. Enemies are predictable, patrols are too straightforward, and even simple actions like opening doors or short-circuiting electricity breakers feel formulaic. It's more of a dull game of hide and seek rather than an engaging experience.
However, Sleep Awake does make up for it in its visuals. The FMV sequences are unsettling yet beautiful, showcasing surreal and hallucinatory effects that blur the lines between reality and dreams. Even the death screen is an exception to the game's shortcomings, offering a glimpse into dream logic where the player must navigate through a hallucinatory landscape to reach safety.
Despite its stunning visuals and Gary Numan's cameo as Hypnos, Sleep Awake fails to deliver on gameplay and interaction. The experience feels too straightforward, too predictable, and lacks the interactivity needed to truly explore the game's surreal world. It's a shame, because with more imagination and engagement, this could have been something special.
For now, players may want to sleep on Sleep Awake, hoping that its visuals will be enough to carry it through in future reviews or word of mouth.
but it's like they took all the cool stuff and forgot to put it into gameplay 
. The atmosphere is so on point with that post-apocalyptic setting, it gives me chills every time I think about it. And Gary Numan as Hypnos is just...wow, what a weird character 
. But when you're trying to solve puzzles or fight off enemies, it's like they just phoned it in. The visuals are insane, don't get me wrong 
, but gameplay-wise it's just so...safe. I need something that'll challenge me and keep me on my toes, not some predictable formulaic stuff. Maybe they'll update the game or make a sequel? 
I was so hyped for this game but it's like they took all the good stuff and just... meh 
The visuals are straight fire 
, I get that, but if the gameplay is boring 
it doesn't matter how beautiful it looks. Gary Numan's cameo is cool 
, but he should've been more involved in the story or something. And those FMV sequences? Give me a moment 
they're giving me all the chills. I wanna play this game again just to see the visuals 
, but the gameplay needs some serious work. Maybe they can update it later or something? Fingers crossed 
? But, sadly, the gameplay just doesn't hold up. It feels like they took all the cool elements and didn't do much with them. The FMV sequences are straight fire 
. Maybe with some updates or a remake, they can fix the gameplay issues and make Sleep Awake a true masterpiece 
.
I gotta say, I was super hyped for Sleep Awake, especially with Gary Numan as Hypnos... but honestly, the gameplay just didn't deliver 
. Maybe they can learn from it and try again in the future?
. The setting is so cool and the FMV sequences are insane 
! I love Gary Numan's cameo as Hypnos, but it feels like he's just there to say "Hey, I'm in this game" 
It's like they took all the excitement out of the game and replaced it with a dull game of hide and seek 
.
.
. It's got all the ingredients to be something special, but it just doesn't deliver 
.