Japanese indie developer and doctor NamariKarte recently released their free Unity game This is Just a Game (unofficial translation. Official title:これはただのゲームです) via Unityroom. Created for the platform’s One-week Game Jam event, the puzzle-solving mystery title went viral in Japan for its fourth-wall breaking premise and an overall high level of execution.
In This is Just a Game, you, the player, have to communicate with Saku Inugami, a psychiatric patient who is convinced that he is living inside of a video game, and teach him about the reality of the world he lives in. Using the chat box on the screen, you can directly talk to Inugami and show him the “truth” of this world. The empty cans of alcohol in Saku’s room might be called “Thrilling Zero” in the in-game universe, but what is their counterpart in the reality you (the player) live in? Alongside the metafictional ARG-approach, the game features “high-difficulty mystery elements” and puzzles, according to artist and UI designer Foy.
According to NamariKarte, the game is inspired by real symptoms of schizophrenia. They warn users that, despite the game being created by an actual doctor, there are some scenes and expressions that may cause discomfort to some. While exploring Inugami’s room, you are sometimes unexpectedly flashed with medical terms related to schizophrenia and its symptoms, and the atmosphere grows more unsettling as you progress. However, the developer reassured players interested in the game that it does not feature any “direct” horror elements (though discretion is still advised).
Due to the game’s high difficulty, the creator also made a list of hints for those who may be having some trouble with the puzzles, though there are no solutions or spoilers included.
You can play This is Just a Game for free on Unityroom, both on desktop and mobile. Please note that the game is currently available only in Japanese.
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