From the creative minds of Cory Davis (Spec Ops: The Line) and Robin Finck (Nine Inch Nails) comes SLEEP AWAKE, a first-person psychedelic horror game that blurs the boundaries between reality and nightmare. Set in a sleepless dystopia where falling asleep means disappearing into “The HUSH,” players are thrust into a world of depraved death cults, reckless experiments, and warping realities.
Visually and aurally, the game is a triumph. It’s a mind-bending trip filled with vibrant colors, FMV sequences, and an “arresting” industrial score by Finck that perfectly captures the feeling of a waking fever dream. But underneath the hallucinogenic coat of paint lies a fairly standard, sometimes slow, walking simulator that struggles to match the intensity of its presentation with its gameplay or narrative payoff.
“A mind-bending trip through a sleepless dystopia. Unsettling and gripping, with a narrative that keeps you questioning what’s real.”
It’s like mixing the depressive atmosphere of Outlast with LSD—terrifying and beautiful, but occasionally confusing and frustrating.
A Trip of the Senses
The strongest element of SLEEP AWAKE is its atmosphere. The world is hand-crafted to be unsettling, with a stunning color palette and lighting effects that submerge you in cosmic horror. The integration of Full Motion Video (FMV) adds a layer of surrealism, making the nightmare feel tangible.
The sound design is equally impressive. Robin Finck’s score is excellent, creating heart-pumping moments that elevate the tension. As one player noted, the music is “amazing,” and the audio experience is a highlight. The game is also well-optimized, running smoothly with zero issues for most players.
Style Over Substance?
However, the gameplay doesn’t quite keep up with the visuals. At its core, SLEEP AWAKE is an “investigative-ish walking sim” with light stealth and simple puzzles. The opening is slow, testing players’ patience before the story picks up.
The narrative itself is a mixed bag. While compelling, it can be confusing and underwhelming. Some players felt they were left in the dark by the end, unsure of what actually happened or who certain characters were. Given the developers’ pedigree, expectations were high for a mind-blowing story, but for some, it fell short of being truly profound.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Stunning Visuals: Trippy, psychedelic art style with unique FMV integration. | ❌ Slow Start: The opening pacing tests patience before things get interesting. |
| ✅ Excellent Soundtrack: Robin Finck’s score is atmospheric and intense. | ❌ Confusing Narrative: The story can feel vague and underwhelming by the end. |
| ✅ Great Atmosphere: Successfully creates a feeling of dread and unease. | ❌ Simple Gameplay: Basic walking sim mechanics with light stealth and puzzles. |
| ✅ Smooth Performance: Well-optimized with no major technical issues reported. | ❌ Short Runtime: Can be beaten in 3-6 hours, with limited replayability. |
| ✅ Unique Concept: The “sleepless dystopia” setting is fresh and intriguing. | ❌ No Chapter Select: Missing collectibles requires a full replay. |
SLEEP AWAKE: This is a game for those who value atmosphere and audio-visual experiences over deep mechanical gameplay. It’s a strange, trippy ride through a unique nightmare world that looks and sounds incredible. However, if you're looking for a coherent, satisfying narrative conclusion or complex gameplay, you might find it lacking. It’s a "4/5 Worth Playing" for fans of artsy, atmospheric horror, but it’s definitely not for everyone. Good night, and sleep tight… if you can. – Flare
