Have you ever gotten that feeling of loneliness, where you have nothing and no one? What about the impending dread that the world may end tomorrow, and not know how? Well, that’s exactly what No I’m not a Human asks in one of the most obscure, disturbing ways possible. In a world falling apart and strange beings arriving, you don’t know who you can trust or who you can’t. However, you can trust in our No, I’m not a human review, thanks to the amazing Team at Critical Reflex!

This creepy detective investigation game and paranoid imposter finder will have you second-guessing who you let in. And who you keep out. But are your new roomies really humans, or are they visitors? Read on and find out!

WARNING: There will be light spoilers ahead for the story of the game; however, due to there being multiple endings. There are many ways your story can differ.

Story:

The story starts with our character speaking with his neighbor about a recent trip to the beach. He talks about how hot it was and that he doesn’t want to do anything. Your friend comes to check on you out of concern for you being alone. He has heard talk of something happening to the sun and worries about us being alone. He wants us to check on us out of worry and make sure we are safe. After a conversation, he offers a case of beer and lets us rest, stating he will be leaving later.

However, the next day, it is revealed on the news that the Sun has exploded! It is now releasing cosmic rays hotter than ever before. Now it is no longer safe to be out in the day. However, there are now reports of strange beings, called vistors, coming from the underground. Clawing their way from beneath the earth. And they are killing and replacing people. They look like us, talk like us, but are not human.

They Come From BELOW!

What unfolds after is a fight for survival, but not in the usual sense. We are not safe alone, as a Tall Pale Man waits to kill us if we are. But the people we let in are not all they may seem. Each with their own stories and issues, but can they be trusted to be who they say they are? A game of paranoia as we learn ways to spot these Visitors. Will we survive, will we fall into despair, or will our need for isolation be our undoing?

All of these unique points play out across a game with multiple endings of uncertainty, intrigue, and humanity. One of the endings I received was unfortunate due to the circumstances, and I loved it! While there is so much to explore and changes to make, it can play out differently. This gives quite a bit to the replayability as you uncover the story over multiple playthroughs. This allows No, I’m not Human to offer so much in a small package.

Sound:

In an interesting manner, No, I’m not human actually has a very minimal approach to its sound design. There is very little voice acting, outside of a few select scenes. Instead, it relies heavily on ambience. With an eerie silence throughout the house and very soft, dread-fuelled background music that’s so soft it makes your skin crawl. The only other sounds are the knocking of your front door and the late-night company.

This approach allows you to really feel the isolation and creepy nature of this new world. While there is still a bit that may be lacking for some, this still feels impactful to allow one to create their own view of the world.

Visuals:

The visuals of the game are absolutely grotesque. This is not a bad thing in the slightest. The designs of the people you meet are so exaggerated or off-putting that they make them seem almost otherworldly, creepy, and nerve-wracking. This adds to the uneasy feeling and uncanny valley feeling that the game prides itself on. From exaggerated long limbs to unsettling facial features.

Pair this with the fact that you are constantly having to inspect parts of their body (which I’ll explain later), and it makes it just disturbing. Even if they are almost completely normal in every aspect. Mix this with the game’s night vision-like aesthetic, with much of the game taking place at night in the dark. You have this washed-out green look. Only seeing the characters in color during the days. This adds to the creepy atmosphere the game creates. While an artistic choice, it adds to the game’s charm.

Gameplay:

Now, for the gameplay of the game, it’s both a simple one and just deep enough to be involved in. You are trapped in your house, a very small area to move in. However, it grows in time as you invite people to stay with you. The way it works is each night you’ll be visited by people looking for refuge, but you have to ask them some questions. Then you’ll make a choice whether to allow them to stay or leave. However, you have to be cautious as some are not all they appear to be.

Each day, you can speak to your new roommates, but you will also be given new clues from FEMA, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency. They will provide new ways to be able to interrogate and test your new friends to see if they are truly the underground beings called Vistors. You will be provided an option to either remove them or allow them to stay. But be warned that if you do have a visitor, they will kill a member of your community. Until they ultimately can kill you. So you’re having to carefully protect your house and yourself.

DON’T LET THEM IN!

That’s not to include the outside threats of a very pale, unique visitor waiting for you to be alone. A cult obsessed with the concept of death as a goddess. Or a deranged Visitor hunter cleansing them all. As well as if you’re truly able to trust FEMA. All this is mixed in with secret messages you can decode from radio broadcasts and calls you can make on your phone. What is truly happening to the world outside, who is truly trustworthy, and what will happen to you? All of these are key to your survival, and that’s amongst the 60 people you can meet and interact with, and among 10 different endings you can unlock. There is so much to discover and find. I found myself stressed out, uncertain of who to use my inspections on, let alone on myself.

It added to the dread of Should I let anyone in and join me? Am I really me, or am I something else? It was a truly anxious time that left me wanting more, even in its very easy and straightforward approach. Had me wanting to try and get every ending and meet every person.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, my time with my No I’m not a Human review was a goosebumps-inducing good time. What made it scary is in its approach. Instead of jumpscares in the face, they played with your mind and made it psychological, which made it much more scary.

Its minimal approach to sound and gameplay was honestly a big part of why it works so well in my mind. I honestly loved it and wish sometimes these types of games took this approach, which allows more for unique experiences that are fun to play.

I want to thank the team at Critical Reflex for providing us with the key for our No I’m Not A Human review. The game is now out on Steam, and you can pick it up today for yourself.

So, tell us, are you ready to stay inside, close the blinds, and only let the humans inside? Be sure to tell s your thoughts and if you’re going to check out the game in the comments below. Be sure to also check out any of our other reviews as well!

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