Suppose It Were Your Psychologist Who Needed Therapy—Then What?
If you hear whispers of a psychological horror game—one that feels refreshingly original and leaves players in silence, haunted by a thousand questions about themselves—chances are it’s In Sound Mind. Developed by We Create Stuff and published by Modus Games, the title was released on September 28, 2021, and is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
We Create Stuff, Well Done
We Create Stuff is an Israeli development studio that had already made a name for itself with the Nightmare House series. With In Sound Mind, the team made its debut in the commercial gaming scene, partnering with Modus Games for the title’s release—while still preserving its unmistakably indie identity.
A Story Driven by Deep and Resonant Premises
In Sound Mind is a first-person experience that artfully blends psychological horror, exploration, and puzzle-solving. You step into the shoes of Desmond Wales, a psychiatrist who journeys through his patients’ minds via audio recordings, confronting and attempting to cleanse their fears and traumas within surreal, profoundly unsettling environments—shadows lurking that sometimes dwell within each of us.
In the Shadows of the Psiche
The game begins with a sweeping view that starts beneath a star-studded night sky and gradually descends into the basement of a mysterious building, revealing a city submerged beneath the waters. It is in this underground chamber that Desmond awakens, bereft of any memory of his past. As he ventures through the space, he arrives at the ground floor of what unmistakably resembles an apartment complex, only to discover that each room embodies the mind of one of his patients—concealing their fears and their deepest, most repressed traumas. Each room transports Desmond into the dwelling of one of four patients, where he uncovers a recorded tape. Listening to these tapes in his office on the second floor grants him access to their minds, where he must confront nightmarish creatures and solve intricate puzzles to unravel the truth behind their tragic demise.
When the Psyche Awakens from Within
The narrative of In Sound Mind is truly original, layered with unexpected twists and steeped in an atmosphere of mystery and psychological unease. Giving shape to the subconscious is no simple feat, yet the creators at We Create Stuff boldly attempt it. Since the patients are deeply tormented, the game naturally portrays surreal, stylized, unsettling, and almost cursed environments, perfectly reflecting four disturbed minds. The result? An intense sense of psychological oppression. Stepping through each patient’s door, we are plunged into their inner world—a place unseen by anyone, not even Desmond himself. Here, our psychiatrist finally confronts a realm forged from fears and traumas, inhabited by shadows and damned creatures that have long plagued not only the minds but also the hearts of those patients he could never save.
Beneath the Surface
The Unity engine—renowned for its flexibility and capacity to shape richly detailed, dynamic environments—performs admirably once again, though the result carries a faintly dated aftertaste and never truly dazzles. On the other hand, the deft touch of electronic rock collective The Living Tombstone elevates the game’s soundscape with a strikingly iconic and emotionally charged score. What follows is an audio experience steeped in haunting atmosphere—one that audibly reflects a mind drowning in its own depths. Each sonic layer feels precisely attuned to the game’s psychological pulse: intensifying moments of tension, sorrow, and dread, while also capturing those rare, cathartic intervals that urge you to set down the controller… and simply surrender to the emotion.
Gameplay That Serves the Story
The game blends first-person exploration, environmental puzzle-solving, and tense confrontations with shadowy, often otherworldly entities. Each chapter introduces distinctive gameplay mechanics—whether through specialized tools used to manipulate the environment or inventive ways to overcome enemies. Desmond’s arsenal is surprisingly varied: from conventional firearms like pistols and shotguns, to smoke-dispensing flare launchers, blades, radio-disrupting devices, and even pills that awaken latent psychic faculties.
The combat system is straightforward yet effective, demanding careful resource management, as depletion of supplies can lead to severe consequences. Progression is equally well-structured: audio recordings are introduced in a deliberate sequence, seamlessly guiding players deeper into the fractured minds of Desmond’s four tormented patients.
Guiding us through this surreal odyssey is Tonia, Desmond’s ever-watchful cat. From the quiet solitude of his office, she becomes a gentle guide—her silent presence infused with both a comforting familiarity and a quiet, ineffable sorrow.
A Sudden Twist
Desmond wanders through the building, its rooms, and the recesses of the human psyche—but never alone. From the very beginning, a mysterious figure materializes before him: elegant, towering, and disquieting. At times it offers insight, at others, derision—its words often dripping with accusation, laying the burden of guilt upon Desmond’s shoulders. Who—or what—is this entity that speaks with such venomous familiarity? Might it be tied to the unexpected fifth recording, unearthed only after Desmond explores the minds of his four patients? And why do even they appear to hold him accountable for their ruin? Is there something we don’t know about Dr. Desmond Wales?
Critics Approve
In Sound Mind received generally favorable reviews from critics. On Metacritic, the PC version holds a score of 75 out of 100, based on 18 critic reviews, with the console editions earning comparably positive reception.
Key Strengths
The narrative is undoubtedly one of the game’s greatest strengths—intriguing, filled with twists, and imbued with profound themes that provoke thoughtful reflection. The distinctive settings and immersive atmosphere deeply captivate the player, further elevated by creative, varied gameplay mechanics that remain accessible and intuitive. Lastly, every sound the player encounters is impeccably orchestrated, resonating with perfect timing to amplify the emotional impact.
Areas for Improvement
At release, the game experienced occasional crashes, issues that seem to have been largely addressed with time. However, the frantic pace of certain sections can still induce motion sickness in some players. Another common critique involves a sense of repetitiveness. While each patient’s world is uniquely defined by their psyche, the approaches to confronting shadows and solving particular puzzles may gradually start to feel somewhat repetitive.
In Sound Mind
PRO
- An intriguing narrative filled with twists and thought-provoking themes;
- evocative settings and a captivating atmosphere;
- diverse, inventive, yet accessible gameplay mechanics;
- sound design perfectly attuned to the context.
CON
- Occasional motion sickness in the fast-paced sections of the game;
- A sense of repetitiveness that some may notice in enemy encounters and specific puzzles.
7.5/10
