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Year Unknown header art

Year Unknown

A story-based exploration game about the very far future. With the help of two Artificial Intelligences, explore a universe conquered by humanity, uncover your purpose in it, and try to stop it from falling apart.

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Developer
Publisher
Release
October 7, 2024
1 year and 299 days ago
Steam Reviews
Very Positive61 reviews96.7%

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Updated: Jul 10, 2026Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer.
Updated: Jul 10, 2026Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher.
Updated: Jul 10, 2026Publisher statusHow the game's publishing relationship is classified.
Search Google: How is Year Unknown and Julian Heuser funded?FundingThe known source of funding behind the game.
Search Google: Who controls the creative direction and IP for Year Unknown and Julian Heuser?Creative controlWho appears to retain creative control of the game.
Updated: Jul 10, 2026Release statusWhether and how the game has been released.

Media

9 items

About the Game

Year Unknown is a short "walking sim" with a branching narrative. It takes ~1 hour to complete.

Story

Explore The Library, a megastructure the size of the universe, filled with all of humanity's knowledge. To guide you are two Artificial Intelligences, built to process its massive collection of information.

But something else is calling you - a distress call from the center of the universe. The stagnant universe is breaking down, and there may be no way to save it.

Gameplay

Explore brutalist landscapes, and find terminals to talk to two AI. Both have different thoughts and opinions, and might tell you different things. Fortunately, you have control: choose which AI to talk to, what to tell them or leave out, and ultimately, decide who you agree with.

Accessibility

Includes the following accessibility options:

  • Text size adjustment

  • OpenDyslexic as an alternative font

  • Text-to-speech

  • Option to reduce the motion of certain effects and sequences

Note: This game does not contain content from a generative AI. The AI in the game are written characters.