: Overview of the protagonist’s role as a psychiatrist grappling with a government conspiracy and personal amnesia.

: Case study of characters like Virginia (anxiety/self-image) or Lucas (isolation), whose inner torments become the level's primary antagonists. 3. Therapeutic Narrative Structure In Sound Mind Review

: Journeying into "case files" (tapes) that transform mental health struggles into interactive physical worlds. 2. Mechanical Symbolism: Translating Trauma into Gameplay

This paper explores the ludonarrative design of In Sound Mind , a first-person psychological horror game that positions the player as a therapist, Desmond Wales, navigating the fragmented memories of his deceased patients. Unlike traditional survival horror that focuses on external threats, this game externalizes internal psychological struggles through unique environmental mechanics and "boss" manifestations of trauma. The study examines how the game uses environmental storytelling and specialized puzzle mechanics—such as the mirror shard—to represent the process of confronting and healing from psychological scars. 1. Introduction: Horror as a Healing Space

: Analysis of how the mirror mechanic allows players to see "invisible" truths, symbolizing self-reflection and the discovery of hidden trauma.

Paper Title: The Architect of Trauma: Analyzing Narrative Therapy and Mental Health Representation in "In Sound Mind"