D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die - Season 1 (2014)

Knowing the release history of D4, I was expecting some broken promises heading in. What I wasn't expecting is that an ambitious, strange, and utterly delightful game was being hinted at in these first few chapters of what never was.

The player takes the role of David Young, a private investigator whose wife was murdered involving a strange drug called "Real Blood". Gaining the power to travel into the past via special mementos and evidence, he seeks to solve the case and possibly undo the grim future.

The game has peculiar but very streamlined elements for a graphic adventure game similar to the Telltale series. There are some dialogue options, and talking to people/investigating the area will produce evidence that moves the game forward. However, using almost anything in the game takes up a stamina meter, and the player must be careful in where/how they expediently investigate. Fortunately there are items handy, so for the fervent explorer the game has the player covered. Many actions, from important paths forward to side quests to pushing people repeatedly for fun rewards a currency that can be used to buy extra items or outfits, and a special vision meter can help the player find what they need. It's not challenging, but somehow more solidly put together than you'd think.

The action kicks in with a variety of QTE segments, with timed events that flash across the screen. The actions seem simple but much like a rhythm game accuracy is rewarded for future efforts and nailing some of the insane events in this game (as well as accidentally failing them) are highly entertaining. Home run into a fake eye? Dancing across barrels? Spitting gum into a flying knife? David Young has this covered.

The look of this game can't be ignored, as D4 goes a step above cel-shading into an abrasive look that seems a little aliased on XB1/PC but is impressively unique. Characters are detailed into a variety of stereotypes, some more offensive than others, but the game's storytelling fixes up some very interesting threads to follow as a plane trip becomes far more than it initially seems. The main character is fairly likeable and the cast is full of surprises.

The music is also incredibly standout, with an eclectic soundtrack that ranges into melancholy ambience, peppy zingers, and the most Irish action sequence music I've ever heard in a video game. Blame it on this game's love of Boston.

The part about this game that can't be ignored is that only three episodes were ever available - a prologue, and two chapters. The creator is disinterested in continuing this story which is a shame - by Chapter 2 the threads ramp up into an exciting and flavorful tale that ends too soon, but it's absolutely worth trying out to see what could have been.

I'm quite enjoying this, picked it up for a bargain on steam. It's a really creative game, and I love this developer, he's definitely pushing the boundaries with this. In some ways it's a bit like an interactive movie, but it's the best damn interactive movie I've ever interacted with. It's a shame that they went for the episodic release format; it has become common lately and I definitely don't agree with it.

It's a strange game, with a strange story. It's influenced by Twin Peaks, but it also feels a bit like Heavy Rain. I don't think this game is for everyone, but if you like weird stuff or Twin Peaks or if you're sick of the standard gaming fare then you might enjoy it. For $5 on steam this game was a bargain and well worth it. Much of the game is spent watching in-game sequences and following QTEs, which I usually hate but I think they work quite well here. The game is really beautiful and polished, well thought-out. It's like the kind of game you play with a warm mug of coffee. It's dripping with style and has a totally unique perspective. The cinematic moments in the game, the characters and the plot are at a new tier of quality; the kind of craftsmanship rarely seen in games with the standard predictable throw-away narratives and characters.

Deadly Premonition is still my favourite game from this developer; it was a lot more open, a lot more interactive, allowing the player to explore and to choose his/her own path through the experience, rather than being carefully pushed through on rails.

I really appreciate this developer and it's a shame that developers struggle to get funding for unique ideas like this. Perhaps when Lynch's Twin Peaks reboot comes out next year we might see some renewed interest in Swery (the dev), or maybe he'll launch a Kickstarter; I think he'd definitely get funded. I hope the rest of the game is eventually released, but even more than that I'd like to see a sequel to Deadly Premonition or at least something similar to that masterpiece.

I'd give it 7 out of 10. If it was a full game (instead of the episode release format) I would give it a much higher score, and I would have bought it on release (instead of waiting for the steam sale).