Reviews

Deadly Premonition is probably one of the greatest games you'll never play. Given the low profile, it's the type of a game that'll be shoved on the bottom shelf in a video game store, without so much of a mention from the guy behind the counter who's too busy claiming that Medal of Honor is worth your £40 (even though it'll last you one evening). If there was any justice in the video game world, Deadly Premonition will be sat in clear view with a big "Must Buy" sticker stamped on the front. It's the most entertaining 30 or so hours you'll have all year, AND it's a budget game!

As if they were cut from the script of cult television series Twin Peaks, the story, themes and weirdness of Deadly Premonition are identical to Lynch's show. You play highly bizarre FBI agent, Francis York Morgan, who travels to nowhereville, aka Greenvale, to investigate the peculiar murder of the local prom queen (or she may as well be). A simple investigation this is not, as York (as he's known) will not only have to face up to the weird folk of the town, but there's also the case of the notorious Raincoat Killer - a supernatural, red raincoat wearing, axe wielding weirdo who only comes out to play when it rains - to deal with. All good fun.

Deadly Premonition borrows from just about every game out there. It has the strange otherworld from Silent Hill (albeit not as creepy), the interactive cinematic elements from Heavy Rain (albeit not as pretentious), the free roam freedom of Grand Theft Auto (albeit not as big), and is in fact the open-world investigative adventure Alan Wake first promised to be. The game runs in half real time, which means one in-game hour will be 30 minutes in real life. Often in-between the main story missions you'll have many hours to kill before you get to the next mission's starting point. In this time you are free to drive around the town and countryside, investigating some of the free roaming NPC suspects. Often talking to one at the right time in the right place will open up a side mission. Granted these can be simple affairs, which mainly revolve around fetch quests.

You'll often find yourself with very little to do (or at least nothing obvious). When this is the case you can partake in some recreational activities such as darts or fishing. Alternatively you can spark up a smoke to see the time flash by in seconds. Usually though, a good drive around will bring some more craziness your way. Then there's your health to think about. Every day you need to shave and change your clothes, otherwise flies will linger around you to show how dirty you are. You also need to consider sleep and hunger, as not doing so could result in game over.

The missions themselves can be repetitive, and occasionally tiresome. You'll rush off to a new location for one reason or another, in which you'll opt to investigate alone. When this is the case it's a given that what lays ahead is some arduous battling against the seemingly invincible monsters in search of a specific number of clues. Once found, York will then profile them in his thoughts to bring his investigation together. Pay attention too, as he'll be quizzing you about his findings in-between chapters.

The monsters are fairly creepy (at first), reminiscent of enemies from Silent Hill or just about every Japanese horror film ever made. The problem is they don't die easily. The viewpoint is the same over-the-shoulder camera from Resident Evil 4 and 5, complete with laser targeting. While you can lock-on to help with aiming, naturally this never locks on to the enemy's head. It's the head shot that is essential to taking out these foes, even then they can take several clips before finally giving up the ghost (even on the normal setting).

This is a problem when you have several of them oncoming at one time, and it can lead to some screams of "unfair" followed by some obscenities. The other-world "dungeons" can be a chore, but all is forgiven as it's intrigue that keeps you going. You may not feel like you're necessarily enjoying it at the time, but you sure as hell want to find those clues and progress the narrative. Purely because you know something special awaits around the corner.

It has many flaws. The controls are very questionable, the combat can be stretched and annoying, it's very slow paced, full of tedious moments, with over-long cut-scenes and graphics that might have looked amazing nine years ago. You hate it already right? You have good reason to. However, give the game a chance and you'll find it is one hell of a ride. It has much more going for it that makes it worthy of your time. It's compelling, very funny at times (fantastic film and game references), often disturbing and even the music is 'whistle down the street' brilliant, albeit repetitive.

York is a unique protagonist, and perhaps one of the most memorable characters you'll ever have the pleasure to play as in video game history. It's the type of game that you'll yearn to come back to when it's switched off, all the way to the conclusion. It's also a game that deserves a sequel. One that will perhaps improve all the downfalls to make it essential. Zach, what do you think? If Zach could speak I'm sure he would agree.