D4 : Dark Dreams Don't Die (2014)

I said I'd do Hellblade first but then thought of posting two rev...ahem, recollections of my experiences together - Hellblade : Senua's Sacrifice and D4 : Dark Dreams Don't Die.
And guess what. I just "completed" D4 and felt I had to share my feelings right now - while they're 2 minutes old and fresh in my head - before I wake up less frustrated the next morning.
                                                   

I never really research a game in-depth before starting with it. Sure, I have a look at the plot and the general consensus, and then I dive right into it. And D4 felt like a good game; it had all the elements I love in a game. 

(Looking back, that feels like a terrible strategy. But it's only so that I don't learn of any spoilers unintentionally.)

It all began well. The first thing I liked was the graphic-novel style presentation (that Telltale fans will be really familiar with) used in the game. Oh, and you use "mementos" to travel to the past and re-examine scenes associated with these special objects. Despite several silly things, the game turned out to be fun overall. It's wacky, it's silly; it's amazing in several ways. Sure, it has its flaws; but it is just as much enjoyable. So what's the problem, you say?

I had really begun to get into the game. I had begun to accept (and at times, even sneak a laugh and a shake of the head) at some of the sillier things in the game (read: Amanda's thank-you dance if you increase the Friendship level to the max).  I reach the end of the second episode, and a "To be continue...D" pops up. That's okay. 

But it turns out, there is no second season. Um...what? Just when I was totally enjoying the story? And I was really looking forward to solving the case (our wife's death - we don't remember)! How the hell did I miss this? If I'd known, I wouldn't have expected the story to reach to a conclusion. But I did. And I expected some good reveals along the way, that the first season tries to set up. 

(Sighs)

I was pissed 10 minutes ago. Now I'm just sad. Apparently, the director departed from Access Games and hence no more episodes. There isn't really anyone to blame. It's not like a network canceled a beloved show (*Firefly*). To be fair, they made Serenity to wrap things up. I don't think there's gonna be a wrap-up here. For now, at least. 

(Sighs)

So get into this one only if you're okay with an incomplete story; overall, a game that is going to leave you wanting more, but there simply isn't going to be any more.

Next up : Hellblade. 

Later.