D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die Reviews
D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die is such an unsatisfying adventure game due to it ending way before it even truly begins. All of the elements were in the right place for a worthy successor to one of the greatest cult surprises from last gen, thanks to Swery's ambitious creative choices and boldness to have stat management in an otherwise non-skill oriented genre. Sadly, all of these flourishes are painfully undermined because of the story's abrupt cliff-hanger that is not built up to. The way D4 leaves so many plot threads unresolved and with no proper climax is guaranteed to frustrate anybody who plays this. The future of D4 is very unclear if it will ever get resolution, and while there has been an announcement of a second season, there is no indication that it will conclude the story of David Young. This game is very hard to recommend because, while it is interesting and is not like anything else available, it is also a massive tease with no promise of satisfaction.
Dedicated fans of Japanese absurdity may find something worthwhile in D4. Everyone else will be stuck with an unfinished story and unsatisfying gameplay, for a price that seems too high for just two episodes.
D4 stands as compelling proof of how Kinect 2.0 still isn't and likely never will be ready for prime time.
D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die is far from perfect. Like Deadly Premonition before it D4 suffers from awkward controls, and some frustrating nonsensical mechanics.
Minor issues and short playtime aside, D4 is well worth a look, and one of the few times the "better with Kinect" slogan is appropriate.
'D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die' is an odd, quirky little game. It is not for everyone, and its cornucopia of bugs and stutters does not help its case. And yet, it does have a certain charm that started to grow on me during the second episode. Fans of SWERY's previous outings will find a lot to like. It doesn't have the legs of a full gaming "meal," but it could serve as a light snack.
D4 is a wacky and weird adventure game that takes a familiar core premise and spices it up with quirky characters, trippy plot developments, and time travel. Motion controls have been integrated in an intuitive way, which helps to invest the player in their role, but occasional recognition issues and arm fatigue might have you reaching for a controller instead. Either way you play, D4 is a solid start to the series, and it offers up enough offbeat humor and intrigue to satisfy the Deadly Premonition fans. There are gameplay elements that miss their mark, and the pacing isn't perfect, but it's not enough to kill these dark dreams dead. Someone tell SWERY that we're ready for more.
D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die might make you want to smash stamina mechanics, but its strange aura is packed with character, unorthodox plot and is very much made from love from its director and team, and while it's not the best game ever, it's one that should be given the chance to live on and continue bringing something different to video games, because you can never have enough variety in one medium.
It's very rare you find a game this self-aware about how ludicrous the situations you're in are. D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die is definitely a case you'd want to solve.
D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die is a unique and surreal experience from start to finish, but its episodic nature leaves players feeling unsatisfied. Open-minded gamers will enjoy the experience, but those seeking traditional story and gameplay should avoid.
This is just the beginning for D4, as more episodes are forthcoming. But for now, it's a solid package. Swery's latest is off to a good start.
D4 is so weird, strange and different that it's hard to pass up
D4 is all kinds of crazy, and you may not take to its unique brand of humor. But if you do, there's no forgetting it.
A worthy follow-up to Deadly Premonition, although whether it earns the same classic status will depend largely on the subsequent episodes.
Fans of Deadly Premonition will love this bizarre, offbeat murder mystery.
D4 is a darkly weird game, and one that boasts a fair amount of polish as it experiments with genres and controls. It's not for everyone, but the solid Kinect input and trademark Japanese madness make for one deep dive that you won't soon forget.
This episodic adventure succeeds in its storytelling and character development. The gameplay offering is all over the place, and often feels disconnected from the narrative flow
A police adventure like no other, with limits and flaws. But also personality and good ideas.
Review in Italian | Read full review
A strange, intangible experience, with style that transcends its own rubbishness.
Arrived on the Xbox One digital store almost on the sly, D4 proves to be one of the best surprises of this beginning of the videogame season. It is in fact a pity that Microsoft's abandonment of Kinect has partially denied the limelight to an exclusive that lovers of the most action-oriented graphic adventures will not fail to appreciate: what D4 grants on the technical and on the precision in the reading of the player's movements, he is in fact rewarded by a fascinating story, full of surreal situations and characters but with a convincing design, capable of thrilling the player for all its (unfortunately) short duration.
Review in Italian | Read full review