Atmospheric journey for those with a dusk within (Hotel Dusk: Room 215 (DS))

Member Name: daniash

Product:	Hotel Dusk: Room 215 (DS)
Date:	14/05/09 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great atmosphere, original graphic theme

Disadvantages: Some plot elements a bit naive

This game starts slow, and in the first stages of it you even wonder why you bothered starting another graphic novel. But it will build up and up, and the closer to the core of the mystery you get, the less willing you'll be to put it down for another time.

December 27, 1979.
It starts with an animated intro movie, narrated with beatifully sad music and moods of genuine despair that set the mood perfectly - an ex NYPD cop turned drunk lonely salesman after a crashed case and in search for redemption - you are surrounded by an irresistible and nostalgic atmosphere. One day, you receive a very special request for a 'sales' job with a sneaky task on the side - reluctantly you check into Hotel Dusk, a shabby southwestern establishment. What you don't know is that this seemingly godforsaken place may get you closer to the truth you're searching for about your past.

This game's plot may start slow, but when the events of the story start to become interesting you'll start wishing you were around to enjoy the mystery. You'll enjoy this game more if you don't rush it, although that's hard to do in the later chapters as it gets so gripping.

The characters are wonderfully painted, both graphically (brilliant use of a rotoscope technique) and personality-wise, and the dialogue is consistently brilliant, both in the dramatic and the humorous passages. It contains a well weighed amount of slang that gives it that extra touch.

You may argue that a few plot elements are a bit naive, but that will not detract from the immensely satisfying storytelling and the great atmosphere. It may not be for everybody - I know quite a few people who didn't like it. But you have to have a hidden crepuscular side to you if you are to enjoy this - if you want to test yourself, look at the game cover... if you like it, you'll probably dig the game. I enjoyed every minute of it.

Summary: A very enjoyable story that when it gets going, it will drag you in.