Video Game Reviews - Tokyo Dark Test (PC)

The Square Enix Collective, which aims to support projects developed in a small committee and with a budget away from the AAA that is regularly given to us, welcomes a new resident. It is about Tokyo Dark, project in gestation for several years and often tried with happiness on the public lounges. A game that has piqued our interest for a long time, if only for its atmosphere and its setting, and that we launched the fear in the belly.

Ayami Ito is not on his plate. His partner, Kazuki Tanaka, has not given a sign of life for a few days. No news, good news ? If the two young people were not inspectors of the Tokyo Police and specialized in morbid cases, one would think that he had just gone to look for cigarettes and that she was worried for nothing. But no. There's something suspicious about it. The fact that the mobile phone of the missing person was relighted at once in a sordid corner of Shinjuku and that Ito had terrible visions linked to a traumatic affair that left her on the tile for many weeks suggests that it is a pity of black pudding.

Atmosphere of the fright

The first minutes are perfect for the atmosphere of Tokyo Dark. One knows as soon as one begins to embody the policeman in the yellow eye of this sadly francophobic (English or Japanese only) visual novel with the paces of point and click 2D: the unhealthy aspect and a little gore that immediately reveals will not fade. On the contrary. During her investigation, who sees her pacing different districts of the Japanese capital (rather well detailed) looking for clues and important witnesses to understand the ins and outs of the situation that makes her slightly lose the ball, Ito will not feel never in peace. Despite her colorful anime, who does not hesitate to beat the kittens and waitresses of cute bars in the kawaii, Cherrymochi's game is nothing like a children's tale. The sounds, between dissonant music and intense crackling, as well as the image, sometimes scrambled, broken and which does not skimp on the blood or on a few jumpscares based on unexpected apparitions, combine marvelously with a story at the bottom for the least disturbing, where some characters - some not necessarily well drawn - will not leave you indifferent ... Who is Reina, the mysterious girl with the red hair that literally haunts the heroine? Where is she from ? What does she want? How to stop it without becoming maboule? And then first, who says Ito is not fantasizing?

Mask and a club

This Reina will quickly become an obsession mouse in hand. And to get to your ends, we will have to deal with certain things. Starting with the surprising SPIN. Under this acronym that turns the head, four characteristics that will influence the smooth running of events. Mental Health, Professionalism, Investigation and Neurosis. The first cited, which increases by forgetting to take its sedatives and noting some things not very Catholic can make you lose the thread. The second shows that you follow the rules issued by your tradeskill, the third you have to advance properly and the last one you need an ice jar to accompany your fetal position.

The variations between these four factors will be closely monitored, depending on your choice. At almost every moment, you will have to decide how to solve a riddle or keep a discussion to your advantage. For example, it's up to you to see if you are taking your pills or not, knowing that it will calm you but will blur your perception - Carrie Mathison has gone through it. You may also choose to ignore exhibits that are too bloody to preserve. Not to mention that in order to convince someone to give you a helping hand, there will often be a strong way (intimidation or violence), direct, within reach but unseen, or something more subtle, often requiring a displacement and a hair search in a place that was thought to have already returned. Beware, however, if the outcome does not suit you, no question of going back. An automatic backup will make you let live with your "mistakes", even though, except in a few specific cases, there is no right or wrong decision.

Ito mama tambien

In fact, after about five hours you will be sailing - with a little too much back and forth in the same places - in a glorious Tokyo, where there is a mix of harassing cases not very bright, problems cops , Yakuza's fads and paranormal, even horrifying stories of grinding your knees, you may feel that you have not seen everything, not all understood, and most of all, that you did not lead the adventure you wanted it. Fortunately, in the manner of a NieR Automata, the unfolding of credits does not mark the end. A New Game + will intervene to allow new approaches, with several blocks of safeguards - God being praised - unblocking. The kind of idea which, despite certain reiterations, clearly pushes to dig in the heart of this millstone of fatty mysteries, oozing madness. And learn more about anything that can crush you into spinning without grumbling towards the big ten dozens of planned outcomes.

NOTE : 6/10

With its oppressive atmosphere and its investigation greatly influenced by our decisions, Tokyo Dark is illustrated as a success in its kind. If one recognizes him a few blunders, especially in character design and this tendency to backtracking, impossible not to appreciate it from end to end as it is easy to access and is eye-catching with its lugubre story to wish and his system of choice well thought out.

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