Hotel Dusk: Room 215 - Nobody Wants This Game To End... Ever...

[Strell]

5 copies at my Best Buy.

Snagged one with a GGC.

Going to start this immediately after finishing PW2.

[ArthurDigbySellers]

Got one at my local Best Buy this afternoon. They had around 10 copies which really surprised me. One of the employees was stocking them as I walked up to the DS display.

Also, they had 3 Wiis in stock and I grabbed one for my in-laws! Target also had 5 Wiis. Maybe the supply is starting to ramp up?

[daroga]

Got one at my local Best Buy this afternoon. They had around 10 copies which really surprised me. One of the employees was stocking them as I walked up to the DS display.

Also, they had 3 Wiis in stock and I grabbed one for my in-laws! Target also had 5 Wiis. Maybe the supply is starting to ramp up?leb, you've given me hope. Maybe the wife and I will head to Best Buy this evening. :)

Awesome to hear that Wiis are becoming more available. I hope before mid-Feb. they'll be everywhere.

[Javery]

I'm one of the idiots for paying $5 above MSRP. I picked up my copy at GameStop (it's within walking distance from work) after striking out at Best Buy, Circuit City and a different GameStop yesterday. It was worth the extra $5 to avoid any further hassles.

[Cream]

Anyone else pre-order from EB? Mine hasn't shipped yet :(

[blue_volvo]

Picked up one of three copies they had out at Best Buy.

Get them while you can!

[Chacrana]

So... why're we acting like these games are going to be gone forever after this first print run?

[RevdrJFlash]

Maybe people are afraid this will be like Phoenix Wright 1 which had a limited first run and the price skyrocketed. No idea, guess we're just psyched lol.

[ratzombie]

So... why're we acting like these games are going to be gone forever after this first print run?
"Why're" ?

Typically niche games like this have a very short print run, and I think we're also just excited because this game looks fucking awesome.

[psunami]

Gametrailers Video Review (http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?type=mov&id=16494)

[RelentlessRolento]

picked mine up an hour ago. I'm just happy I have one since it encompasses alot of things I like.

[AK85]

I hope that I can find it tonight before school.

If Walmart doesn't have it, I might have to suck it up and pay the extra $5 at Gamestop, just to save the trouble of finding it.

[Javery]

I can confirm the awesomeness of this game. It's really cool - it screams for real voice acting though.... maybe next time...

[RelentlessRolento]

I can confirm the awesomeness of this game. It's really cool - it screams for real voice acting though.... maybe next time...


I can see that happening with a sequal... here's hoping it's not a single game without sequals.

[bugg33]

Don't think this one will become super scarce as it is Nintendo published. Probably have the same rarity of Trace Memory.

[RelentlessRolento]

Oh... wow!

I only played the beginning with tehe clerk and man... I'm already blown away. The visual style (complimented by some of the best use of animation and emotion in a while) and gameplay is already something great. Even with the slow pacing text, as reviewers complained about, the text is a perfect pace for the mood.

Instant classic in my book even with only 10 min of play time.

[daroga]

Man, that's lame.

Just called Best Buy again and got a really, really nice girl on the phone, she went digging in the back saying "We've got 6 of them! Where are they?!" Evidently the store is sticking to the 29th "street date." I told her that they're in other stores all over the place, but to no avail. I guess I'll just get it on Monday. :P

[spiwak]

If you buy it from Buy.com using Google Checkout (first time only), you'd be getting it for $22.39. I think that price has convinced me its probably worth it.

[clockworkgreen]

Has anyone that ordered with Amazon had it ship? Wondering what they're considering the street date.

[redsox6391]

Has anyone that ordered with Amazon had it ship? Wondering what they're considering the street date.
Yep, mine shipped today (ordered it two days ago). :applause:

[RelentlessRolento]

Nothing but pure great personality overload. Just finished chapter 1 and have to say Kyle, Louie, and Dunning are true standouts and likeable in every way.

[Warg]

Went to a local Best Buy, and they had 4 in stock, though the associate helping me kept saying that they had to stick to their Jan 29 release date or risk getting in deep trouble. Though, after I mentioned that everyone else had the date as January 22 and asked if by chance a manager would okay it -- he confirmed the Jan 22 date online, wondered why Best Buy's offices would put that date, checked with the Assistant Store Manager and he too thought something wasn't right -- and after they both checked Nintendo's website, they went to the stock room, searched for it, handed me a copy, and put the other three on the shelves.

So, it might take a bit of talking here and there. Your mileage may vary.

[RelentlessRolento]

Went to a local Best Buy, and they had 4 in stock, though the associate helping me kept saying that they had to stick to their Jan 29 release date or risk getting in deep trouble. Though, after I mentioned that everyone else had the date as January 22 and asked if by chance a manager would okay it -- he confirmed the Jan 22 date online, wondered why Best Buy's offices would put that date, checked with the Assistant Store Manager and he too thought something wasn't right -- and after they both checked Nintendo's website, they went to the stock room, searched for it, handed me a copy, and put the other three on the shelves.

So, it might take a bit of talking here and there. Your mileage may vary.


Further confirmation on why I still think BB has some weird policys at times with their sofware and games.

[Scorch]

Hastings? Check.
Wal-Mart? Check.
Toys-R-Us? Check.
EB? Check.
Gamestop? Check.
Best Buy? Check.
GameCrazy? Nope.

[ratzombie]

My Best Buy said it comes out on the 29th, and to expect it on Tuesday...

I really want to use a GGC on it, so I guess I'm stuck waiting.

[AK85]

My Walmart had 3 copies when I was there around 5:30.

I am getting ready to crack it open and give it a go.

[mtxbass1]

My Best Buy had about 12 of these sitting on the shelf today.

[Over easy]

After playing this a bit more, I realize I need a longer stylus. I never thought I would get annoyed by it, but it's getting too uncomfortable with such a short stylus.

[Ma12kez]

Just picked this up today at BB with a GGC. Can't wait to get started.

[PrTv]

I've just bought it (I'm glad that I traded in my Wario for it, because I started to get extremely bored with its mini-games).

I like this game way better than Trace Memory (maybe its theme that attracts me) and the way that we can jot down the note is extremely cool too (too bad it has only 3 pages to write). :cry:

About the voice acting, I don't think it's possible if the cartridge space is still 128M, but it may be possible if Nintendo expands its storage space to 256 or 512MB (or even more!).

P.s. Please don't mistake GB (Gigabyte) for Gb (Gigabit), since I heard many people said that the storage space of the DS's cartridge is 1Gigabyte, which is NOT ture.

The truth is that its storage space is 1Gigabit which is equal to 128Megabyte, period.

If you want the proof, the easiest way to prove it is finding any illegal website that provides the NDS rom, and take a look at the size of each game; you'll see that nothing is bigger than 128MB.

[Chibi_Kaji]

Ugh, I checked my local Game Crazy again. And they still haven't gotten the game in yet. I guess I'll give them another call tomorrow to see if they got it in yet. And if they still don't have it I'll cancel my pre-order and get it at EB or something...

[UncleBob]

I can confirm the awesomeness of this game. It's really cool - it screams for real voice acting though.... maybe next time...

I haven't played too much of this one yet, but from what I have played (and after going through Trace Memory more than a few times), I'd have to say "NO!"... These games are meant to be played like a book - a good mystery novel or such. I, personally, feel voice acting would remove this aspect from them.

I dunno if this would be too much of a good thing or not, but I'd almost *love* for Cinq to make a basic engine for this type of game and get some big-name authors (King, Clancy, etc...) together (not that the Cinq stories are bad, but the name recognition would be great for sales) and make these types of games a monthly (or bi-monthly) thing, although perhaps at a $20 price tag.

If you think non-gamers flock to the DS for Brain Age, wait until the newest Dean Koontz thriller is "Only For Nintendo DS"...

[asianxcore]

as Scorch mentioned, add TRU to the list of stores that are carrying this game.

Picked up mine from TRU tonight. Looks like all TRU's should've got them today, with a maximum of 8 copies shipped.

[io]

Don't know if this got posted yet (it's not within the last few pages).

IGN review, 7.9/10:

http://ds.ign.com/articles/758/758329p1.html

Biggest complaints: Lots o' bookreading and slow pace.

I'm not sure how I'm going to get this one. It appears the two places I preordered it at are not going to get it (GR and GC). I guess I could pick it up at Target and with their 90 day return policy worry about where to get it cheaper later ;).

[Nelo Ice]

i just saw 6 copies of this at my best buy in the area where they keep them behind a locked case

[Owen]

i just saw 6 copies of this at my best buy in the area where they keep them behind a locked case

I wish my Best Buy was still open this late in the evening.

[Nelo Ice]

I wish my Best Buy was still open this late in the evening.

no i meant earlier tonight at like 7-8 ;)

[Blind the Thief]

I was in a good mood coming home today, only to find an email from Amazon telling me they'd shipped it out (which was great, since their email yesterday said the 29th). I can't wait.


I wonder if an upgrade to Wii for a sequel would be cool or not (what with the possibility of voice acting and the potin-and-click gameplay potentially being awesome with the Remote). I guess I'll come back and answer this question once I get the game in my hands.

[ViolentLee]

Played this for review. I'm kind of torn. It's got all the adventure-game requirements, but the dialog drags on far too long, and the actual adventure stuff seems a little too hand-holding. I like the puzzles, though, and the notebook you actually write stuff in. I haven't played Trace Memory to compare the two.

[Javery]

I haven't played too much of this one yet, but from what I have played (and after going through Trace Memory more than a few times), I'd have to say "NO!"... These games are meant to be played like a book - a good mystery novel or such. I, personally, feel voice acting would remove this aspect from them.

I dunno if this would be too much of a good thing or not, but I'd almost *love* for Cinq to make a basic engine for this type of game and get some big-name authors (King, Clancy, etc...) together (not that the Cinq stories are bad, but the name recognition would be great for sales) and make these types of games a monthly (or bi-monthly) thing, although perhaps at a $20 price tag.

If you think non-gamers flock to the DS for Brain Age, wait until the newest Dean Koontz thriller is "Only For Nintendo DS"...

That's an awesome idea! Imagine "legitimate" authors releasing $10 games/chapters that take 2-3 hours to play through and make up a whole story... :drool:

Also, about the voice thing - I think it would add a lot if it was done right. Not having to read would remove the slower pace and add even more personality. Video games are interactive - unlike books - and I think a ton of reading drags down any game. That's just me though...

Oh yeah - clicking the shoulder button where your thumb rests behind the system will advance the text instead of having to hit the touch screen with the stylus all the time.

[Strell]

Ahhh. UB had said over at PGC/NWR that he'd posted something about authors writing games here, but I didn't see that it was in this thread. So here's my response to it:


Stephen King sucks.

Get real horror writers for the material. I'm talking Lovecraft and Poe. Shirley Jackson alone would be incredible. THAT is the kind of stuff I'd buy in a second.

And if you want weird postmodern contemporary stuff, get Murakami to pen some scripts. He's weird as hell, but quite delicious in his bizarre stuff. Neil Gaiman would be great as well. Danielewski might work as well.

Or how about something more comedic? Terry Pratchett, maybe a little Douglass Adams.


He did point out that he meant living authors. That still leaves Murakami at least. And being Japanese, he might be down for DS stuff.

[Apossum]

Paul Auster's stories would work great...City of Glass anyone? Post-modern detective novels ftw

[PleasantOne]

Or how about something more comedic? Terry Pratchett, maybe a little Douglass Adams.

Strell, you are brill!!! Now I'll be dreaming about a Hitchhiker's game... sort of an upgrade to that old text based HGttG game... :drool:

I think I like your idea of authors like Poe and Adams better than I do the living authors... but then I don't read much contemporary fiction.

Tom Clancy would freakin rock, though... I might actually be able to get my husband to play DS then :lol:

[RelentlessRolento]

I'm having a hard time believing people don't like the text speed. The story is so compelling, along with he people, that I always ok forward to talking. I say the pacing is fine, if it went faster it wold ruin the mood for me.

[Snake2715]

Still havent got this game.. I will be on the hunt soon though.

[qpid]

Wow today was fate for me.

My wife found a Walmart Giftcard on the ground at her work and brought it home. I took it to Walmart and it had $15 on it and they had HD in stock!

$15 for the game is a good deal.

[menikmati]

Going to my local Best Buy(s) after work tonight to see if they have it in, I've got a GGC with $20 on it that's burning a hole in my wallet.

[mickeyp]

Best buy said they would not put it out till 1/29. I bought it at Toys rus with a gift card. Michel

[kell]

Best buy said they would not put it out till 1/29. I bought it at Toys rus with a gift card. Michel

Same experience. Said their "Street Date" is 1/29 and they can't sell it until then. Wasted trip.

[ratzombie]

I haven't played the game yet, so I wouldn't know whether voice acting would work for it or not.

But I think instead of it having full voice acting, something like small samples of voices would work.

[Roufuss]

Played this for review. I'm kind of torn. It's got all the adventure-game requirements, but the dialog drags on far too long, and the actual adventure stuff seems a little too hand-holding. I like the puzzles, though, and the notebook you actually write stuff in. I haven't played Trace Memory to compare the two.

Here's a review I'm going to trust that isn't biased... not people who hype up the game so much before release and then keep hyping it once it's out.

I might be giving this one a momentary pass and go for Phoenix Wright 2 instead when I get around to it.

As always, thanks for the impressions VL.

[JohnnyDrama]

I had ordered HD from Amazon, but I decided to check out a couple stores today to see if any copies were in-stock. Best Buy didn't have any, so next stop was Target, and as I walked to the DS section and looked at the glass case I saw it. I say at least 4-5 copies are left when I got mine, most likely more but I couldn't tell. Needless to say I picked up a copy and cancelled my Amazon order, can't wait to play it.

[ViolentLee]

I'm having a hard time believing people don't like the text speed. The story is so compelling, along with he people, that I always ok forward to talking. I say the pacing is fine, if it went faster it wold ruin the mood for me.
It's not the speed so much as how inane a lot of the chatter is. Too much "Ya don't say..." and repeating what the other person said. As I mention in my review (for X-Play, so it won't be available for some time), they could've chopped the script in half and nobody would've missed it.

Here's a review I'm going to trust that isn't biased... not people who hype up the game so much before release and then keep hyping it once it's out.

I might be giving this one a momentary pass and go for Phoenix Wright 2 instead when I get around to it.

As always, thanks for the impressions VL.
I appreciate your trust, Roufuss. I try to call it as I play it.

[hootie]

What the hell!!!

My EB order hasn't shipped yet!

[UncleBob]

That's an awesome idea! Imagine "legitimate" authors releasing $10 games/chapters that take 2-3 hours to play through and make up a whole story... :drool:

I'm not sure what to make of this... I meant that each author would get their own "Book", unrelated to any of the others released in this "series"... so you wouldn't have to buy more than one to get the entire story...

And it's not that I have anything against dead authors and such... It's just that it'd be kinda hard for them to write a new story just for the DS... ;)

[daroga]

Well, I just got done with chapter 1, but at this point the game is not pulling me in in the least. Obviosuly, we're just barely scratching the surface here, but the pace is just plodding. Maybe Phoenix Wright spoiled me, the pacing of the dialouge is fantastic in that game.

I guess maybe there's a reason that what I say in a given day doesn't make it into a video game. It'd be boring and dull.

Those who are farther, who might have shared my thoughts in chapter 1, does it get better?

[io]

Well, blow me down and call me Stacy...

Gamecrazy JUST CALLED ME to let me know my Hotel Dusk preorder has arrived. This is the preorder I put in just last Sunday. Whoo-hooo. Unfortunately my wife just came back from that area, so I guess I'll have to make a trip back up there this evening - don't want anyone else to grab that before I get a chance. I'm feeling lucky - maybe I should check to see if GR got it in?

[Santurio]

All Best Buy's should have this game already and should be selling it. I walked in to one at lunch and they guy looked it up and said they had it but couldn't sell it until the 29th so I nudged a little. He was going to call over his manager but decided to look up their inter-store promo or update page and they have an update from the 25th boldly telling them to sell the game now. So, I gots me one.

[RelentlessRolento]

Well, I just got done with chapter 1, but at this point the game is not pulling me in in the least. Obviosuly, we're just barely scratching the surface here, but the pace is just plodding. Maybe Phoenix Wright spoiled me, the pacing of the dialouge is fantastic in that game.

I guess maybe there's a reason that what I say in a given day doesn't make it into a video game. It'd be boring and dull.

Those who are farther, who might have shared my thoughts in chapter 1, does it get better?


yeah, once you know who every guest is in the house,, the story starts getting a bit crazy.

Personally, PW is a fast paced mystery like a TV show while HD is more like a novel and slow based with more real life language and personality. Both are good, but I like the slow approach to things in HD as it relaxes me and lets my mind go not worrying about much.

[io]

So, for someone, like say a certain CAG's wife, who has NO interest in video games but likes to read mystery novels and such, does anyone see the potential in having this be a "starter" game? I'm thinking the slow pacing might be an advantage there as she definitely isn't into typical frenetic video game action.

I've been trying to get her to play several DS games but she's shown no interest in the typical "starter" games like Nintendogs or Brain Age. I thought Phoenix Wright might get her interested (in that in addition to the mystery novels she likes court TV-like stuff - whereas I detest that stuff), but no dice (of course, I haven't played it either).

I finally played Feel The Magic the other day - fun game, glad I decided to pick up Rub Rabbits for $10 at TRU! But that won't work for her either. Maybe Sprung? :lol:

[FSUddin]

maybe she just doesnt like video games? I've tried getting my wife to play the wii too, but she just doesn't seem in to it.

FSUddin

[hootie]

Wow, my order from ebgames.com FINALLY SHIPPED!

Now I just have to wait 5-10 god damn more days...

[io]

maybe she just doesnt like video games?
Well, that was my point ;).

What I'm hoping, and this dovetails with Nintendo's strategy as well, is that games like this, which are different than the typical video game experience, will draw her in, at least a little. If it plays like reading a book, I might just be able to get her into it. In fact, I'm going to make a special trip out tonight to pick it up and try to get her started on it tonight.

[RelentlessRolento]

So, for someone, like say a certain CAG's wife, who has NO interest in video games but likes to read mystery novels and such, does anyone see the potential in having this be a "starter" game? I'm thinking the slow pacing might be an advantage there as she definitely isn't into typical frenetic video game action.

I've been trying to get her to play several DS games but she's shown no interest in the typical "starter" games like Nintendogs or Brain Age. I thought Phoenix Wright might get her interested (in that in addition to the mystery novels she likes court TV-like stuff - whereas I detest that stuff), but no dice (of course, I haven't played it either).

I finally played Feel The Magic the other day - fun game, glad I decided to pick up Rub Rabbits for $10 at TRU! But that won't work for her either. Maybe Sprung? :lol:


I know this may sound really odd and bad, but I've seen tons of older women on the morning train rail I take play either Urbz or Princess Peach on their DS... I'm always surprised.

HD may be a bit slow and I only reccomend it if she likes murder mystery since most of the focus is on finding someone with storys of people dying.

[io]

I know this may sound really odd and bad, but I've seen tons of older women on the morning train rail I take play either Urbz or Princess Peach on their DS... I'm always surprised.

HD may be a bit slow and I only reccomend it if she likes murder mystery since most of the focus is on finding someone with storys of people dying.

I think she's into that sort of thing. I know she would not like Princess Peach or the Urbz though. The only "in" is this type of book-like adventure game, I think. This might just be perfect. I've already warned her that she WILL, in fact, be playing this game (at least trying it out at first). We'll see where it goes from there ;).

[ratzombie]

Finally got my copy today, I was looking around the DS section until I was asked by a Best Buy employee if I was looking for anything in particular, told him the name and he came out with a stack of them from the back.

Can't wait to start getting into it.

[shanyn]

I think she's into that sort of thing. I know she would not like Princess Peach or the Urbz though. The only "in" is this type of book-like adventure game, I think. This might just be perfect. I've already warned her that she WILL, in fact, be playing this game (at least trying it out at first). We'll see where it goes from there ;).

I was all set to give you some advice [since I'm a girl gamer, too], but I noticed you said she doesn't like Brain Age, which was in my recommendations...

The games I have for my DS are Big Brain Academy, Cooking Mama, Elite Beat Agents, and Phoenix Wright 2. I want to get WarioWare and Trauma Center for my DS [they are kind of hard to find around here?]... I tend to think my list of games for my DS [and Gamecube, and other things] is quite girly but I am betting she's just not a video game type of girl.

Quite sad. Would be fun if you could get her into Halo!

[io]

I was all set to give you some advice [since I'm a girl gamer, too], but I noticed you said she doesn't like Brain Age, which was in my recommendations...

The games I have for my DS are Big Brain Academy, Cooking Mama, Elite Beat Agents, and Phoenix Wright 2. I want to get WarioWare and Trauma Center for my DS [they are kind of hard to find around here?]... I tend to think my list of games for my DS [and Gamecube, and other things] is quite girly but I am betting she's just not a video game type of girl.

Quite sad. Would be fun if you could get her into Halo!

Yeah, she's not, unfortunately. That's OK though because our kids (including my 9 year-old daughter) are into games - it's why I got back into console gaming at all actually. I got them a GC a few years ago for Christmas. Now, in addition to that and the DS, obviously, we have a PS2 and a Wii and probably soon a 360. However, even I am not into Halo, so someone would have to get me into that before I could convinve anyone else. I will probably be buying a 360 soon - none of the Halos will be included in any purchases I make for it (well, if I stumble on a Halo Triple Pack for $12 at Kmart maybe I'll keep it).

I do plan on picking up Cooking Mama. If I can get her to play (and enjoy) Hotel Dusk (which I have in my hands now but got home too late with for her to play) then maybe I'll move her up to something more action-y like Cooking Mama. Then we can go from there ;).

I have actually seen her play Mario Kart DD because the boys made her play. That was a hoot...

[Chibi_Kaji]

Game Crazy finally got my copy of HD in yesterday. I'm about 2-3 chapters in right now. My only only problem with the game right now is that there is no list of objectives. But I guess that is what the memo pad is for...

[RelentlessRolento]

This is a pretty good overview...

http://gamevideos.com/video/id/8760

I'm realizing the reason why people do or do not liek the game is weather you realize what charm is there or not. People say that alot of the speach and pacing is meaningless, when I feel the fluff talk adds moer to the realism of personality between the characters.

[Ikohn4ever]

well I just beat the game. From what i read there are like 3-4 endings all depending. Also something happens in Chapter 4 that you cant go back to, it doesnt effect the story line, that I know of, but I will post it for those who wouldnt want to miss it.

During Chapter 4, when Angel is by the front desk complaining to Dunning, is the time to get the change for the vending machine for later in the game. After this i dont believe you can get coins for the machine.

[spiwak]

How many hours did it take?

[Ikohn4ever]

How many hours did it take?


i dunno if theres a specific timer, but at least 20 hrs

[mkg12]

When you click to load a save file it will tell you the elapsed time of that file. damn, 20 hours is pretty long.

[SpikeSpiegel]

I hope Bestbuy has this when I go to pick up Vegas later tonight.

[hootie]

wtf, i want my damn eb order to get here :-(

[Ikohn4ever]

When you click to load a save file it will tell you the elapsed time of that file. damn, 20 hours is pretty long.


19hrs 40 minutes

[hootie]

Nice, at least I'll be in for a long, enjoyable game once I get it :D

[JohnnyDrama]

i dunno if theres a specific timer, but at least 20 hrs
Nice to know the game is pretty long, I'm about 6 hours in, about to start Chapter 5.

[Robobandit]

Keep in mind, the clock keeps running even when the DS is in sleep mode, so the time it gives you might be a bit off.

[Ikohn4ever]

Keep in mind, the clock keeps running even when the DS is in sleep mode, so the time it gives you might be a bit off.


ah than maybe closer to 19hrs than 20

[RelentlessRolento]

This is a pretty good overview...

http://gamevideos.com/video/id/8760

I'm realizing the reason why people do or do not liek the game is weather you realize what charm is there or not. People say that alot of the speach and pacing is meaningless, when I feel the fluff talk adds moer to the realism of personality between the characters.


and to quote myself :) this game deserves nothing less than a 9.0. I'm still pissed reviewers forget to rate games for what they are, not what people want them to be.

[ratzombie]

Nice to know the game is pretty long, I'm about 6 hours in, about to start Chapter 5.
Wow, I must play very slowly. I'm about 4 hours in, and I just started Chapter 3.

Edit: Oh, and I think the pacing of the game is fine. I sometimes think the conversations with some of the people are too short!

[Chacrana]

If anyone's still on the fence, try watching the most recent 1UP show... the clips they showed completely sold me on the game (well, maybe I was already kinda sold) and I have no doubts that this is definitely the kind of game I've been looking for.

[RelentlessRolento]

If anyone's still on the fence, try watching the most recent 1UP show... the clips they showed completely sold me on the game (well, maybe I was already kinda sold) and I have no doubts that this is definitely the kind of game I've been looking for.


I already posted it... srry

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2612720&postcount=320

...but to sum up the video:

The two people in EGM that gave it 8s really have no defense on why they gaev the game those scores. And the reasons they do give are so horrible that you can apply them to any review someone does... sad...

[io]

So, I take it you like the game Rolento? :lol:

I'm getting my wife to play it tomorrow for sure. We'll see how that goes. I'll play it after she does. I'm playing Magical Starsign right now which I must say was underrated as well. I got rid of my original copy because of the reviews and only picked it up because I had a Buy 1 Get 1 free used portable game coupon at GC and needed something to go with WarioWare Touched (which goes to my son for his birthday).

[RelentlessRolento]

So, I take it you like the game Rolento? :lol:




:lol: that's an understatement ;)

Man... just when I thought it couldn't get better, the story just keeps getting more intriguing... I'll have to say I am very impressed that CING pulled this off seeing as how much I hated Trace Memory... I think they finally figured out the right way to do a mystery title.

[tiredfornow]

I think they finally figured out the right way to do a mystery title.

seconded!:bouncy::bouncy::bouncy: 8 hours in, weeee?

[DJPUN]

the game is different, but I like :D

[RelentlessRolento]

Wow... hit 9pm in the game and still love it.

[spiwak]

20 hours? Nice!

And with a few different endings I think this game should have a lot of value.

[alongx]

The two people in EGM that gave it 8s really have no defense on why they gaev the game those scores. And the reasons they do give are so horrible that you can apply them to any review someone does... sad...

I read the EGM reviews, the complaints were that the story is illogical at times and the pace is glacial. For a game that's pretty much a slightly interactive book, I'd say those are two of the only criticisms that you can leverage against it. Not all games deserve a perfect score, and, from every other review I've read, this game is good, but not necessarily a "must buy".

[RelentlessRolento]

I read the EGM reviews, the complaints were that the story is illogical at times and the pace is glacial. For a game that's pretty much a slightly interactive book, I'd say those are two of the only criticisms that you can leverage against it. Not all games deserve a perfect score, and, from every other review I've read, this game is good, but not necessarily a "must buy".


the odd thing I'm finding though that makes no sense at all is that reviewers are giving it 8.0s and similar scores while ending their reviews by saying "if you own a DS you must play this"...???????????????????

I say this game is not an interactive book at all.. it comes across as that, but it feels more like a conversation based mystery. If it were a novel, there'd be alot more of Kyle describing everything he does (ie, like when Kyle goes eating or hits the bar), but about 90% of the game is dialogue... so no... not a novel but a personality interaction...?

[ViolentLee]

I read the EGM reviews, the complaints were that the story is illogical at times and the pace is glacial. For a game that's pretty much a slightly interactive book, I'd say those are two of the only criticisms that you can leverage against it. Not all games deserve a perfect score, and, from every other review I've read, this game is good, but not necessarily a "must buy".
Keep in mind that games don't start getting a 10; they usually start getting a 6 (or whatever average score is), and work their way up or down. Thus, just because they didn't have as many complaints (though the glacial pace is indeed a justifiable complaint) doesn't mean they too should've given it a 10. I personally think the 8s were even a little high.

[RelentlessRolento]

Keep in mind that games don't start getting a 10; they usually start getting a 6 (or whatever average score is), and work their way up or down. Thus, just because they didn't have as many complaints (though the glacial pace is indeed a justifiable complaint) doesn't mean they too should've given it a 10. I personally think the 8s were even a little high.


My question still remains: do people think majority of game reviews rate games for what they are, or what the reviewers want the game to be?

This is one of the few games that people would consider it a "Love it or hate it" type of game at first glance, when in reality I think that's hardly the case. For what the game is trying to be/is, it's awesome. For what people are thinking it should be or what genre it should stick to, it's not superb, but good.

[ViolentLee]

My question still remains: do people think majority of game reviews rate games for what they are, or what the reviewers want the game to be?

This is one of the few games that people would consider it a "Love it or hate it" type of game at first glance, when in reality I think that's hardly the case. For what the game is trying to be/is, it's awesome. For what people are thinking it should be or what genre it should stick to, it's not superb, but good.

We reviewers try to do both in a way that doesn't betray either one. You have to look at how you feel about the game personally, then consider the type of people who make up the prime audience. Adventure games have a totally different audience from FPSs, for example -- however, you have to write the review for everyone. That's why it's tough to just base a review on the score it gives.

Again, I'll say the redundant dialog is not only boring to non-adventure enthusiasts, but is just bad all-around. I also think a lot of the what-to-do-next aspects are too obvious and hinted at for adventure gamers, though a more mainstream audience will appreciate it. Reviews are often not as cut-and-dry as "this is good" or "this is bad" because it sometimes depends on the user.

[Rei no Otaku]

My question still remains: do people think majority of game reviews rate games for what they are, or what the reviewers want the game to be?

This is one of the few games that people would consider it a "Love it or hate it" type of game at first glance, when in reality I think that's hardly the case. For what the game is trying to be/is, it's awesome. For what people are thinking it should be or what genre it should stick to, it's not superb, but good.
That's a very good point, and one more reviewers need to ask themselves.

Tycho brings up some good points as well about video game reviews in his news update today: http://www.penny-arcade.com/

These things are really the main reason I don't trust ANY source but myself when it comes to deciding what to buy and what not to buy.

[Reality's Fringe]

got it in the mail from Cduniverse. I'll play it....well, when I finish Justice for All. That could be a while :cry:

[hootie]

...still haven't received my game from EB yet...

Usually they are 10x quicker than this.

[RelentlessRolento]

Hmm, Nice twist with the connection with Alan and the two people... looking forward to more... I just got past Helen the magician's story.

also, do you unlock anything for playing the match games and winning?

[Scobie]

Just picked up Hotel Dusk at BB tonight.. hated the wait for the bull-honk "launch date" of the 29th, but rockin' a GGC on a DS title is hard to turn down.

It would appear that this game is going to be a real sleeper hit for Nintendo. I got the last copy from BB and other stores that released last week sold out pretty quickly.

[ratzombie]

Just picked up Hotel Dusk at BB tonight.. hated the wait for the bull-honk "launch date" of the 29th, but rockin' a GGC on a DS title is hard to turn down.

It would appear that this game is going to be a real sleeper hit for Nintendo. I got the last copy from BB and other stores that released last week sold out pretty quickly.

A good choice, my friend! You'll enjoy it!

[RelentlessRolento]

I don't want this game to end. It's been such a great experience that has really revitalized my gaming life right when I was getting depressed about the current state of the industry.

[furyk]

That's a very good point, and one more reviewers need to ask themselves.

Tycho brings up some good points as well about video game reviews in his news update today: http://www.penny-arcade.com/

These things are really the main reason I don't trust ANY source but myself when it comes to deciding what to buy and what not to buy.

So essentially...

Tycho: Review scores are a necessary evil.

Entire Gaming Public: No shit, really?

I've been a proponent of the industry going to a no score system for years now, but the simple fact of the matter is that an EGM, Gamepro, Game Informer, etc won't do that not because of the readers but because of themselves. If that ended up happening we'd see the death of the one paragraph review that populate the print medium today. The simple fact of the matter is that every gaming journalist loves scores simply because it makes writing easier as it gives them a goal to work towards with their writing while also giving them an easy out when their review sucks. If the score is unexpected the writing needs to be better, but ultimately, if the score is expected, the writing can be shit. That's how gaming journalism works today folks.

[CheapyD]

So essentially...

Tycho: Review scores are a necessary evil.

Entire Gaming Public: No shit, really?

I've been a proponent of the industry going to a no score system for years now, but the simple fact of the matter is that an EGM, Gamepro, Game Informer, etc won't do that not because of the readers but because of themselves. If that ended up happening we'd see the death of the one paragraph review that populate the print medium today. The simple fact of the matter is that every gaming journalist loves scores simply because it makes writing easier as it gives them a goal to work towards with their writing while also giving them an easy out when their review sucks. If the score is unexpected the writing needs to be better, but ultimately, if the score is expected, the writing can be shit. That's how gaming journalism works today folks. Sounds like a recent episode of the CAGcast... ;)

[RelentlessRolento]

So essentially...

Tycho: Review scores are a necessary evil.

Entire Gaming Public: No shit, really?

I've been a proponent of the industry going to a no score system for years now, but the simple fact of the matter is that an EGM, Gamepro, Game Informer, etc won't do that not because of the readers but because of themselves. If that ended up happening we'd see the death of the one paragraph review that populate the print medium today. The simple fact of the matter is that every gaming journalist loves scores simply because it makes writing easier as it gives them a goal to work towards with their writing while also giving them an easy out when their review sucks. If the score is unexpected the writing needs to be better, but ultimately, if the score is expected, the writing can be shit. That's how gaming journalism works today folks.

Well put... scores the bane to some people, while others seem to not care. If I love a title to death (ie. HD) I'll be critical, but if I enjoy a game alot that still won't change my view after reading a score... I just read from now on and make myself forget to read the score it gets.

[horrido]

This game is boring. I am two hours into it, and there is virtually NO game play. Seriously, this is not a game, it is a book. If I wanted to read a book, not only would I pick up a real one, I wouldnt read this genre.

Granted its somewhat original as far as DS games go, but as far as adventure games - it is sub par. Good story - I'll give you the benifit of the doubt, but in two hours I've solved ZERO puzzles. I pick virtually every dialog choice available, and don't seem to effect the story at all. What gives?

Please tell me it gets better, because I just don't see where this game even rates an eight.

[RelentlessRolento]

This game is boring. I am two hours into it, and there is virtually NO game play. Seriously, this is not a game, it is a book. If I wanted to read a book, not only would I pick up a real one, I wouldnt read this genre.

Granted its somewhat original as far as DS games go, but as far as adventure games - it is sub par. Good story - I'll give you the benifit of the doubt, but in two hours I've solved ZERO puzzles. I pick virtually every dialog choice available, and don't seem to effect the story at all. What gives?

Please tell me it gets better, because I just don't see where this game even rates an eight.


since when does a mystery noir detective adventure game not have heavy dialogue/text?

Like I was saying, if you want it to be something, you already won't like it as much. But if you take it for what it is, there's alot to love.

[Vegan]

This game is boring. I am two hours into it, and there is virtually NO game play. Seriously, this is not a game, it is a book. If I wanted to read a book, not only would I pick up a real one, I wouldnt read this genre.


Someone obviously didn't see the half-page USA Today ad that bills it as "The first interactive novel for the Nintendo DS."

[judyjudyjudy]

Finally got this tonight at the Best Buy in Mountain View. Every other store in the area didn't have any stock listed online, and I had checked one of the empty stores over the weekend. I momentarily freaked out when I didn't see any in the shelves, but I was pleasantly surprised when the sales guy knew immediately what I was asking about and went to grab one for me from the back of store. Got it with GGC and gift card credit... whee.

I look forward to checking it out tonight. Assuming it's not disturbing or scary enough to give me nightmares, it seems like a good in-bed-before-sleep game.

[ratzombie]

This game is boring. I am two hours into it, and there is virtually NO game play. Seriously, this is not a game, it is a book. If I wanted to read a book, not only would I pick up a real one, I wouldnt read this genre.

Granted its somewhat original as far as DS games go, but as far as adventure games - it is sub par. Good story - I'll give you the benifit of the doubt, but in two hours I've solved ZERO puzzles. I pick virtually every dialog choice available, and don't seem to effect the story at all. What gives?

Please tell me it gets better, because I just don't see where this game even rates an eight.
You should, at least get some idea of a game before you buy it. A little bit of research, and you would of known that this game is heavy in dialog and isn't your typical game.

Yes, it's not the best adventure game ever made. But it's a damn good one. And I'm curious as to which games Hotel Dusk is sub par to?

[Javery]

I might be stuck. I entered my room, found the paperclip and tried opening the suitcase (unsuccessfully). I can't remove the hangar from the wall for a thicker wire (if that's where I'm supposed to get it from). I've been wandering around the hotel for a while and I can't go into any rooms or seem to do anything else. I've talked to the guy at the front desk, I found the girl on the stairs and helped her with her puzzle. I talked to her dad too (he had nothing really to say before closing the door to his room). What am I missing?

[daroga]

I might be stuck. I entered my room, found the paperclip and tried opening the suitcase (unsuccessfully). I can't remove the hangar from the wall for a thicker wire (if that's where I'm supposed to get it from). I've been wandering around the hotel for a while and I can't go into any rooms or seem to do anything else. I've talked to the guy at the front desk, I found the girl on the stairs and helped her with her puzzle. I talked to her dad too (he had nothing really to say before closing the door to his room). What am I missing?What time is it in-game?

[Javery]

What time is it in-game?

5:00 p.m. - pretty much right after arriving at the hotel even though I've logged about 2 hours of real time play...

[daroga]

Have you been to the lobby again to meet Mila?

[Javery]

Have you been to the lobby again to meet Mila?

Is she the old lady? I think I figured it out... or at least I progressed the story a little. I went back to my room again and Louie delivered the package to me (the old file). I just finished talking to him and I think I need to go to the front desk again and tell him about the mix-up. It's weird because I had been in and out of my room a bunch of times - I'm not sure what triggered the visit by Louie. It's 5:10 now.

[King]

You open the suitcase in chapter 2.

[daroga]

Is she the old lady? I think I figured it out... or at least I progressed the story a little. I went back to my room again and Louie delivered the package to me (the old file). I just finished talking to him and I think I need to go to the front desk again and tell him about the mix-up. It's weird because I had been in and out of my room a bunch of times - I'm not sure what triggered the visit by Louie. It's 5:10 now.Good deal. Keep pushing through. The opening of the game is painfully slow. Things get interesting at the end of Chapter 2. But that's where I had to stop the last time I played.

[ratzombie]

When you're able to go into the Linen / Utility rooms, then you'll be able to open up the suitcase by cutting the wire hanger using pliers.

[amicus]

When you're able to go into the Linen / Utility rooms, then you'll be able to open up the suitcase by cutting the wire hanger using pliers.

i think u can enter the linen room after u talk to the maid on the 2nd floor. as you pass the stairs you here a whistle

[Blind the Thief]

javeryh - I was stuck in the exact same spot. Basically, you have to make absolutely sure you ask every available question when you run into someone to talk to...I'd forgotten to ask someone one question, and wandered around for 20 minutes until I randoly talked to them again and cleared it all up.

[ArthurDigbySellers]

javeryh - I was stuck in the exact same spot. Basically, you have to make absolutely sure you ask every available question when you run into someone to talk to...I'd forgotten to ask someone one question, and wandered around for 20 minutes until I randoly talked to them again and cleared it all up.

Right, basically don't leave any yellow questions unanswered when you are talking to people.

[Javery]

javeryh - I was stuck in the exact same spot. Basically, you have to make absolutely sure you ask every available question when you run into someone to talk to...I'd forgotten to ask someone one question, and wandered around for 20 minutes until I randoly talked to them again and cleared it all up.

Cool thanks for the tip. I had a couple of unanswered questions from the hotel clerk so that's what must have advanced the story for me. Are there important parts of the story you could miss if you ask the wrong question when presented with a choice?

[RelentlessRolento]

Hands down Louie, Kyle, and Dunning have officially become badasses in my book..

[ratzombie]

I'm getting close to the last chapter, so I decided to look up when the vending machine comes into play.

Looks like I missed out on getting the coins in Chapter 4, and so I wasn't able to get the Pinkie Rabbit. Damnit.

[Bazz]

I been playing Hotel Dusk a lot as of lately , the game is very well done and shows why the Nintendo Ds continues to take over the portable world. From the first time you turn on your Ds and put Hotel Dusk in you’ll notice the beautiful art direction they took this game with its unique design style, the way everything is drawn and scenery is so nice you really feel like your taken back to the year 1979 when everything in this game is taking place. You’ll play as an ex cop name Kyle Hyde who is trying to track down his ex partner named Bradley who got shot and was no where to be found after that and your basically looking to answers to what ever happened to him after that night which leads you to Hotel Dusk.

Hotel Dusk takes great advantage of the DS with its beautifully done 3D Hotel in one way it feels like you’re playing Resident evil at times how when you’ll be searching for items and opening doors you can’t feel like this has a slight Resident Evil feel to it, yet of course you won’t be surprised attacked by zombies. The way you walk around with either the D-pad or Touch Screen is done perfectly. You hold the Ds like a book so when you do walk around you’ll have a map on the right side (Touch Screen) and on the Left is the whole virtual world which you’ll be able to see through a First Person view which is very nice to see with the beautifully rendered graphics.

The game doesn’t stop at its well crafted art and game design it also has a very well written story almost as if you were reading an interactive novel. It catches a sense of mystery and a slight feel of a creepy horror aspect to it at times, with great writing for all the characters you’ll encounter. Each one is interesting and has their own secrets that you can’t wait to read and uncover the truth behind hind everyone and find out what has happened 6 months ago at Hotel Dusk and find out new things from each of the guest currently staying at the hotel.

Now as your progress through the game the Puzzle are also quite interesting and make you think a lot at times which is always good makes you feel smart when you complete something. Although I must say the game is hard at times were you’re just like how on earth would I know to do that and go there. This is when you'll go to yourself, thank you Gamefaqs.com for helping me on that.

Overall I think this is a great new game for the Ds and suggest anyone to give it a try if you’re looking for a new thriller, adventure game which is kind of in a category of its own to just relax with and enjoy the story you’ll uncover with Hotel Dusk.

Sorry for such a long preview/Short Review of the game from me, but I have a lot to say about this game and it really is hard to get my point about the game without trying it. So what I’m really trying to say is pick up and give this game a try.

[hootie]

I got the game!!!!! WOOOOO!


*runs away and starts playing*

[hootie]

Awesome, I just finished Chapter 1, I'm taking a break, 1 hour and 48 minutes lol.

Can't wait to get into the heart of the game :)

[Snake2715]

Awesome, I just finished Chapter 1, I'm taking a break, 1 hour and 48 minutes lol.

Can't wait to get into the heart of the game :)

Cant wait until i pick this game up....

A couple more games to finish and Castlevania POR not even opened yet....

[Vegan]

I've played about an hour.

1. Ha! The kid's afraid of mommy!

2. Give her a break.
Such temptation for douchebaggery.

[keithp]

I been playing Hotel Dusk a lot as of lately , the game is very well done and shows why the Nintendo Ds continues to take over the portable world. From the first time you turn on your Ds and put Hotel Dusk in you’ll notice the beautiful art direction they took this game with its unique design style, the way everything is drawn and scenery is so nice you really feel like your taken back to the year 1979 when everything in this game is taking place. You’ll play as an ex cop name Kyle Hyde who is trying to track down his ex partner named Bradley who got shot and was no where to be found after that and your basically looking to answers to what ever happened to him after that night which leads you to Hotel Dusk.

Hotel Dusk takes great advantage of the DS with its beautifully done 3D Hotel in one way it feels like you’re playing Resident evil at times how when you’ll be searching for items and opening doors you can’t feel like this has a slight Resident Evil feel to it, yet of course you won’t be surprised attacked by zombies. The way you walk around with either the D-pad or Touch Screen is done perfectly. You hold the Ds like a book so when you do walk around you’ll have a map on the right side (Touch Screen) and on the Left is the whole virtual world which you’ll be able to see through a First Person view which is very nice to see with the beautifully rendered graphics.

The game doesn’t stop at its well crafted art and game design it also has a very well written story almost as if you were reading an interactive novel. It catches a sense of mystery and a slight feel of a creepy horror aspect to it at times, with great writing for all the characters you’ll encounter. Each one is interesting and has their own secrets that you can’t wait to read and uncover the truth behind hind everyone and find out what has happened 6 months ago at Hotel Dusk and find out new things from each of the guest currently staying at the hotel.

Now as your progress through the game the Puzzle are also quite interesting and make you think a lot at times which is always good makes you feel smart when you complete something. Although I must say the game is hard at times were you’re just like how on earth would I know to do that and go there. This is when you'll go to yourself, thank you Gamefaqs.com for helping me on that.

Overall I think this is a great new game for the Ds and suggest anyone to give it a try if you’re looking for a new thriller, adventure game which is kind of in a category of its own to just relax with and enjoy the story you’ll uncover with Hotel Dusk.

Sorry for such a long preview/Short Review of the game from me, but I have a lot to say about this game and it really is hard to get my point about the game without trying it. So what I’m really trying to say is pick up and give this game a try.

Thanks for that review. Really makes me want to pick this up, but I've got a ton of other games to play right now.

What're the odds of a price drop down the road? Should I hold out or bite the bullet now?

[rebenns]

Looks excellent! Uses the same pen and ink animation that the trailer for MGS Portable Ops used. Is this a new trend?

[Vegan]

Anyone else who's playing this on an original DS: I didn't realize how HEAVY the DS Phat is until I tried holding it this way.

[Bazz]

Thanks for that review. Really makes me want to pick this up, but I've got a ton of other games to play right now.

What're the odds of a price drop down the road? Should I hold out or bite the bullet now? Well if you look in the Cag Deal Forums they have a deal to get it for 17.99. Which I think would be the cheapest you may get it for a long time.

[judyjudyjudy]

Anyone else who's playing this on an original DS: I didn't realize how HEAVY the DS Phat is until I tried holding it this way.Dude, I totally noticed this too. I play in bed, so my hand is usually supported by the bed or pillow, so it's not too bad for me. I dunno what it is about holding it this way that makes the weight more noticeable.

[Santurio]

Anyone else who's playing this on an original DS: I didn't realize how HEAVY the DS Phat is until I tried holding it this way.
same here. It really does make a huge difference on how long I play this game.

[hootie]

Pfft, who has a phat ds anymore? Those are so 2005 :booty:

[ratzombie]

I'm still using the original DS, I'm used to holding the DS that way because of Brain Age.

It would of been nice to have a DS Lite while I played this, though. They are still out of stock around here.

[APE992]

Pfft, who has a phat ds anymore? Those are so 2005 :booty:

When the great Phat vs Lite war comes your kind shall not be spared!

LONG LIVE PHAT!

[RelentlessRolento]

...plus since this game uses alot of white, the Lite screen brightness helps a ton on making it very vibrant.

[SpazX]

Just finished chapter 2. It's starting to get really interesting, great game.

[Vegan]

...plus since this game uses alot of white, the Lite screen brightness helps a ton on making it very vibrant.

I know, I know, I almost feel like it's a waste playing on a Phat. I'm getting a Lite in a month or two (assuming I can find one), so maybe I'll replay my "Douchebag Run" on a Lite.

[RelentlessRolento]

Still playing... between school and free time, I poke in every so often to play this... I know I'm near the end though..

[Dead of Knight]

Just got it in the mail! Wewt!

[maigoyume]

When the great Phat vs Lite war comes your kind shall not be spared!

LONG LIVE PHAT!here here, the ds phats will prevail :hot:

[ratzombie]

Still playing... between school and free time, I poke in every so often to play this... I know I'm near the end though..
Yeah, I'm on Chapter 9. I'll probably finish it tonight.

I believe the last chapter, is 10.

[RelentlessRolento]

anyone know what the (concerning vending machine) pink rabbit is used for? or even the candy?

[Kaijufan]

Pfft, who has a phat ds anymore? Those are so 2005 :booty:
I want a Lite since my Phat's battery is only lasting around 4 hours in Phoenix Wright, but no one has any. I could replace the battery, but that wouldn't result in ownership of a DS Lite. ;)

[ratzombie]

anyone know what the (concerning vending machine) pink rabbit is used for? or even the candy?

I believe you give Melissa the pink rabbit when she explains about not getting anything for Christmas.

[Blind the Thief]

Wait, how many chapters are there? I'm only on Chpater 4...crap, I thougt I'd be able to plow my way through the rest this weekend.

Ah well, I'm not really complaining. :)

[ratzombie]

Wait, how many chapters are there? I'm only on Chpater 4...crap, I thougt I'd be able to plow my way through the rest this weekend.

Ah well, I'm not really complaining. :)

There are 10 Chapters.

[Who's The Twitch Now?]

10 awesome chapters.

[redsox6391]

I have a question about how to progress in the game!!

I am at 6:20 PM in Chapter 3. I just dropped Helen off at the restaurant, and also got Melissa's rag doll. I don't know where to go next. I don't need a long explanation, I just need to know where to go next to trigger the rest of the story!

EDIT: I found out, thanks to GameFAQ's. I don't know how I would of found it on my own.

[amicus]

i was stuck at the same point. first part i had to look up.

I have a question about how to progress in the game!!

I am at 6:20 PM in Chapter 3. I just dropped Helen off at the restaurant, and also got Melissa's rag doll. I don't know where to go next. I don't need a long explanation, I just need to know where to go next to trigger the rest of the story!

EDIT: I found out, thanks to GameFAQ's. I don't know how I would of found it on my own.

[redsox6391]

Now I am stuck at another d*** puzzle. No pun intended.

I am in Melissa's room, I finished the puzzle, now I have to look at the back, and the puzzle is on the top screen. WTF am I supposed to do?? :drool:

EDIT: Holy hell, I figured it out on accident.

I shut the DS when I typed this post, and when I opened it again, the puzzle was apart. Possibly the most fucking clever puzzle I have ever seen in a video game. Hotel Dusk never ceases to amaze me.

[redsox6391]

The one thing I don't like about GOOD games in general:

You never, ever want them to end. They are so awesome that you want them to go on forever and ever.

And yes, I categorize Hotel Dusk as a good game. FANTASTIC game, actually. Probably one of the best I have ever played, next to Psychonauts (which happened to be in the same Amazon.com order as Hotel Dusk).

Hotel Dusk is so fantastically written, it's mind boggling. The puzzles are grade-A. I want a sequel so much, it hurts. (And I am only on chapter 3). Unfortunately, this amazing game probably won't be a big-seller, which is a terrible fact. Everyone needs to experience this masterpiece.

Otherwise, we won't be seeing a sequel, which is just too bad.

[rlse9]

I'm still waiting for my copy to arrive. I thought it'd show up in the mail today but it didn't, hoping for tomorrow.

I wouldn't be surprised to see this be similar to games Phoenix Wright and Lost In Blue with a relatively small release that'll sell out fairly quickly and then become hard to find. And both of those got sequels, so who knows.

[Kuros]

I just finished it got the Mila leaving with Kyle ending.

I'm gonna try the new game plus mode soon. You just start from a save after you beat the game the first time. Apparently there's an ending where Jenny shows up and I want to see it.

[amicus]

Now I am stuck at another d*** puzzle. No pun intended.

I am in Melissa's room, I finished the puzzle, now I have to look at the back, and the puzzle is on the top screen. WTF am I supposed to do?? :drool:

EDIT: Holy hell, I figured it out on accident.

I shut the DS when I typed this post, and when I opened it again, the puzzle was apart. Possibly the most fucking clever puzzle I have ever seen in a video game. Hotel Dusk never ceases to amaze me.

:applause: yeah that was a good one.

[Kuros]

:applause: yeah that was a good one.

I have to agree with that. It really was a great puzzle.

[botticus]

Gamasutra reports Hotel Dusk as the top selling DS game of last week in North America.

http://gonintendo.com/?p=12619

Surprisingly to say the least.

[RelentlessRolento]

Gamasutra reports Hotel Dusk as the top selling DS game of last week in North America.

http://gonintendo.com/?p=12619

Surprisingly to say the least.

nice, even japan has it at top. totally deserves it too.

[ratzombie]

Finished the game tonight, I kind of delayed it because I didn't want it to end.

So... when is Hotel Dusk 2 coming out? :D

[mkg12]

Gamasutra reports Hotel Dusk as the top selling DS game of last week in North America.

http://gonintendo.com/?p=12619

Surprisingly to say the least.
I saw that list too, but The Magic Box has a different list

http://www.the-magicbox.com/gaming.htm

[ratzombie]

I just finished it got the Mila leaving with Kyle ending.

I'm gonna try the new game plus mode soon. You just start from a save after you beat the game the first time. Apparently there's an ending where Jenny shows up and I want to see it.

I got that ending as well, I didn't know there were other endings to be had?

[naes]

I just got the game today. :D

[Kuros]

I got that ending as well, I didn't know there were other endings to be had?

Yea, there are multiple endings. Also, there is a new game+ mode where you can see some extras

[Blind the Thief]

Man, I just beat Chapter 5. Kyle Hyde rules, takin' down emo punks one hotel at a time.

[hootie]

Martin got owned so bad :rofl:

[redsox6391]

fuck I just missed the coins!!! I'm a retard...

[Blind the Thief]

Martin got owned so bad :rofl:

I edited my post, 'cuz I actually meant I had just finished Chapter 5, but you're right, Martin did get owned.

[judyjudyjudy]

I just beat the game with an elapsed time of 14:25. Now I can read all the damn spoiler tags in this thread. (Can't you guys mention at least the chapter your spoilers refer to?) I wish I had paid more attention to earlier posts, particularly Ikohn's post about chapter 4. But at least there's a reason for an extra playthrough with that new game+.

Great game... I certainly enjoyed it. I think I would give it around an 8 out of 10. The story was excellent, and I really liked how everything ties together, and nothing is really coincidence... tho at the beginning it seems that way. I was little disappointed with the gameplay, with the emphasis on dialogue over puzzles. Concerning the puzzles that were there, some seemed superficial particularly the ones that were literally puzzles (puzzle, matchsticks, coins), but I really enjoyed the more indepth ones. I wish I could have skipped dialogue faster, since a big chunk of "adventuring" in this game was dialogue choices. I didn't realize there were multiple endings or a new game+ mode. One thing that's awesome about this game it's actually got some replay value... which is hardly ever there for an adventure game. I definitely look forward to a sequel. I can seen how this is billed as an interactive novel. It'd be cool if, like books, the next game would have a different title.

Regarding to something you have to do in, I think, Chapter 8... did anyone have a hard time with bowling? It took me forever to beat Louie. Also, what's the deal with the stickers? Is that some secret I never figured out? I guess I need to go checkout GameFAQs.

[hootie]

I'm only starting Chapter 7, but I'm pretty sure the stickers are for the vending machine.

You have to find all 10 stickers, figure out the sum, and then enter it on the machine.

One of the stickers I found had a - on it though, so make sure you know basic math :P

[ratzombie]

Yeah, I missed getting the coins as well. You get a Pinkie Rabbit to give to Melissa, and I think some candy for whatever reason. Apparently, if you do the vending machine through a second playthrough you get some Lipstick to give to any of the girls in the game. I'm wondering which one they will give me, since I didn't get a chance to do it in the first playthrough.

Regarding Chapter 8: The bowling just plain sucks! It doesn't control right at all. I didn't even bother trying to beat Louie, I just tied the first game and then lost the next two. Do you get anything special for winning?

I'm going to start my second playthrough soon, I was actually lucky enough to find a DS Lite today. So now I'll be able to enjoy Hotel Dusk on a much better screen. The damn thing almost goes flat! It's perfect!

[judyjudyjudy]

I'm only starting Chapter 7, but I'm pretty sure the stickers are for the vending machine.

You have to find all 10 stickers, figure out the sum, and then enter it on the machine.

One of the stickers I found had a - on it though, so make sure you know basic math :PI just read one of the FAQs, and you're right. I guess I'll have to try that the next time I play.

[judyjudyjudy]

Regarding Chapter 8: The bowling just plain sucks! It doesn't control right at all. I didn't even bother trying to beat Louie, I just tied the first game and then lost the next two. Do you get anything special for winning?I didn't even realize you could get past that part without beating him. I thought it forces you to replay it until you win the first two games, and then Louie breaks the plant on the third game.

[Milkyman]

a tip for the bowling part.
if you have an extra stylus or anything you can use for the stylus, jjust put one stylus on the ball and touch the second stylus somewhere around the area of the pins, the ball should go in a straight line from one stylus to the other.

[daroga]

Just beat it. Wonderful game. Phoenix Wright, in the end, is more fun for me I think, but this was really well done. Far more novel than point-and-click game, but cool none-the-less.

[ratzombie]

I haven't played Phoenix Wright 2 yet, but I think I liked Hotel Dusk more than the first Phoenix Wright (Which is crazy!)

[RelentlessRolento]

I haven't played Phoenix Wright 2 yet, but I think I liked Hotel Dusk more than the first Phoenix Wright (Which is crazy!)

but for anyone who played HD already, it's totally understandable.

[-Never4ever-]

Almost down with PW2, can't wait to crack HD open afterwards.

BTW, how long would you say the game runs? For me, PW2 feels like it might approach the 20 hr mark (though I haven't quite kept track). How long would it take a normal person to beat using no guides (which would the equivilent of cheating in these types of games)?

[Javery]

I just finished Chapter 1! Wow that took a while... I play in 20 minute bursts on the crapper at work and it took about 2 weeks to finish the first chapter. I like the little recap/quiz at the end so I can remember everything that is going on - the story is really neat so far.

[judyjudyjudy]

Just beat it. Wonderful game. Phoenix Wright, in the end, is more fun for me I think, but this was really well done. Far more novel than point-and-click game, but cool none-the-less.I totally agree with you. Hotel Dusk is more polished, but I enjoyed Phoenix Wright more. I think all the dialogue choosing in HD and the humor in Phoenix Wright is what sways my opinion.

[redsox6391]

I just finished Chapter 1! Wow that took a while... I play in 20 minute bursts on the crapper at work and it took about 2 weeks to finish the first chapter. I like the little recap/quiz at the end so I can remember everything that is going on - the story is really neat so far.

Wow, your co-workers must think you have problems...

[hootie]

I finally beat the game yesterday, with about 15:00 clocked into it.


It was an amazing game, the ending still confuses me though, but I understand some of it :).

PW is definitely better than this, but I still give this game a 9.5/10, only because I wished they added a few more minigames

[RelentlessRolento]

An easier way to enjoy the game (and the way I play this game): insteda of tapping the screen to move the text along, use the R button... it's more natural due to the way you hold the DS with your thmub on R already and it's easier.

[redsox6391]

I rest my thumb on the D-Pad, so I use the "right" button ("up" when you have it flipped like a book) to scroll through text.

[ratzombie]

I rest my thumb on the D-Pad, so I use the "right" button ("up" when you have it flipped like a book) to scroll through text.
Yeah, same here. I hold my DS from the bottom, but instead of hitting up on the D-pad I hit down.

Also, it took me about 17 hours to complete the game (taking my time inspecting everything more than once, etc.) I think depending on how fast you play, Hotel Dusk is around 15 - 20 hours long. But there is an incentive to replay the game as the dialog is changed a little bit, and the locations of some things are moved around. You get a different ending so I've heard as well.

[redsox6391]

Yeah, same here. I hold my DS from the bottom, but instead of hitting up on the D-pad I hit down.

Also, it took me about 17 hours to complete the game (taking my time inspecting everything more than once, etc.) I think depending on how fast you play, Hotel Dusk is around 15 - 20 hours long. But there is an incentive to replay the game as the dialog is changed a little bit, and the locations of some things are moved around. You get a different ending so I've heard as well.

If that's true, that's so fucking awesome!

[Vegan]

They should make a sequel starring Martin Summer and his search for Alan with his sidekick, Pirate Granny, as he writes the Great American Novel!

Or not.

[Ikohn4ever]

Yeah, same here. I hold my DS from the bottom, but instead of hitting up on the D-pad I hit down.

Also, it took me about 17 hours to complete the game (taking my time inspecting everything more than once, etc.) I think depending on how fast you play, Hotel Dusk is around 15 - 20 hours long. But there is an incentive to replay the game as the dialog is changed a little bit, and the locations of some things are moved around. You get a different ending so I've heard as well.


well I know u get a lipstick instead of the rabbit from the vending machine

[Vegan]

One thing that I think is important to point out (because I think it may influence buying decisions) is the adventuring-to-conversation ratio. I was expecting a more traditional adventure game, with more puzzles and more interaction with my inventory, but the game is in fact mostly "encounter someone, talk to them, encounter next person, talk to them." The game was great, don't get me wrong, but I think it's important to know this.

[RelentlessRolento]

They should make a sequel starring Martin Summer and his search for Alan with his sidekick, Pirate Granny, as he writes the Great American Novel!

Or not.


I'd like a game where, while I don't enjoy her at the current age, you play a young Rosa... she's a complex woman :)

[ratzombie]

I'd like to play as Brian Bradley from Hotel Dusk. I think it'd be interesting to see how things happened from his point-of-view.

[io]

Interesting article on the potential for Adventure Games making a comeback on the Wii:

http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070205/nixon_01.shtml

I thought it would relevant to this thread, though it seems not to mention Hotel Dusk at all (though it does mention Phoenix Wright). True, it is focused more on the Wii, but it is also about Nintendo, so you'd think they might mention that Nintendo published Hotel Dusk.

[redsox6391]

I just fucked up my timing on the game. I kept the DS closed by accident for many hours. Now I have spent quite a bit of time on it...

[Javery]

Wow, your co-workers must think you have problems...

Well, it's not like I announce it or bring them in there with me.

[seanr1221]

I've never played an adventure game before, but I've heard this is awesome. I wouldn't mind picking it up down the line, but I'm afraid if I wait longer, it's going to be imposible to find. Thoughts?

[redsox6391]

I've never played an adventure game before, but I've heard this is awesome. I wouldn't mind picking it up down the line, but I'm afraid if I wait longer, it's going to be imposible to find. Thoughts?

Get up, and go get it RIGHT NOW!

[amicus]

i just finished this game. it was pretty good.

i wish they didn't have those summaries at teh end of each chapter. and i wish there were harder minigames. most of the game was fairly easy.

i can't wait to see where they go with this style of game.

[hootie]

Haha, I'm on my 2nd playthrough, and I'm trying to be as much of a douchbag as possible.


I pissed off Melissa REAL good :rofl:

[Blind the Thief]

I was forced to stop playing last ngiht at the end of Chapter 9. For those of you that have finished the game, you can imagine why I'm pretty much DYING TO GET HOME FROM WORK AND TURN ON MY DS.

[daroga]

I was forced to stop playing last ngiht at the end of Chapter 9. For those of you that have finished the game, you can imagine why I'm pretty much DYING TO GET HOME FROM WORK AND TURN ON MY DS.Why?


;)

[Vegan]

Hey, I had it worse. I got to the very end.... and then had to go to work. 8 hours of pure punishment.

[RelentlessRolento]

is this a touch generations game? if so, it's probably the best at being what touch generations is suppose to be.

[ratzombie]

is this a touch generations game? if so, it's probably the best at being what touch generations is suppose to be.

No, it's not. It'd make sense for it to be though.

[spiwak]

It finally came in today, and incidentally I also finished Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney today. You know what means...

[RelentlessRolento]

other characters that would be great as stand alone stories:

Young dunning and his story buying Hotel Dusk

Louie... coolest mofo ever... his street life stories would rock. Plus bradley would finally show up in his story as well.

[ratzombie]

other characters that would be great as stand alone stories:

Young dunning and his story buying Hotel Dusk

Louie... coolest mofo ever... his street life stories would rock. Plus bradley would finally show up in his story as well.

Yeah, I would definitely buy every one of them. Hotel Dusk is a huge hit for CING, hopefully they don't waste the series.

[RelentlessRolento]

Yeah, I would definitely buy every one of them. Hotel Dusk is a huge hit for CING, hopefully they don't waste the series.


agreed. I will say it may be hard to keep the name "Hotel Dusk" unless it's new characters in the same hotel, but if they did the Dunning story I mentioned then the name would still stick good.

[Reality's Fringe]

Just started it last night, and so far it seems significantly better than Trace Memory. It's annoying that they use the same puzzle sound effects from that game, however.

[ratzombie]

agreed. I will say it may be hard to keep the name "Hotel Dusk" unless it's new characters in the same hotel, but if they did the Dunning story I mentioned then the name would still stick good.
Well, CING could make it a sort of prequel to Hotel Dusk, where you play as Brian and experience first-hand what happened to him. Then during the course of the game you would go back to Hotel Dusk as "Kyle Hyde" placing clues, etc. for the real Kyle that comes later.

It would still make the "Hotel Dusk" name relevent, and help us understand the character a bit more. Or you know, the second game could just be about Kyle searching for more clues in Santa Monica, California. Whatever they decide to do, I'm sure it'll be great. I just would hate for Hotel Dusk to be a one hit wonder, and never seeing the characters again.

[Blind the Thief]

agreed. I will say it may be hard to keep the name "Hotel Dusk" unless it's new characters in the same hotel, but if they did the Dunning story I mentioned then the name would still stick good.

I'd prefer them to go the Ico/Shadow of the Colossus route (have different names, but the fans know they're tangently related / a similar experience anyway).

[RelentlessRolento]

:lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYpldGELMI4

[ratzombie]

Haha, nice Rolento. I was wondering how long it'd take for someone to do it.

[Blind the Thief]

I wish Rolento's video worked, but sadly, my work computer won't play videos like that. Guess I gotta wait until I get home, hm?


In other news: I TOTALLY BEAT IT LAST NIGHT. Has DS had its game of the year already? I think so.

[Javery]

Finished Chapter 2 this morning. The story is really getting good. I mean it's cliched but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy it.

[Scobie]

Finished Chapter 2 this morning. The story is really getting good. I mean it's cliched but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy it.

It gets better. A *lot* better. Just beat it tonight and have to say I was impressed after a shaky start.

[redsox6391]

Oh my god.

How more can I say I NEVER want this game to end. I just beat Chapter 9 and Kyle just got in the wine cellar and WAM!. I am forcing myself to hold off until the setting is perfect for my finishing of the game. 8 o' clock tonight will be the time. Nice and dark. Luckily I have Phoenix Wright 1 and 2 to play after this, but I don't think any game will ever come close in comparison to Hotel Dusk. Definitely my favorite game ever. Quoting EGM's review, "I want a sequel, dammit!".

[Scobie]

I kinda get the feeling that Nintendo got caught off-guard by this one. It's almost impossible to find around here and it seems like the whole intarweb is buzzing about it -- "Ah! An adventure game where the puzzles stay with the in-game context? You mean I don't have to use a spider web to fix a bug net? *AND* it looks like the Ah-Ha video? Sign me up!"

Cing really knocked this one out of the park. Sequel *now*.

[mykevermin]

The local TRU had several dozen copies, but it's tough to find anywhere else.

I'm so enrapt with this game that I wanted to leave the bar last night so I could come home and play through chapter 3.

[Scorch]

This was part of an internal memo from Gamestop.. this is why I said it'll be everywhere initially, then.. not so everywhere in a few weeks.

3. The demand for “Hotel Dusk: Room 215″ has surpassed our inital forecast and we do not have enough to supply all stores. If you have customers wanting to purchase this title, please direct them to our online store at www.gamestop.com. Thanks for your cooperation.

[RelentlessRolento]

In other news: I TOTALLY BEAT IT LAST NIGHT. Has DS had its game of the year already? I think so.


just beat it last night as well... damn, so freaking good. Kyle is one of the most convincing guys I've seen in a game ever... He could convince a bomb to turn into daisies... he's that good.

Also, Louie DeNNano is fucking too awesome... "Oh-trip, Man!"

Dunning also steals the show... last chapter really blew my mind.

I want to point out that this game has the most unique setup for villians/enemys... Every chapter seems to have a guest who is a bad guy but turns out to be good in the end... and after beating the entire game you realize the real enemy is Nile and that the entire cast has had a bad past due to Nile.

and yes, a sequel is a must now.

[Ikohn4ever]

just beat it last night as well... damn, so freaking good. Kyle is one of the most convincing guys I've seen in a game ever... He could convince a bomb to turn into daisies... he's that good.

Also, Louie DeNNano is fucking too awesome... "Oh-trip, Man!"

Dunning also steals the show... last chapter really blew my mind.

I want to point out that this game has the most unique setup for villians/enemys... Every chapter seems to have a guest who is a bad guy but turns out to be good in the end... and after beating the entire game you realize the real enemy is Nile and that the entire cast has had a bad past due to Nile.

and yes, a sequel is a must now.


you think Louie is awesome now, but wait till he finds out Mila is leaving with Kyle he is going to be pissed

[Dead of Knight]

This was part of an internal memo from Gamestop.. this is why I said it'll be everywhere initially, then.. not so everywhere in a few weeks.

[/B]
Damn.

[redsox6391]

I did notice something in the end that hints to a sequel.

When Kyle was leaving the hotel Louie asked me if Kyle was ever going to swing by again, and he said, "Yeah, maybe". Or something like that. SEQUEL PLEASE!!!!!!!!

[SpikeSpiegel]

I have to get started on this game.

[RelentlessRolento]

you think Louie is awesome now, but wait till he finds out Mila is leaving with Kyle he is going to be pissed


:lol: At least he has Iris to gawk at... kyle should of at least left him the Mens Magazine with pics of Iris in it :lol:

[mykevermin]

I'm gonna be the person who may be hated upon. I think this is a good game, but also not really a "game." I feel too often like it's a James Patterson novel with a few options thrown in. Like Pheonix Wright, there's very little interaction and lots of reading, but I just feel that there's way too much linearity on this title when compared with the attorney at law.

That said, it's an interesting story (just finished chapter 8), but a lil' too cliche. It's a shame, really, b/c the story is what's driving this. I admit I anticipate what's coming next, and how things come together. I also feel, however, that the lack of game is covered up by its innovation. I also feel that the few interactive options you have aren't really options at all, but, rather, the occasional reminder that this is a game and not a graphic novel. It seems that the majority of the questions are poorly designed, and make the correct choice obvious.

I don't want to seem too grouchy about this game - I am very much enjoying it. Nevertheless, I am more excited by the promise of seeing other developers taking this concept further, with other well written games with complex plots; this time adding more interactivity, taking the game off of the rails, and generally making it seem more game-like and less novel-like.

That said, is Trace Memory worth my time if I like this?

[Rei no Otaku]

That said, is Trace Memory worth my time if I like this?
Sadly I'm like one of three people who liked Trace Memory. I say it's worth your time, but I'm sure few will agree with me.

[q 3]

That said, is Trace Memory worth my time if I like this?

Trace Memory is shorter, more linear, has a more simplistic story and much less dialogue. That said, it's still a quality production, and in most other respects (graphics, sound, interface, puzzles, etc.) is basically Hotel Dusk's public beta. The puzzles are occasionally even a bit more devious in Trace Memory. Whether you would like it or not really depends on what you most enjoyed in Hotel Dusk - if it was mainly the writing that drew you in, probably not, though at 5 hours and $10 these days it might still be worth a go.

[Darkside Hazuki]

Trace Memory is shorter, more linear, has a more simplistic story and much less dialogue. That said, it's still a quality production, and in most other respects (graphics, sound, interface, puzzles, etc.) is basically Hotel Dusk's public beta. The puzzles are occasionally even a bit more devious in Trace Memory. Whether you would like it or not really depends on what you most enjoyed in Hotel Dusk - if it was mainly the writing that drew you in, probably not, though at 5 hours and $10 these days it might still be worth a go.

No one could have said that any better. I enjoyed Trace Memory, but I played it before Hotel Dusk.

[mykevermin]

Thanks for the insight. Maybe I'll jump on it if I can find it for $10.

[RelentlessRolento]

I'm gonna be the person who may be hated upon. I think this is a good game, but also not really a "game." I feel too often like it's a James Patterson novel with a few options thrown in. Like Pheonix Wright, there's very little interaction and lots of reading, but I just feel that there's way too much linearity on this title when compared with the attorney at law.

That said, it's an interesting story (just finished chapter 8), but a lil' too cliche. It's a shame, really, b/c the story is what's driving this. I admit I anticipate what's coming next, and how things come together. I also feel, however, that the lack of game is covered up by its innovation. I also feel that the few interactive options you have aren't really options at all, but, rather, the occasional reminder that this is a game and not a graphic novel. It seems that the majority of the questions are poorly designed, and make the correct choice obvious.

I don't want to seem too grouchy about this game - I am very much enjoying it. Nevertheless, I am more excited by the promise of seeing other developers taking this concept further, with other well written games with complex plots; this time adding more interactivity, taking the game off of the rails, and generally making it seem more game-like and less novel-like.

That said, is Trace Memory worth my time if I like this?


I don't see it as cliche really at all... yes, it's a detective story and your main character is the laid back guy looking into the myster, but isn't that what makes it so good? since when did a game (or even movie) pull the feel of being that type of guy so well? Kyle convinces me more of a realistic setting of noir and whatnot than much of what I have played...

but I do see what you mean.

[Snake2715]

Just starting this game last night. Watched the intro looked at a few items on the wall and shut it down. I should have time to dig into it over the next couple days...

Thanks Newegg and $15 paypal rebate!

[spiwak]

I'm gonna be the person who may be hated upon. I think this is a good game, but also not really a "game." I feel too often like it's a James Patterson novel with a few options thrown in. Like Pheonix Wright, there's very little interaction and lots of reading, but I just feel that there's way too much linearity on this title when compared with the attorney at law.
Hmm, this isn't meant to sound like the start of the hate or anything, but I don't understand your complaints. Phoenix Wright was totally linear, whereas it seems based on my playing of Hotel Dusk so far and what I've heard others say of it, it actually has multiple endings. At the very least it seems your choices do affect the game (I just finished chapter 2, and I told Rose that Louie wasn't a criminal, for instance). I guess you need to understand to appreciate it is that it's an adventure game, which typically did just have a story and you had to do the right thing at the right time to advance the story and there would be almost no way to change the outcome of said story or change the order of events (there are some exceptions, such as Blade Runner). With that in mind, I think Hotel Dusk (and Phoenix Wright) are both awesome adventure games.

Sorry you're not liking the story so far, though. That's the main selling point for the game, I would think, so not liking it is kind of a big damper on the experience. Oh well, I'm liking it so far. Maybe you'll love the ending.

[mykevermin]

I don't dislike the story, but it doesn't deserve that much praise. Perhaps it's an apples/oranges comparison, or an indication of how little story pervades games, but the story in Hotel Dusk would be a straight-to-video film or dimestore paperback book. Certainly nothing that gets attention or accolades. It's not bad, but not necessarily original. Nevertheless, I do like the promise it offers: it's really one of very few games of its type (though it does harken back to the Shadowgate/Deja Vu/Uninvited series from Kemco). If this is where it starts, I hope it can only get better from here.

When I complain about its linearity, I think that I get two feelings: 1) the game beats you over the head with what to do next. To create true adventure, there needs to be a balance between giving the player no hints at all and doing everything but moving the cursor to where it needs to be. The very end of the game in the basement beneath the wine cellar was really the only spot where that came close to being "challenging," IMO. There just seemed to be too much steering for my liking ("I need to go see Louie here and do this thing"). The other spot that I thought was too linear were in your conversation choices: the game ended almost immediately after making a "wrong" decision, and too often it seemed like the choices weren't really choices at all, and that one of them was obviously the correct choice, and one of them was written so as to be a totally incorrect choice. Like this:

1) I know you killed Jake! (not related to the game at all, but bear with me)
or
2) I like tacos!

At that point, I felt offended that they'd given me the option of choosing something. It felt very much like the developers/programmers had a moment where they thought "oh, shit, we're making a game! We gotta have some input here!"

Look, I don't hate the game, and I feel like my time playing it was well spent. But, more than believing it to be that amazing and unable to be critiqued, I think it has some flaws. The story is rather interesting and heartwarming, but still kinda goofy by the end.

[Strell]

Started last night, played through the first chapter.

The artwork in the game is unbelievably beautiful. The pencil sketches can be a little rough at times, but the watercolor images are so elegant. It is rare that such attention to paid toward style these days, as opposed to outright photorealism.

Can't comment much on the game. Story is just getting started, and I think the controls can be a little wonky. For example, I want to be able to look up and down, not just side to side. But at least the game works around this limitation fairly well with the slider bar after you "lock in" on something to investigate.

I don't think the dialog so far sounds cheesy or out of place. Kyle sounds fairly real in my opinion.

Hope to play it more tonight.

[judyjudyjudy]

I don't dislike the story, but it doesn't deserve that much praise. Perhaps it's an apples/oranges comparison, or an indication of how little story pervades games, but the story in Hotel Dusk would be a straight-to-video film or dimestore paperback book. Certainly nothing that gets attention or accolades. It's not bad, but not necessarily original. Nevertheless, I do like the promise it offers: it's really one of very few games of its type (though it does harken back to the Shadowgate/Deja Vu/Uninvited series from Kemco). If this is where it starts, I hope it can only get better from here.I think I give the story a lot of praise for more of the way it develops, rather than the actual plot. (Does that even make sense?) I don't think the story is all THAT original, but I find the way you go from knowing nothing to knowing mostly everything to be really well done. When you first start off, you don't know who anybody is in the hotel (well, except for Louie or what they're doing there. When you first start finding more things out, there are so many parallels and coincidences things revolving around angels, different events occurring on the same dates, etc. and eventually a lot of what you find out makes sense... I'm personally impressed with the way it progresses.

And I totally agree about the linearity. If the game was going to be so dialogue driven and be short on puzzles, you'd think the branching would have been more complex. All adventure games are very linear, but even Phoenix Wright had some challenge with choices. Aside from a couple puzzles, you can pretty much guess everything in Hotel Dusk after a couple tries. With Phoenix Wright, you had to choose specific conversation points and specific pieces of evidence to progress, which left you with a lot of choices.

[mykevermin]

I think I give the story a lot of praise for more of the way it develops, rather than the actual plot. (Does that even make sense?)

Very much so.

I failed to give the game credit, like strell did, for the watercolor look of some of it. The game has style, that's for certain. And with the exception of one word (Americans don't say "daft," as far as I know), the dialogue is very well written. I hope I'm not the only one who had Otto from the Simpson's voice in my head reading each and every one of Louis' lines. The characters are very fleshed out and real.

[ratzombie]

Started last night, played through the first chapter.

The artwork in the game is unbelievably beautiful. The pencil sketches can be a little rough at times, but the watercolor images are so elegant. It is rare that such attention to paid toward style these days, as opposed to outright photorealism.

Can't comment much on the game. Story is just getting started, and I think the controls can be a little wonky. For example, I want to be able to look up and down, not just side to side. But at least the game works around this limitation fairly well with the slider bar after you "lock in" on something to investigate.

I don't think the dialog so far sounds cheesy or out of place. Kyle sounds fairly real in my opinion.

Hope to play it more tonight.
The controls take a little getting used to, by at least the third or maybe fourth chapter it felt relatively comfortable to me.

[Vegan]

I don't dislike the story, but it doesn't deserve that much praise. Perhaps it's an apples/oranges comparison, or an indication of how little story pervades games, but the story in Hotel Dusk would be a straight-to-video film or dimestore paperback book. Certainly nothing that gets attention or accolades. It's not bad, but not necessarily original. Nevertheless, I do like the promise it offers: it's really one of very few games of its type (though it does harken back to the Shadowgate/Deja Vu/Uninvited series from Kemco). If this is where it starts, I hope it can only get better from here.

When I complain about its linearity, I think that I get two feelings: 1) the game beats you over the head with what to do next. To create true adventure, there needs to be a balance between giving the player no hints at all and doing everything but moving the cursor to where it needs to be. The very end of the game in the basement beneath the wine cellar was really the only spot where that came close to being "challenging," IMO. There just seemed to be too much steering for my liking ("I need to go see Louie here and do this thing"). The other spot that I thought was too linear were in your conversation choices: the game ended almost immediately after making a "wrong" decision, and too often it seemed like the choices weren't really choices at all, and that one of them was obviously the correct choice, and one of them was written so as to be a totally incorrect choice. Like this:

1) I know you killed Jake! (not related to the game at all, but bear with me)
or
2) I like tacos!

At that point, I felt offended that they'd given me the option of choosing something. It felt very much like the developers/programmers had a moment where they thought "oh, shit, we're making a game! We gotta have some input here!"

Look, I don't hate the game, and I feel like my time playing it was well spent. But, more than believing it to be that amazing and unable to be critiqued, I think it has some flaws. The story is rather interesting and heartwarming, but still kinda goofy by the end.

Hotel Dusk isn't a game, it's an interactive novel, which is an actual genre in Japan. It really is just walking around and talking to people, with a few moments of interactivity here and there. It wasn't a case of Cing going, "Oh shit, we forgot we were making a game for a second!" It was merely following an already-established formula. As far as I know, we've never gotten anything from this genre, so we're not used to it.

[Reality's Fringe]

I hope I'm not the only one who had Otto from the Simpson's voice in my head reading each and every one of Louis' lines. The characters are very fleshed out and real.


I give him more of a Shaggy from "Scooby-Doo" kind of voice. Rosa gets an inflected Rosanne. I'm still working on everyone else.

[spiwak]

I don't dislike the story, but it doesn't deserve that much praise. Perhaps it's an apples/oranges comparison, or an indication of how little story pervades games, but the story in Hotel Dusk would be a straight-to-video film or dimestore paperback book. Certainly nothing that gets attention or accolades. It's not bad, but not necessarily original. Nevertheless, I do like the promise it offers: it's really one of very few games of its type (though it does harken back to the Shadowgate/Deja Vu/Uninvited series from Kemco). If this is where it starts, I hope it can only get better from here.

When I complain about its linearity, I think that I get two feelings: 1) the game beats you over the head with what to do next. To create true adventure, there needs to be a balance between giving the player no hints at all and doing everything but moving the cursor to where it needs to be. The very end of the game in the basement beneath the wine cellar was really the only spot where that came close to being "challenging," IMO. There just seemed to be too much steering for my liking ("I need to go see Louie here and do this thing"). The other spot that I thought was too linear were in your conversation choices: the game ended almost immediately after making a "wrong" decision, and too often it seemed like the choices weren't really choices at all, and that one of them was obviously the correct choice, and one of them was written so as to be a totally incorrect choice. Like this:

1) I know you killed Jake! (not related to the game at all, but bear with me)
or
2) I like tacos!

At that point, I felt offended that they'd given me the option of choosing something. It felt very much like the developers/programmers had a moment where they thought "oh, shit, we're making a game! We gotta have some input here!"

Look, I don't hate the game, and I feel like my time playing it was well spent. But, more than believing it to be that amazing and unable to be critiqued, I think it has some flaws. The story is rather interesting and heartwarming, but still kinda goofy by the end.

I think you're right about general story patterns in games. People typically overpraise the story of a game if it's decent because, well, games aren't known for their stories. Very rarely does a story in a game actually affect me at the same level of a good film or book (but I'm pretty snobby, too) - I think only Planescape, Grim Fandango, and Fallout, maybe Bloodlines, come close for me. However, I give Hotel Dusk some credit because it's clearly a noir story, which allows for plenty of cliche since there are unwritten guidelines for the genre.

[mykevermin]

Hotel Dusk isn't a game, it's an interactive novel, which is an actual genre in Japan. It really is just walking around and talking to people, with a few moments of interactivity here and there. It wasn't a case of Cing going, "Oh shit, we forgot we were making a game for a second!" It was merely following an already-established formula. As far as I know, we've never gotten anything from this genre, so we're not used to it.

Point taken (I recall a Silent Hill novel adventure on the GBA that was lamentably never released here). Nevertheless, if there is going to be some interactivity (as compared with my understanding of Metal Gear Graphic Novel), why make the answers so bloomin' obvious?

spiwak, I can see your points about the noir aesthetic of the game.

[bingbangboom]

I got Trace Memory a week or so before Hotel Dusk. Was at TRU for only $9.98. So figured why not. Too much reading. I am for some reason drawn to HD but no idea why. There is very little actual gameplay in it. There is a shit ton of reading. I wish there was actually more gameplay in it.

I love the artwork and the way you can play the game, its just a lack of gaming. The thing that was fun with Pheonix Wright is that it was compelling but fun. I like more adventure games that are fun and funny.

I also think the same amount of story could be done with more gameplay. I would have LOVED voice acting.

[Vegan]

I would have LOVED voice acting.

Ugh. No.

[Javery]

I give him more of a Shaggy from "Scooby-Doo" kind of voice. Rosa gets an inflected Rosanne. I'm still working on everyone else.

Rosa gets the voice of "Berta" from 2.5 Men in my mind. Louie has been "Crush" from Finding Nemo. I'm not sure why.

[RelentlessRolento]

Ugh. No.


voice acting would have totally killed it for me... I think the reading compliments it alot.

[spiwak]

The idea is for it to be like a book, after all.