Info about D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die -Season One-:

Official game description:
This is the story of a man with a very strange fate.
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His name is David Young – formerly with the Boston PD Narcotics Unit, now a private detective. He possesses the supernatural ability to “dive” into the world of the past by touching left-behind items called “mementos.” Two years ago, Young’s wife was killed by an unknown assailant, and Young suffered a blow to the head that cost him his memory. His wife’s final words: “Look for D.”  
D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die - A new mystery adventure game from SWERY, the mind behind Deadly Premonition. This unsettling tale unfolds through a series of episodes as the hero pursues his wife’s murderer and dives into the past. Season One includes the Prologue, Episode 1, and Episode 2.  
Enter the crazy world of D4, meet its cast of quirky characters and watch as the gripping tale unfolds.
Game Features
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*   An unpredictable story.  
*   Numerous weird and eccentric characters.  
*   A brand-new game experience, with immersive controls adapted to keyboard and mouse.  
*   Clues scattered about the world to help you find your mark.  
*   Use your special abilities to find hints and open the way forward when you’re stuck.  
*   Collect credits to buy clothing and beards. Dress David up however you like.

Release date: Jun 5, 2015

Categories: Point-and-click Adventure, Interactive Movie, Episodic Structure, Detective Game, QTE-based Gameplay, Time Travel Mechanics, Supernatural Mystery, Mouse-Only Controls


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $2.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews repeatedly frame the game as worth playing only at a discount, and one reviewer gives an explicit buy threshold below $2.00. Another says full price is hard to recommend, while even positive comments tend to recommend waiting for a sale. This supports a fair base-game price well below the full price, in the low single-digit to roughly $10 range.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 5.5h
  - Story completion: 5.5h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Multiple English and translated Japanese reviews report finishing the available Season One content in a narrow 4-6 hour range: one player's Steam time is 5.6 hours, another says the prologue plus two episodes take four to six hours, a Japanese review says the scenario was cleared in about 6 hours, and another reports about 5 hours before the cliffhanger ending. These converge on roughly 5.5 hours for both completing the available game and completing the available main story. No review gives a typical continuous session length; episode and season lengths are content lengths, not session durations. No review reports post-completion or endgame-only hours, so endgame is null.
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes:
  - Lynchian Story Devotee (buy)
    - Motivation: To experience a unique, surreal detective story with Lynchian atmosphere and quirky humor.
    - Playstyle: Plays for narrative and atmosphere, explores dialogue and scenes, and accepts low-interaction or clunky adventure mechanics.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Deadly Premonition; The Walking Dead; The Wolf Among Us
  - Complete-Story Advocate (no buy)
    - Motivation: To avoid investing time or money in an unfinished story that may never deliver a conclusion.
    - Playstyle: Checks completion status, avoids unfinished episodic titles, and may watch Let's Plays or wait until a full season exists.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Discount-Waiting Curious Adventurer (sale)
    - Motivation: To try the unique game at a low-risk price while avoiding overpaying for incomplete content.
    - Playstyle: Buys on sale, sticks to the base game unless collecting DLC, and plays casually for the experience.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Swery Completionist (buy)
    - Motivation: To complete achievements and indulge in niche trivia within a favorite developer's catalog.
    - Playstyle: Hunts achievements, seeks out trivia and collectibles, and tolerates an unresolved story for completion's sake.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Eccentric Memorable Character Cast (weight 0.51): Players consistently praise the game's cast of eccentric, deeply flawed, and unique characters that feel full of life and creativity. This quirkiness is repeatedly highlighted as one of the game's defining strengths across many reviews.
- Engaging Well-Crafted Story (weight 0.41): The storyline is widely described as intriguing, charming, and well presented, with many players noting it hooks you from beginning to end. It is frequently cited as the main reason the game remains compelling.
- Hilarious Enjoyable Action Sequences (weight 0.31): Players enjoy the over-the-top, radical action scenes and QTEs, finding them funny, satisfying, and never annoying. The humor and quality of these sequences are recurring highlights.
- Unique Quirky Absurd Presentation (weight 0.3): Reviewers repeatedly mention the game's offbeat, unconventional style and distinct atmosphere, with absurdity and silliness adding to its charm. This unique identity stands out as a major selling point.
- Generally Positive Fun Game (weight 0.29): Many players describe the game as pretty good, interesting, and enjoyable overall. While not overly detailed, the consensus is a fun experience.
- Excellent Soundtrack And Music (weight 0.26): Many players highlight the soundtrack as amazing, elevating the overall experience and fitting the mood well. Music and sound design are consistently praised as high quality.
- Mouse-Only Controls Work Well (weight 0.21): The mouse-only control scheme is frequently called convenient and flawlessly implemented, making the game accessible. Mouse-based QTE gestures are also noted as a unique and lenient feature.
- Superb Graphics And Cutscenes (weight 0.19): The game's graphics are described as high quality and cinematic, with cutscenes that are well done and visually impressive. Presentation is consistently praised as polished.
- Great Value Worth Buying (weight 0.11): Many players consider the game definitely worth buying and worth every penny. The overall experience justifies the price for most reviewers.
- Avant-Garde Character Customization (weight 0.1): The inclusion of character customization, described as avant-garde, adds a unique layer of personalization. Players appreciate this creative feature.
- Stellar Voice Acting (weight 0.08): Reviewers frequently commend the voice acting as superb and stellar, with only rare minor exceptions. This adds significantly to the overall immersion.
- Vision System Aids Exploration (weight 0.08): The vision system is praised for helping uncover clues and collectibles, enhancing exploration. It is seen as a useful and well-implemented mechanic.
- Good Japanese Localization (weight 0.07): The Japanese localization, though subtitles only, is noted as good quality. It makes the game more accessible to Japanese-speaking players.

Common complaints:
- Massive cliffhanger ending (weight 0.54): The story concludes on an abrupt and huge cliffhanger, leaving the narrative unresolved. This is a common complaint among players who expected a completed game.
- Game left unfinished (weight 0.51): Players report the game is incomplete and was abandoned by the developers. Many feel it will never be finished, leading to frustration.
- No continuation planned (weight 0.45): It is widely believed that no second season or sequel will be made. This leaves the story without closure and players disappointed.
- Only prologue and two episodes (weight 0.31): Season 1 consists only of a prologue and two episodes, which does not constitute a complete season. This short length contributes to the unfinished feeling.
- Unanswered questions remain (weight 0.24): Many plot threads are left unresolved, with numerous questions unanswered. Players are left wanting to know what happens next.
- Story will never be complete (weight 0.24): Players believe the story will never be completed due to the game's cancellation. This permanent incompleteness is a major source of disappointment.
- Story ends abruptly (weight 0.19): The narrative stops right in the middle, often at a tense or interesting moment. This abrupt cut-off contributes to the feeling of an unfinished product.
- Season 2 cancelled (weight 0.16): Season 2 was cancelled, leaving the narrative on a cliffhanger. Players will not get to see the end of the story.
- Clunky controls (weight 0.13): Controls are described as weird, stilted, and unresponsive. The Kinect origins likely contribute to these issues.
- Very short game (weight 0.11): The game is criticized for its short length, taking only about 3 hours to complete. Players expected more content.
- Little to no gameplay (weight 0.08): The game is criticized for having almost non-existent gameplay, with very little interaction. This makes it feel more like an interactive story than a game.
- Graphical options lacking (weight 0.07): The game offers almost no graphical settings, limiting player customization. This is a minor but notable complaint.
- Unstable framerate (weight 0.07): Some players experience an unstable framerate, which can affect the overall experience. This is a technical performance issue.

Gameplay feedback:
- Telltale-style narrative adventure (weight 0.49): Players consistently describe the game as a narrative-driven adventure reminiscent of Telltale Games, with a strong focus on story, characters, and dialogue choices.
- QTE-centric interactive gameplay (weight 0.47): The game relies heavily on quick-time events for interactions, combat, and action scenes, often triggered even for mundane actions. QTEs typically involve mouse gestures or directional dragging.
- Episodic detective mystery (weight 0.34): The game is a detective adventure with mystery and investigation elements, structured as a prologue and two episodes. Players follow a detective solving a case.
- Mouse-only control scheme (weight 0.27): The game can be played entirely with the mouse, though some versions offer optional gamepad or WASD plus mouse support. Controls are generally simple but may feel clunky initially.
- Kinect origins influence design (weight 0.21): Originally designed for Xbox One Kinect, the game's motion controls and QTE-heavy design reflect its Kinect-based origins. This likely contributed to the high frequency of QTEs.
- Action sequences and minigames (weight 0.17): Action sequences are interspersed with gameplay, and the game includes more minigames and dialogue options compared to typical Telltale titles.
- Time-travel detective powers (weight 0.16): The protagonist is a detective who travels to the past through objects or mementos to investigate events. This time-travel mechanic is central to puzzle-solving and clue gathering.
- Stamina and resource systems (weight 0.16): Actions deplete a stamina bar that must be replenished by eating food. The game also includes vision, health, and credit currency systems that add resource management.
- Character customization available (weight 0.1): Players can customize the main characters, allowing for personalization of appearance or traits. This feature is noted but not heavily emphasized.
- Vision system for clues (weight 0.08): A vision system helps uncover clues and collectibles, often used during investigations to reveal hidden details or evidence.
- Side quests and collectibles (weight 0.08): The game includes side quests, letters, and collectibles scattered throughout, encouraging exploration and additional engagement beyond the main story.
- Interactive movie without branching (weight 0.08): The game is described as an interactive movie where choices do not significantly affect the story. This linearity aligns with its narrative focus.

Performance notes:
- Mixed performance reports (weight 0.21): Some players report poor optimization and lag, while others have no lag, flawless performance, or a generally stable experience on certain hardware. Performance varies widely depending on the system.
- Unstable performance and crashing (weight 0.14): Players experience unstable framerate, lag, and crashes, sometimes after running for a while. These issues make the game difficult to enjoy for some.
- Resolution and display issues (weight 0.13): Multiple players report rendering at incorrect resolutions, such as 1680x1050 instead of 1920x1200, and a lack of native 1080p support with gameplay around 720p. These problems can sometimes be fixed by using windowed mode with Lossless Scaling, but they remain common.
- Dated graphics and aliasing (weight 0.11): The graphics are described as low-resolution PS3-like and dated even for a 2014 game, with no anti-aliasing. This visual quality is a common criticism.
- Missing graphics settings (weight 0.08): There are almost no graphical options available, limiting players' ability to adjust visual quality or performance. This lack of settings is a frequent complaint.
- Clunky controls and slow menus (weight 0.08): Controls are clunky and unresponsive, and navigating menus and the shop is painfully slow. These issues detract from the overall experience.
- Launcher requirement (weight 0.04): An alternative launcher is required to make the game playable, which can be an inconvenience. This is a specific but notable issue.
- Locked at 60FPS (weight 0.04): The game runs locked at 60FPS, which may be a limitation for players with higher refresh rate monitors. This is a minor point.

Recommendations:
- Negative recommendation due to incompleteness (weight 0.34): A significant number of reviewers do not recommend the game because it is incomplete and ends on a cliffhanger. They advise against buying it in its current unfinished state.
- Avoid game due to incompleteness (weight 0.31): Many reviewers strongly advise against purchasing the game because it is unfinished and ends abruptly. They caution that buying now wastes money on an incomplete experience, especially since no continuation is planned.
- Positive recommendation without hesitation (weight 0.27): Many reviewers highly recommend the game, some without hesitation, praising its story, characters, and overall experience. They consider it a must-buy for fans of the genre.
- Wait for sale or sequel (weight 0.26): A common recommendation is to buy the game only on sale or after a sequel is confirmed. Reviewers suggest waiting until the story progresses more or the game is fully completed before purchasing.
- Recommended on sale (weight 0.25): Many reviewers suggest buying the game only on sale, as the incomplete story and short length make it hard to justify the full price. At a discounted price, it is considered worth trying.
- Avoid due to cancelled season two (weight 0.24): The cancellation of season two leaves the story on a permanent cliffhanger, which many reviewers cite as a reason not to buy. They warn that the game is abandoned and will never have a proper conclusion.
- Mixed feelings due to unfinished story (weight 0.23): Some reviewers have mixed feelings: they enjoyed the game but were disappointed by the abrupt ending. They recommend it with reservations, warning that the story is incomplete.
- Fans of SWERY and Deadly Premonition (weight 0.21): Players who enjoy SWERY's previous work, such as Deadly Premonition, are likely to appreciate this game despite its flaws. It is recommended for those who like non-standard Japanese games and detective stories with a unique, offbeat style.
- Wait for completion or sequel (weight 0.21): Reviewers recommend waiting until the game is finished or a sequel is fully announced before buying. They advise against starting an episodic game that may never be completed.
- Recommended for Telltale and narrative fans (weight 0.19): The game is highly recommended for fans of Telltale-style adventure games, interactive stories like Life is Strange and Dreamfall Chapters, and narrative-driven experiences. Those who enjoy dynamic novels and interactive movies will appreciate it.
- Worth it despite unfinished ending (weight 0.18): Some reviewers still recommend the game despite its unfinished ending, considering it a unique and worthwhile experience. They find the journey, characters, and story compelling enough to overlook the lack of closure.
- Support the developer (weight 0.17): Some reviewers encourage purchasing the game to support the developer and express a desire for more episodes. They hope that support will lead to a continuation or future projects.
- Unique and unconventional experience (weight 0.16): The game is praised for being uniquely weird and offering a special experience, even without a conclusion. It appeals to players who value personality and are open to offbeat, unconventional games.
- Great for adventure game fans (weight 0.13): The game is highly recommended for fans of adventure games, especially those who enjoy detective stories and graphic adventures. It is considered a standout title in the genre.
- DLC and edition purchase advice (weight 0.13): Reviewers advise against buying the Deluxe Edition or unlock keys, as most content can be unlocked in-game. They recommend buying the base game and only considering DLC for extra costumes.
- Not recommended for closure seekers (weight 0.11): Players who need a complete story with a satisfying ending are advised to stay away, as the game ends abruptly and will never be finished. It is not suitable for those who cannot handle unfinished projects.
- Try before you buy (weight 0.1): Some reviewers suggest trying the demo first or checking out sample movies to see if the game appeals to you. They also recommend buying through legitimate channels to support the developers.
- Technical and control recommendations (weight 0.09): Some reviewers recommend playing with a gamepad rather than keyboard and mouse. They also note that the PC port is better than Deadly Premonition's.
- Watch on YouTube instead (weight 0.07): Some reviewers suggest watching a Let's Play on YouTube instead of buying the game, especially since the story will never be completed. This allows experiencing the narrative without spending money on an unfinished product.
- Appeals to Twin Peaks and David Lynch fans (weight 0.07): Fans of Twin Peaks and David Lynch's work are likely to enjoy this game due to its similar surreal and quirky atmosphere. It is recommended for those who appreciate that style.

Other player notes:
- Cliffhanger Ending No Resolution (weight 0.33): The story concludes abruptly on a cliffhanger with unresolved plot twists and no conclusion. Multiple clusters confirm the narrative ends mid-scene with a 'To be continued' screen.
- Swery and Deadly Premonition Connection (weight 0.28): The game is developed by Swery and shares the Deadly Premonition universe. It contains many references to that title and its quirky mechanics.
- Comparable to Telltale Games (weight 0.28): The visual style and gameplay are frequently compared to Telltale adventure games. Direct comparisons include The Walking Dead, The Wolf Among Us, and Life is Strange.
- Unfinished Abandoned Game (weight 0.27): Multiple clusters report the game is cancelled and will never be completed. The development was abandoned, leaving the project permanently unfinished.
- No Second Season Coming (weight 0.27): Reviewers widely believe a second season will not be produced. Poor sales and cancellation make further installments very unlikely.
- Only Two Episodes Released (weight 0.27): Despite being titled Season 1, the game contains only a prologue and two episodes. This short episodic content is frequently noted as incomplete.
- Former Xbox One Kinect Exclusive (weight 0.21): The game was originally an Xbox One exclusive designed for Kinect. It was later ported to PC with almost no advertising.
- Episodic Format Season One Only (weight 0.2): The game follows an episodic format and is labeled Season 1. Only the first season exists in the package.
- Short Game Length (weight 0.13): The game can be completed in about four to five hours. Its short length is a common observation among reviewers.
- Poor Sales on Xbox One (weight 0.13): The game sold poorly on Xbox One, largely due to lack of public relations. This commercial failure led to the cancellation of Season 2.
- Alternative Launcher Required (weight 0.07): The game requires downloading an alternative launcher from PCGamingWiki. Using this launcher makes the game playable.
- Japanese Subtitles Available (weight 0.07): Japanese subtitles are available with bold translation. This language option is noted by some reviewers.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.32): The game is unfinished and abandoned, ending on a cliffhanger with no resolution to its story. The cancellation of Season 2 and lack of closure leave players feeling let down, especially after investing in a short, incomplete experience that will never be completed.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.13): Players enjoy the excellent detective story, unique characters, and engaging mechanics. The strong atmosphere, humor, and soundtrack contribute to a highly entertaining experience that hooks players from start to finish.
- Frustration (weight 0.12): Frustration stems from the game being sold incomplete with no continuation, coupled with poor controls, performance issues, and bugs. The abrupt ending and unresolved story add to the annoyance, as does the need for heavy tinkering to make it playable.
- Sadness (weight 0.07): Sadness arises from the game's unfinished story and abrupt cliffhanger, knowing it will never be completed. The cancellation and lack of future seasons make players feel a sense of loss for the characters and unresolved plot.
- Disappointed (weight 0.06): Disappointment is caused by the game being incomplete and ending on a cliffhanger, with no Season Two in sight. The short length, sparse sound, and missing subtitles further contribute to the letdown.
- Love (weight 0.04): Players love the game's unique style, creative storytelling, and quirky characters. Despite flaws, its personality, humor, and impactful story make it a memorable and enjoyable experience.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Appreciation comes from the game being an underrated gem with a unique, weird, and wonderful narrative. Its originality, extraordinary characters, and stellar voice acting make it stand out in its genre.
- Admiration (weight 0.03): Admiration is driven by the game's unique story, charismatic characters, and surreal script. Its quality, game design, music, and art direction are highly praised, making it one of the best adventure games for some.
- Amusement (weight 0.03): Amusement stems from the game's bizarre characters, strange events, and hilarious QTE situations. The weird and imaginative content, along with its absurd story elements, brings smiles and laughter.
- Regret (weight 0.03): Regret is felt because the game is unfinished and no continuation will be made. Players wish they hadn't bought it, as the story remains incomplete and Season 2 is cancelled.
- Frustrated (weight 0.03): Frustration arises from inconvenient save systems, lack of sequel announcement, and the abrupt ending with no resolution. The game ends at a point where continuation is desired but unlikely due to cancellation.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Enthusiasm is high because the game is awesome in all regards, with a unique story and characters that prompt strong recommendations. Players are eager to see a sequel.
- Hope (weight 0.02): Hope persists for a Season 2 despite the long wait, with players wishing to see the rest of the seasons and believing enough sales could lead to another episode. They would change their review to positive if the game gets finished.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Excitement comes from the game's fun and well-crafted writing, high-quality QTE combat scenes, and the feeling of being a detective exploring the world.
- Impressed (weight 0.02): Impressed by the unique comic-style graphics, detailed surroundings, and excellent music with over twenty tracks that form the essence of the game.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise arises from the game being surprisingly engaging despite initial negative impressions, with an amazing story, setting, characters, mood, and style. Some thought it was a complete game but it wasn't.
- Fun (weight 0.01): Fun is derived from the zany and bizarre game with characters full of life and personality, and the ability to interact with almost anything in the environment, such as flowers, squirrels, newspapers, the cat, and furniture.
- Heartbreak (weight 0.01): Heartbreak is caused by the game being incomplete and likely never finished, with no second season. The unfinished story leaves players emotionally invested but ultimately devastated.
- Intrigue (weight 0.01): Intrigue comes from the interesting detective story that hooks from the first minutes and the game's extreme weirdness and unique blend of influences.
- Engaged (weight 0.01): Engagement is due to the unique story where facts stop adding up, raising questions about David's time travel and the mysterious doctor, making players genuinely invested in the insane world and story.}