D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die

D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die is an unforgettably bizarre adventure. On the surface, it's a typical hard-boiled detective story, but underneath it's a surreal trip through one man's psyche. David has the ability to travel through time and space, so the action jumps between the present and the past. The present involves piecing together events leading up to David's wife's murder and hanging out with his gluttonous ex-partner and a strange, free-loading girl who thinks she's a cat. Although the present contains plenty of pointless (albeit entertaining) moments, the past focuses strictly on David's investigation. You search for evidence and interview passengers/potential suspects (there are many eccentric, even grotesque, personalities). Things get downright David Lynchian here, full of twisted nightmare logic. It's both exciting and unsettling.

Unfortunately, the experience is diluted by a clunky control scheme. Everything is done by moving a pointer over on-screen icons, which is slightly less cumbersome with a controller. Other problems are the game's wooden characters and episodic nature. The former you can get used to; the latter just isn't fair, because it means the game ends right when it's really getting interesting. Despite these flaws, D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die is well worth your time and money. It offers an absorbing story, interesting ideas and varied, compelling gameplay. Its stylistic approach could make playing it a “love it or hate it” kind of prospect, but if you keep an open mind, you're in for a good -- or at least thought-provoking -- time.