TL;DR
Dive into the bizarre world of Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing In Disguise, a sequel that throws you into interrogating a compromised ex-FBI agent. While the story holds promise and offers intriguing narrative elements, prepare for a truly rough ride. The game is plagued by a painfully slow and repetitive introduction, truly atrocious graphics, questionable voice acting, and frequent, lengthy loading times, especially noticeable on larger screens. Despite some improvements in navigation and objective clarity once you get past the initial hurdles, the overall technical execution is a significant drawback. If you're a die-hard fan of the original or the truly unique (and often strange) narrative, it might be worth a look, but be warned: the price point doesn't quite match the polish. Curious if the story is enough to overcome these major flaws? Read the full review to find out!
The FBI is conducting an interrogation of former agent Francis York Morgan regarding a murder case from 2005. Morgan’s mental state appears compromised, requiring patience to initiate discussion about the aforementioned mysterious murder case. The events that subsequently unfold are largely unexpected.
Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing In Disguise serves as the sequel to Deadly Premonition, originally released in 2010. While I haven’t experienced the first installment, research indicates the presence of the same main character. The game commences with the player controlling another FBI agent assigned to interrogate Morgan. This initial interrogation sequence is protracted and somewhat monotonous, with limited gameplay mechanics. A notable issue arises when navigating stairs, as the character moves forward irrespective of directional input. Approximately thirty minutes are spent repeatedly pressing the “A” button before initiating dialogue with Mr. Morgan.
Subsequently, a Bond-esque introduction sequence unfolds, incorporating elements reminiscent of the spy genre, before gameplay properly commences. Regrettably, the extended button-pressing continues before free movement and engagement with the core gameplay loop are enabled.
As the investigation progresses, the initial frustration stemming from the prolonged introduction diminishes somewhat. However, the graphical presentation remains a significant concern. Displaying the Switch on a 4K TV can exacerbate visual imperfections, leading to a “jagged” or low-resolution appearance. In this instance, the graphics are demonstrably subpar, featuring simplistic and angular textures, coupled with underwhelming animations and questionable voice acting quality.
I recall playing the original Resident Evil on the original Playstation and finding unintentional humor in the stilted dialogue delivery of lines such as “What is this?” and “It’s blood..”. The voice acting in Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing In Disguise, unfortunately, approaches a similar level of quality in certain instances, proving somewhat detrimental to the overall experience.
Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing In Disguise is a Nintendo Switch exclusive, designed for both handheld and docked modes. Consequently, text and other details remain legible in both configurations. The dated graphics appear less problematic on the smaller screen due to inherent resolution limitations. However, the game suffers from frequent and extended loading times, which is unexpected given the relatively simple presentation.
Having addressed the technical shortcomings, the narrative and gameplay mechanics warrant evaluation. While an improvement over the technical aspects, they are not without fault. The game provides adequate navigational guidance, ensuring clarity regarding objectives. The environment clearly indicates points of interaction, further aided by the protagonist’s mental abilities to reveal hidden elements. The storyline exhibits promise, and once the initial technical disappointment subsides, Deadly Premonition 2 offers a degree of intrigue.
In conclusion, expectations for a title released in 2020 are generally higher than what this game delivers. While the narrative possesses merit, a lower price point, typical of indie games (e.g., 150 SEK), would temper the severity of the critique. However, at a price of 500 SEK, a more polished experience beyond the narrative is warranted. Therefore, the rating reflects these reservations.
Review Highlights: Q&A
What are the graphics and visual performance like?
Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing In Disguise features subpar, simplistic, and angular textures alongside underwhelming animations. The graphics look dated and jagged on a 4K TV, though they appear less problematic on the Nintendo Switch's smaller handheld screen.
How does the game play during its opening sections?
The opening interrogation sequence is protracted and monotonous, requiring roughly thirty minutes of repeatedly pressing the A button before dialogue starts. Movement issues also occur on stairs, where the character moves forward regardless of directional input.
How are the narrative and objective systems handled?
The storyline exhibits promise and intrigue once past the initial introduction. The game provides adequate navigational guidance for objectives, clearly indicates interactive environment points, and uses the protagonist's mental abilities to reveal hidden elements.
Are there noticeable technical performance issues besides graphics?
The game suffers from frequent and extended loading times despite its relatively simple visual presentation. Additionally, the voice acting quality is questionable and stilted in certain instances.
