As previously noted all over this Web site, I am NOT a fan of adventure games. Adventure in general, like the Zelda series, I love. I can get into those games because I’m encouraged to run around and explore. But what about the “adventure” game genre? The classification of the genre doesn’t make much sense, because all you do is solve puzzles to move the story forward. Furthermore, most of the games in that genre are mysteries. So why not reclassify it as something that reflects that? Well, if you like the genre and need a good mystery to keep you warm during the last few months of winter, Hotel Dusk: Room 215 for the Nintendo DS is the game for you!
Hotel Dusk stars a down-on-his-luck police officer named Kyle Hyde. His best friend Bradley betrayed the NYPD, and Hyde hunted him down and shot him. Bradley’s body fell into the Hudson River, but the body was never recovered. So he left the police department and became a traveling salesman for the Red Crown company, which usually involves him finding items for his father’s friend Ed. For three years, this is going on, and Hyde searches for Bradley. Now, at the end of the 1970s, Hyde has been sent to a place known as Hotel Dusk to find some items. But while he’s there, he discovers a diverse cast of characters — all with something to hide and something that binds them together. Is it fate that brought them together? Or is it just coincidence? That, reader, is for you to decide.
The first thing that assaults your senses as you start the game is its visual art style. The characters are all inked in black and white. And it is awesome! I love it because the developers were able to get a ton of emotion out of it; you always can tell how a character is feeling. The other amazing aspect of the engine that I like is the fact that it is done from a first-person perspective. Technically, it is rather impressive. Creatively, it seems like a little more work could have gone into it, because it falls into the same traps of other adventure games. That is, it does not show every bit of movement on how things are done. For example, Hyde’s picture is shown quickly hanging up a telephone without the full range of motion, unlike Rachel, the secretary of the Red Crown company.
Gameplay wise, this is a very traditional adventure game. But it is a tad different: The DS is held like a book. For right-handed folks like me, the touchscreen is on the right, and the top screen is on the left. The opposite is true for left-handed folks. The touchscreen holds a quick schematic map of the area Hyde is currently in, and movement is accomplished by holding the stylus somewhere on the screen. Thus, on the left screen, you’ll see what Hyde sees as he wanders around the hotel. But more often than naught, you’ll be paying attention to the map because that is where your attention is at the moment. Furthermore, it was rare when I was in a complete fog and had no idea what to do or how to solve a puzzle. For example, there is a midstory puzzle that requires there to be four coins in a row both vertically and horizontally. And you only have six coins.
Controls are wonderfully intuitive. As previously mention, the stylus is used for movement. And you use it to click on anything important. Thankfully, it has a tight click response, so you’ll never be fighting with the system to get an item you want. Items of importance are highlighted for you when you click on them. Thus there are tons of little lines that reflect Hyde’s thoughts on a wide variety of objects, from boxes to furniture in the rooms to wall art. Also, it is important to note that a blank “notebook” is included inside the game. This means that you can take whatever notes you need whenever the inspiration strikes you. That’s right! You can even perform the action during the Q&A period of conversations, though characters will wonder what you have written. But remember, it is your responsibility to record things; the game will not hold your hand by providing you with a summary of what you are currently doing.
Unlike other adventure games, the “game over” scene can occur. This usually happens when you make a serious mistake that ends with Hyde getting kicked out of the hotel or not taking the proper actions during a conversation. The latter kills what is left of Hyde’s self-esteem and has him hiding (pun not really intended) in his hotel room for the rest of the night. Thus, tread lightly in your conversations.
Sound wise, everything is rather decent. All of the appropriate sounds are there: the click of wire cutters, the sounds of a file cabinet being lifted and the sounds of footsteps as Hyde travels around the hotel. Musically, it is rather decent. It will not haunt your dreams, and you won’t feel the need to hum it in your daily travels. Instead, it augments whatever you are currently doing. The upbeat travel music is released as you wander around the hotel; the music becomes more serious during important conversations. And how can I forget the honky-tonk feel when Hyde is inside the bar. Unfortunately, there is no voice acting. On the plus side, we the players get to fill in the audio blanks with our imagination, and we do not have to suffer through bad voice acting. But on the negative side, there is no extra push to help sell the story.
In conclusion, by 2007 standards Hotel Dusk: Room 215 is an A-quality DS title. The intuitive touchscreen usage and technically proficient graphics. But by today’s standards, there have been a fair amount of DS games with voice acting. Ultimately, the game has aged rather well.
Thus, I can easily and quickly recommend this game to anyone interested in it. Fan of mysteries? Adventure titles? Go pick up this game. Granted, it has a slow pace to it, but it is a good kind of slow — the slow that can help you unwind after a long day while sitting on the sofa with a roaring fire next to you. And it is even more enjoyable with a cup of hot chocolate (or tea) right next to you. It has currently been re-released under the “Touch Generation” group and can be found for about $20 at your favorite game store. So what are you waiting for? Go spend the night at Hotel Dusk!
