After the roller coaster ride that was episode three, along with that shocker of an ending, I just had to get into the next episode as soon as possible. Out of all the games that I played this year, and I seriously played a lot, this is by far one of the best ones. Keep reading for my full review of Dark Room.
This episode picks up right where episode three left off. Max goes back in time using a favorite picture of herself and Chloe and changes the past. Seriously, she should know better, but anyway she does it thinking that she’s helping Chloe out. Chloe blames everything that has happened to her due to the fact that her father died because she feels that he left her on purpose when he promised to never leave her. Anyway, in the new future, Chloe’s father is alive, but Chloe’s life is less than perfect and like she has been through the whole game she’s basically dying. Max will once again use that picture to change time to how things were making Chloe back into her old self and this alternate reality gone. Once everything is back to normal its back on the hunt for Rachel Amber. You’ll find out the fate of Rachel Amber this episode and you’ll find out that Chloe loved this girl and not just the I love my friend kind of love, but she was in love with her (as I assumed from the beginning of the game.) Things are revealed during this episode and while it will lead you to believe that there is one and only person to suspect, it’ll turn out to be someone completely different and the episode ends on a cliffhanger.
I know I keep saying that every episode of this game is great, but this one took the cake. It was simply the best episode out of the four so far. Yes it was long, but it didn’t once drag and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I was there with Max as she had celebrated with Chloe in episode three because she had just saved her father and I was there with Max in this episode when she cried letting Chloe’s father die again in order to save Chloe. This episode provided to be a complete tear jerker and emotions ran high in this game. When Chloe discovers what becomes of Rachel Amber I felt her pain and I felt like I suffered with her. Sure I knew it wasn’t going to end well, but there was that small beacon of hope. What I also liked about this episode is how the game purposely misleads you making you think that one person is the bad guy, making me doubt my own suspect, but then completely surprises you in the end.
This episode, like the previous three ran super smooth. There were no awkward movements, no loading time problems, trophies popped when they should, and this error free type of game play just enhanced this episode and the game as a whole. I will mention that at times the Rewind ability gets a little tricky and requires some patience as you might rewind too much or not enough. This is the only thing that I think could be improved upon a little bit. Instead of the little circle on top going back it would have been nicer to have a more controlled way of seeing what you were going back to.
The graphics are the one thing, the one thing, that I have the slightest problem with and it really only has to do with Chloe. Alternate future Chloe looked a lot more lifelike then actual punk rock Chloe who looks more cartoon like. This is seriously the only problem that I have and it’s not a big one. Other than that the graphics are at times stunning especially scenery ones.
Voice Acting: I usually don’t comment on the voice acting in video games, because it’s so common now and most of the times it’s done right so I really don’t feel a need, but I have to give a thumbs up and a thumbs down when it comes to this game. The voice acting from the cast as a whole is simply amazing. Characters match up perfectly and each voice is fitting to each character. The one and only problem I have is with Alyssa. Yes she’s fat, but does she have to have forced fat voice? Anyone who is playing this game can see that she’s fat and not every fat person has fat voice. It was just a little annoyance that I had but other than that the voice acting is phenomenal.
Finish this episode and take all of the optional pictures and you’ll be another 12 trophies closer to the platinum for this game. In this episode the optional picture trophies are super easy this time around if you’re observant and if you use the picture hints in Max’s journal.
As always, no multiplayer for this episode or this game.
Overall I give this episode a 5 out of 5
What’s Great:
+ Gameplay that doesn’t drag and a story that stays interesting throughout the length of the episode.
+ Final conclusion to the whole Rachael Amber story
+ Cliffhanger ending that will make you want to jump right into the fifth and final episode
+ Smooth gameplay that allows you to transition from scene to scene without a problem along with no awkward characters movements.
What’s Not So Great:
– Rewinding time can be a little tricky at times and you can sometimes over rewind or under rewind.
It’s unbelievable how hooked on this game I am. Everything about this game just amazes me and it really is a breath of fresh air compared to other episodic games. The fifth episode promises to be a big one and I’m excited about it. What consequences will come from saving Chloe time after time making her avoid her own fate each time and is it worth it? While this game might not be for everyone, I will say this. If you are tired of the somewhat stale episodic games that are available and are looking for something new then you will not regret giving this game an actual chance.
SPOILERS! Below are my choices from the fourth episode.
Suspect: I’m pretty sure that after that final scene in the game, everyone can tell that Mark Jefferson, although maybe not directly, is the one responsible for Rachel Amber. So a big high five for me because I knew this from the start of the game. It turned out to be the ultra-creepy, I just want to be like one of the students, photography teacher was the one responsible for just about everything. Go me for figuring this out day one!
1 Broke Gamer Girl 