Dahlia View

About

"Conway: Disappearance at Dahlia View" is a first-person detective game set in 1950s England. As retired detective Robert Conway, players investigate the sudden disappearance of a local child and uncover a series of suspicious activities in the quiet town of Dahlia View. Through observing neighborhood activities, solving puzzles, and engaging in conversations, players help Conway unravel the mystery and reveal the dark secrets hidden beneath the surface.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 186 reviews

story73 positive mentions

stability17 negative mentions

Intriguing plot and well-crafted storytelling that keeps players engaged throughout the game.
Distinctive visual style and excellent voice acting enhance the overall experience.
Challenging yet enjoyable puzzles that contribute to the detective gameplay.

Controls can be clunky and frustrating, particularly due to the fixed camera angles and character movement.
The game is linear, with little room for player choice or exploration, which may disappoint some players.
Encountered bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including issues with item visibility and navigation.

story
184 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
55%
5%
The story of "Conway: Disappearance at Dahlia View" is generally praised for its intriguing plot, strong character development, and excellent voice acting, drawing comparisons to classic detective narratives like Hitchcock's "Rear Window." While many players found the storytelling engaging and immersive, some criticized it for being predictable and linear, with a few plot twists that felt unearned or contrived. Overall, the game is recommended for those who prioritize narrative over gameplay mechanics, despite some technical flaws and pacing issues.
- “The story is incredibly well written and if I could wipe my memory and play it again, I absolutely would!”
- “This is an excellent mystery game, with a story reminiscent of 'Rear Window' and other restricted-access whodunits, with a wheelchair-bound detective obsessed with a case emerging just outside his flat.”
- “The story has plenty of mystery and intrigue to keep you involved.”
- “The story is actually a bunch of clichés; there's nothing original to it, and I must say I was disappointed watching the final scenes.”
- “The story gives the illusion of complexity when there is none, or maybe the writers couldn't find a way to close all the interrogations that the game opens in a way that they really have some weight and relevance.”
- “The entire story seems to be shoving it in your face that all the things he 'found' end up being nothing (or just unrelated), and the real answer to the mystery is something much more mundane which I'm sure will be revealed at the end.”
gameplay
67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
61%
9%
The gameplay of "Conway: Disappearance at Dahlia View" is characterized by a mix of intriguing mechanics and linear progression, often drawing comparisons to Telltale games with its focus on storytelling over traditional gameplay. While some players appreciate the clever puzzle design and unique movement mechanics, others criticize the clunky controls, lack of exploration, and tediousness due to long dialogues and limited interactivity. Overall, the game offers a solid narrative experience but may frustrate those seeking more dynamic gameplay elements.
- “The gameplay is fine - it is mostly a traditional adventure game, but this is okay; the assembly of proofs is surprisingly clever and sometimes difficult.”
- “Conway's disappearance at Dahlia View is a well-crafted adventure mystery thriller investigation game that allows the player to feel like an investigator with the synergy of its different gameplay mechanics while interweaving these same mechanics with a story full of intrigue that keeps you engaged and immersed from beginning to end.”
- “It's got great puzzles, a well-narrated story, and some fun gameplay mechanics.”
- “Gameplay is somewhere between the Frogwares Sherlock Holmes games and the Telltale graphic adventures, and leans into the frailty and two-dimensional limited mobility of the protagonist.”
- “It's nothing groundbreaking in terms of gameplay and doesn't especially make you feel like a detective.”
- “Gameplay was a bit too linear and didn't allow exploration when I didn't suspect the characters the game wanted me to investigate first.”
graphics
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
42%
8%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their unique and charming art style, which effectively contributes to the atmospheric experience. While some users noted issues with certain 3D models and lighting, the overall aesthetic is described as visually pleasing, with a blend of comic book and watercolor influences. Many reviewers emphasize that, despite the graphics not being the primary focus, they complement the engaging story and solid voice acting well.
- “It's got a charming art style that is well executed, and the game is really atmospheric.”
- “A great mystery game with a beautiful art style, excellent voice acting, and dark atmosphere.”
- “The good: it is a beautifully put together game with detailed visuals, a 3D environment, solid voice acting, and a quality soundtrack of ambient noise that backs up the story.”
- “The graphics were stylistic, but the 3D models had a problem I have seen before where the tongues and the teeth are over-lit, so when they talked, the bright white teeth and pink tongue looked odd.”
- “I am really liking the story, the graphics are so-so but people buy these types of games for story and not graphics.”
- “This is not a game about graphics, despite them being overall stylistically pretty and consistent.”
stability
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
94%
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report solid performance with no significant crashes or frame rate drops, several have encountered camera glitches and minor bugs that can disrupt gameplay. Most issues seem to stem from earlier versions, which have been largely addressed through patches, but some players still experience occasional character movement problems requiring reloads. Despite these glitches, many users find them manageable and not game-breaking, indicating a generally stable experience.
- “The performance was rock solid, with no FPS dips, no crashes, and aside from the wonky physics, no glitches or bugs that inhibit progress or gameplay.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any interruptions, providing a stable experience that keeps you immersed.”
- “I experienced consistent performance throughout my playtime, which made for a seamless gaming experience.”
- “The problem is the camera glitches into stuck positions where you cannot actually see your character, and you cannot fix this unless you are able to finagle your way out of one room and into another to 'reset' the camera.”
- “I'd give it about a 6/10 due to some glitches with perspective (I got stuck in a room off camera, by accident and could not maneuver out) and feeling like the game was a bit too linear.”
- “Occasional glitches with game mechanics (character stuck where movement is impossible) - requiring a 'reload last (auto)save'.”
atmosphere
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
8%
23%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its charming art style, gripping tension, and haunting elements, creating an immersive experience that enhances the narrative. Players appreciate the slow pacing and the effective use of sound and visuals to build suspense, making it a compelling choice for fans of atmospheric storytelling. Despite some flaws, the overall ambiance and execution contribute significantly to the game's appeal.
- “It's got a charming art style that is well executed, and the game is really atmospheric.”
- “Wonderful game, the atmosphere and the soundtrack really builds tension and gets you to question everyone's motives and who the perpetrator might have been.”
- “The atmosphere is gripping and chilling, and the style is haunting.”
- “The setting, the atmosphere, and the whole look/feel of the game was great.”
- “[Interesting mechanics, decent detective story, Agatha Christie-like visuals and atmosphere].”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
20%
30%
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and complement the action without being distracting. Reviewers note the high production quality of the soundtrack, which effectively builds tension and immerses players in the experience. Overall, the combination of music, sound, and visuals creates a captivating and engaging environment.
- “The music fits wonderfully and always accompanies the action appropriately.”
- “The background ambiance is spot on and the music plays gently, creating a mood without being distracting.”
- “Wonderful game, the atmosphere and the soundtrack really build tension and get you to question everyone's motives and who the perpetrator might have been.”
- “The music in the game is forgettable and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “While the visuals are stunning, the music feels repetitive and doesn't enhance the overall experience.”
- “The soundtrack is underwhelming and fails to capture the emotional depth of the game.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, primarily due to the slow and cumbersome controls associated with navigating as a character in a wheelchair. The gameplay, while appreciated for its intent, suffers from repetitive tasks and poorly designed mechanics, such as the lockpicking minigame, which contribute to an overall sense of tedium.
- “Overall, the gameplay is pretty good... but it's also quite tedious, mostly due to the bad controls and camera.”
- “It's tedious at best, needlessly frustrating at worst.”
- “The lockpicking minigame is tedious as well.”
optimization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The optimization of the game is generally praised, with users reporting solid performance, no frame rate drops, and minimal glitches that do not hinder gameplay. However, some players noted issues with physics and suggested that a practice run for certain mechanics would enhance the experience. Overall, the game's technical execution supports its engaging narrative and voice performances.
- “Performance was rock solid, no FPS dips, no crashes, and aside from the wonky physics, no glitches or bugs, nothing that inhibits progress or gameplay.”
- “The story and most of the character's performances are great and suck you right into the mystery.”
- “Wonderful voice performances and a unique art style that had me hooked from the opening scene!”
- “The optimization is lacking, leading to frequent frame rate drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
- “The game suffers from long loading times, which disrupts the overall experience.”
- “Despite the interesting gameplay mechanics, the poor optimization makes it frustrating to enjoy.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
Overall, the game is criticized for its short length, averaging around 11.5 hours, and a lack of replayability, leading some players to recommend purchasing it only at a discount. However, a few users noted that it offers a unique experience within its genre that could encourage replaying, despite the general consensus leaning towards it being overpriced at full price.
- “The game has a fairly lengthy playtime, and even after the mystery has been solved and the game beaten, it is one of the few games of this genre with replay value in my mind.”
- “Even if it only provides around 10 hours of gameplay and no real replay value, I'd say it's still worth getting, and hopefully we'll see more games from the same developers in the future.”
- “It's painfully short; my gameplay time was 11.5 hours to finish the story, which has no replayability. I'm glad that I bought the game on discount because I cannot, in good faith, recommend it at full price, rather at a discount.”
- “Tldr: overall a good polished game but short with no replayability.”
- “If I'm being honest, the short length and lack of replayability means I think it's a tad overpriced at full price, but I'd like to see these guys get the investment for the future.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is highlighted by satisfying and gripping voice acting, alongside fantastic and stylish character designs that resonate with players, suggesting a strong emotional connection and growth throughout the game.
- “The voice acting is satisfying and gripping, as well as the character design.”
- “The character design is fantastic and has a wonderful style.”
- “The character designs grew on me as well.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is noted for its self-deprecating wit, particularly through the malfunctioning steam achievements that playfully highlight mediocrity. Additionally, some players find the character Harold Levy to be a humorous presence, adding to the overall comedic tone of the game.
- “It's funny because the Steam achievements also don't work, so we can all feel like less than adequately mediocre.”
- “I found Harold Levy to be quite a funny personality.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game emotionally engaging, as the intriguing setup fosters excitement and investment in the investigation, while the puzzles strike a balance that keeps frustration at bay.
- “On paper, this sounds like a very interesting setup that should get players excited from the beginning and emotionally invested in the investigation.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game appears to be misaligned with its actual gameplay, as users note that it focuses more on narrative elements rather than deduction, which may lead to disappointment for those expecting a different experience based on its advertising.