Dead Man's Rest

About

In "Dead Man's Rest," lone bounty hunter Lee "Blackjack" McCarthy seeks vengeance in a Western town plagued by murder and deceit. With five romantic routes and 15 potential endings, players must navigate intense themes like violence, racism, and homophobia. The game features closed captions and adjustable screen effects for accessibility.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 37 reviews

story15 positive mentions

The game features well-written characters with depth, each offering unique storylines that keep the player engaged.
The art style, particularly the character sprites and CGs, is appealing and enhances the emotional impact of the scenes.
The soundtrack complements the Wild West theme effectively, creating an immersive atmosphere throughout the gameplay.

The representation of the Native American character, Taza, is criticized for being stereotypical and lacking authenticity.
Some players found the dialogue to be awkward and clunky due to the repeated use of 'historically accurate' language.
The game lacks voice acting and has minimal sound effects, which can make the experience feel bare-bones.

story
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
50%
8%
The story of "Dead Man's Rest" is praised for its solid plot, depth of characters, and unique storylines that explore themes of love, murder, and societal taboos in a Wild West setting. Players appreciate the emotional engagement and the ability to experience different perspectives through various routes, while the game is noted for its thoughtful handling of historical issues like homophobia and racism. Overall, it is considered a standout visual novel that successfully combines romance with a compelling narrative.
- “Dead Man's Rest is a story about a special kind of love, homosexuality, a total taboo in a time when heterosexuality was the overwhelming factor and you could get jail time for being yourself openly.”
- “The storylines are interesting, and with a very short common route that has more than one path to access the various routes, it makes replaying each route a whole new experience, especially since what is true in one route won't be in another.”
- “This game is absolutely fantastic; the story, the characters, all too easy to fall in love with, and you learn some nice cowboy slang along the way too!”
- “Lacking that, the scenes feel emotionally disconnected as the story moved me around.”
- “So often the story takes a backseat to weird or out of place 'romance' that is handled poorly or turned into something sinister.”
- “I find that many gay romance visual novels are typically directed at straight women, often a fujoshi audience with an unfortunate habit of fetishizing certain uncomfortable elements rather than focusing on the story and portraying gay men in a realistic or decent way.”
music
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
45%
15%
The music in the game is generally praised for its ability to create an immersive atmosphere and complement the overall theme, with many reviewers highlighting the soundtrack as a standout feature. While some noted a lack of transitions between musical pieces and the absence of an original OST, the majority found the music fitting and beautiful, enhancing the experience alongside the game's art and writing. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's charm and emotional impact.
- “The music adds to create an immersive atmosphere and the art is pretty.”
- “What really sets it apart for me, though, is the soundtrack.”
- “I could seriously keep this game open just for the background ambiance/music alone.”
- “The music bothered me too because though each musical piece fit its scene okay, they were pretty different from each other.”
- “There needed to be transitions in the music going between scenes.”
- “My only small complaints would be the lack of an original OST and the fact it mixes art styles between the sprites and the various CGs, but these are minor issues, and the art is generally good anyway.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The graphics in the game feature a pleasant art style with beautiful character designs and charming CGs, though some users note a minimalistic approach to background artwork and inconsistent sprite designs. While the visuals are generally well-received, the mixing of art styles between sprites and CGs has drawn some criticism. Overall, the artwork contributes positively to the game's appeal despite minor inconsistencies.
- “The art style was pleasant and nice to look at!”
- “Amazing characters, very good music/sound choices, great artwork, and fantastic writing.”
- “Though I personally prefer the artwork of Red Embrace, the art here definitely has a charm of its own, especially the CGs which are beautiful.”
- “As dry as the deserts in some of the background artwork.”
- “The background art in this visual novel is on the minimalistic side when it comes to shading.”
- “If I were to complain, I would say that the art style for the sprites feels inconsistent at times, to the point where I would believe that Jed, Hollis, and John were all from different games if I saw them out of context.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the protagonist's internal struggles and the development of complex relationships, which resonate deeply with players. While some scenes may feel disconnected, the overall narrative is praised for its heartfelt storytelling and engaging character arcs, leaving a lasting impact on the audience. The combination of strong writing and evocative art contributes to a touching experience that players find compelling and relatable.
- “Mccarthy is still emotionally tormented but can't help the fact that he has started to develop feelings for another, despite knowing it’s a bad idea.”
- “There's a lot of great art, and some really good emotional scenes.”
- “Like they put this whole thing together with a legitimate desire to tell a good heartfelt story.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by clever and heartfelt writing, complemented by fitting music and a charming user interface, creating an overall delightful experience.
- “Also prepare for some hilarious language.”
- “The music is fitting, the UI is simple but charming, and the writing has a lot of heart and humor.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The atmosphere is enhanced by immersive music and visually appealing art, contributing to an engaging overall experience.
- “The music creates an immersive atmosphere, and the art is stunning.”
- “The game's atmosphere is incredibly engaging, drawing you into its world.”
- “Every detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that lingers long after playing.”
gameplay
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay is noted for its surprising level of challenge, complemented by good music and writing that enhance the overall experience.
- “Good music, good writing, and surprisingly challenging gameplay.”