Dead Man's Rest

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 70 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • graphics
Dead Man's Rest Game Cover
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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.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 70 reviews
story28 positive mentions
  • The game features a solid plot with well-developed characters and unique storylines that keep players engaged.
  • The art style is generally appealing, with beautiful character designs and emotional scenes that enhance the storytelling.
  • The game effectively addresses serious themes such as homophobia and anti-indigenous racism, providing a mature and realistic portrayal of its characters and setting.
  • Some players found the backgrounds to be rough and inconsistent, detracting from the overall visual experience.
  • The lack of voice acting and minimal sound effects made the game feel bare bones for some, impacting immersion.
  • There are concerns regarding the representation of the Native American character, Taza, who is perceived as being whitewashed and lacking depth in his storyline.
  • story64 mentions

    The story of "Dead Man's Rest" is praised for its depth and emotional engagement, featuring unique character arcs and a compelling narrative set in a Wild West backdrop that explores themes of love, murder, and societal taboos surrounding homosexuality. Players appreciate the well-developed characters and the ability to experience different perspectives through multiple story routes, although some note that certain scenes can feel emotionally disconnected. Overall, the game is lauded for its heartfelt storytelling and commitment to addressing historical issues, making it a standout visual novel experience.

    • “Dead Man's Rest is a story about a special kind of love, homosexuality, a total taboo in a time where 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, aside from core traits and background elements about the characters.”
    • “Like they put this whole thing together with a legitimate desire to tell a good heartfelt story.”
    • “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.”
  • music36 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed feedback; while many players appreciate its fittingness and ability to create an immersive atmosphere, some have noted a lack of transitions between pieces, leading to a disjointed experience. Overall, the soundtrack is praised for enhancing the game's emotional depth and complementing its art and writing, with specific commendation for its western influences. Despite minor criticisms regarding the absence of an original OST, the music is generally regarded as beautiful and integral to the game's appeal.

    • “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 have always enjoyed westerns for the music over anything else and the fantastic score definitely sets the scenes wonderfully.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics12 mentions

    The graphics are generally praised for their pleasant art style, beautiful character designs, and impressive CG artwork, which contribute to the game's charm. However, some users noted inconsistencies in the sprite art and a lack of an original soundtrack, which slightly detracts from the overall visual experience. Despite these minor complaints, the artwork is considered good and enhances the game's appeal.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “As dry as the deserts in some of the background artwork.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional10 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartfelt storytelling and engaging character development, with many scenes resonating deeply with players. While some moments may feel disconnected, the overall narrative is praised for its touching and sincere approach, leaving players wanting more from the writers. The combination of great art and emotional depth contributes to a compelling experience that resonates with adult audiences.

    • “The writers are awesome, and I wish they would make plenty of other touching novels like that, because that's definitely what I want to read as an adult.”
    • “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.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its clever and heartfelt writing, which is complemented by fitting music and a charming user interface. Players can expect a delightful blend of wit and warmth that enhances the overall experience.

    • “The music is fitting, the UI is simple but charming, and the writing has a lot of heart and humor.”
    • “Also prepare for some hilarious language.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive quality, enhanced by beautiful art and evocative music that together create a captivating experience.

    • “The music adds to create an immersive atmosphere, and the art is beautiful.”
  • gameplay2 mentions

    The gameplay is noted for its surprising level of challenge, complemented by good music and writing, which enhances the overall experience.

    • “Good music, good writing, and surprisingly challenging gameplay.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
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Negative mentions (%)Negative

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