Dead Man's Rest
- March 14, 2022
- Gallium Games
Get on SteamIn "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.
Reviews
- The game features a solid plot with engaging characters and unique storylines that keep players invested.
- The art style is generally appealing, with beautiful character designs and emotional scenes that enhance the storytelling.
- The game successfully addresses complex themes such as love, homophobia, and historical context, providing a mature and thoughtful experience.
- The representation of the Native American character is criticized for being poorly researched 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.
- story32 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story of "Dead Man's Rest" is praised for its depth and emotional resonance, featuring unique character arcs and a compelling narrative that explores themes of love, murder, and societal taboos surrounding homosexuality in a historical context. 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 engaging storytelling and thoughtful portrayal of complex issues, making it a standout visual novel in the genre.
“Very good game, characters have a lot of depth, each storyline is unique to play through.”
“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.”
“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.”
- music18 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews; while many players appreciate its ability to create an immersive atmosphere and enhance the storytelling, some feel that the transitions between different musical pieces are lacking. Overall, the soundtrack is praised for its fittingness and beauty, contributing significantly to the game's appeal, despite minor criticisms regarding the lack of an original score.
“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.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally praised for their pleasant art style, beautiful character designs, and charming CGs, though some users note inconsistencies between the sprites and CG artwork. While the overall artwork is well-received, there are minor complaints regarding the mixing of art styles and the absence of an original soundtrack.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative 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 impactful moments, showcasing a genuine desire to convey meaningful experiences.
“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.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by clever and heartfelt writing, complemented by fitting music and a charming user interface, creating a delightful and amusing experience for players.
“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.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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 captivating, drawing you into its world.”
“Every detail contributes to a rich and engaging atmosphere that keeps you hooked.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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.”
