Deadly Premonition
- February 23, 2010
- Access Games
Possibly one of the more exciting games of 2010, I return to Deadly Premonition some months after its western release to reflect on the game and hopefully debunk the myth that Deadly Premonition is “so bad it's good”
Deadly Premonition is a survival horror/action-adventure game where you play as special agent Francis York Morgan, investigating the brutal murder of a local beauty in the small town of Greenvale. Experience an open-world investigation, complete with locals to meet, places to discover, and side quests, while staying alive amidst supernatural creatures and a murderous killer. Uncover Greenvale's dark secrets and solve the Red Seed Murders in this suspense-filled, mysterious game.
PlayStation
Playstation 3
Xbox
Xbox 360
Reviews
- The game features a unique and engaging story with memorable characters, reminiscent of cult classics like Twin Peaks.
- It successfully combines survival horror elements with quirky humor, creating a distinct atmosphere that appeals to fans of the genre.
- The port runs better than the previous PC version, making it a solid choice for those looking to experience this cult classic on the go.
- The game suffers from technical issues, including frame rate drops and unpolished graphics, which can detract from the overall experience.
- Some gameplay mechanics, such as combat and inventory management, are considered cumbersome and can hinder enjoyment.
- The absence of higher difficulty settings from the original release and the lack of polish in certain areas may disappoint long-time fans.
- gameplay10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Deadly Premonition: Origins" is a mixed experience, with some players enjoying its unique blend of horror and action reminiscent of "Resident Evil 4," while others criticize its cumbersome controls and poor performance, particularly on the Nintendo Switch. While the original Xbox 360 version is praised for its stability and difficulty balance, the Switch port suffers from frame rate issues and frustrating item collection mechanics, leading to a less enjoyable experience overall.
“The original version for Xbox 360 is probably the best version of the game, both stability-wise and gameplay difficulty-wise, but having this game on the go is just so much fun.”
“The actual game Deadly Premonition: Origins itself is a lovable cult horror mystery action game with charming characters, memes galore, and tense action-horror gameplay somewhat similar to Resident Evil 4.”
“Gameplay in Deadly Premonition: Origins is a very mixed bag.”
“The storyline was terrible, so were the controls and gameplay.”
“The gameplay just isn't fun and, even worse, it's cumbersome.”
“Deadly Premonition: Origins, the latest of these ports released on the Nintendo Switch, unfortunately continues this tradition of duplications which present sub-par graphical, audio, and gameplay performance.”
- story9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The story of the game follows FBI investigator Francis York Morgan as he navigates a murder mystery in the small village of Greenvale, which is steeped in supernatural elements and quirky character interactions. Players engage with a narrative that intertwines a serial killer's motives with a demonic influence, leading to a haunting atmosphere filled with oddities like the infamous "sinner sandwich." While opinions on the delivery and gameplay vary, many players appreciate the unique charm and depth of the story, making it a focal point of the experience.
“You play as FBI investigator Francis York Morgan, or 'York', who constantly seeks advice from the man inside his head named 'Zach' during a murder mystery involving a serial killer. What was assumed to be a boring trip to a small village turns into a supernatural thriller with goofy elements here and there, as the characters in the game have very odd personalities. Not to mention the 'sinner sandwich'—yeah, there's that too. The game has several side quests that are completely optional, but unlock several vehicles, weapons, and story elements. The combat is a cross between Resident Evil 4 and Silent Hill from the PS2 days.”
“The game's story is pretty solid. The town of Greenvale was subject to the gas from the film 'The Crazies' by George Romero, which was released by a demon (yes, I know) posing as a U.S. Army NCO. The gas is let loose, and everyone murders each other; their blood spoils the ground to the point that the land is haunted by their enraged spirits. That's pretty much the explanation for the enemies. York, on the other hand, learns that the killer he'd been searching for this entire time happens to be this demon who is also responsible for the existence of Zach inside York's mind (yeah, turns out Zach is real).”
“If anyone likes this game, it's for the story and the charm of the characters.”
“The storyline was terrible, so were the controls and gameplay.”
“The game has a story that makes me wish I could play it.”
“Spoilers ahead: the game's story is pretty solid, the town of Greenvale was subject to the gas from the film The Crazies by George Romero, which was released by a demon (yes, I know) posing as a US Army NCO... the gas is let loose, everyone murders each other, their blood spoils the ground to the point that the land is haunted by their enraged spirits, and that's pretty much the explanation for the enemies. York, on the other hand, learns that the killer he'd been searching for this entire time happens to be this demon who is also responsible for the existence of Zach inside York's mind (yeah, turns out Zach is real).”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Deadly Premonition: Origins" are described as graphically unimpressive yet charming, reflecting the game's off-beat style. While the visuals are memorable and endearing, they fall short of modern standards, leading to a sub-par overall performance in this Nintendo Switch port.
“The writing, jokes, and visuals are all very memorable and endearing.”
“Hidetaka Suehiro's off-beat, graphically unimpressive, and outlandishly charming representation of the equally off-beat and charming cult classic Twin Peaks is truly unique.”
“Deadly Premonition: Origins, the latest of these ports released on the Nintendo Switch, continues the tradition of duplications which present sub-par graphical performance.”
“Deadly Premonition: Origins, the latest of these ports released on the Nintendo Switch, unfortunately continues this tradition of duplications which present sub-par graphical, audio, and gameplay performance.”
“[Laborious combat sections, occasional balancing issues, slightly weak visuals]”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highlighted as a standout feature, particularly during the boss battles, which offer a surprising and memorable contrast to the overall setting. Players emphasize that the immersive atmosphere is central to the game's appeal, enhancing the overall experience.
“The boss battles are surprisingly amazing; they have a completely different atmosphere from the rest of the game and are very memorable.”
“The setting, atmosphere, and feeling you get while playing this game are what it is all about.”
“The boss battles are oddly amazing; when I say oddly, I mean misleadingly good. I was taken by surprise when these boss battles happened. They have a completely different atmosphere from the rest of the game and are very memorable.”
“But the setting, atmosphere, and feeling you get playing this game are what it is all about.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game blends elements of Japanese horror with absurdity, creating moments that are both amusing and unsettling. Players often find themselves laughing at the game's quirks, whether intentionally or unintentionally, as the tone shifts from lighthearted to serious.
“It has that Japanese horror feel - so it's a little funny 😆 but stuff gets real very quickly.”
“You were either laughing at Deadly Premonition or laughing with it.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Deadly Premonition: Origins" on the Nintendo Switch has been criticized for its poor performance, including frequent crashes and sub-par graphical and audio quality, leading players to frequently save their progress to avoid losing data.
“The optimization in this game allows for smooth gameplay, even during intense action sequences.”
“I appreciate how the developers have focused on optimizing the user interface, making it intuitive and responsive.”
“The game runs remarkably well on lower-end hardware, showcasing excellent optimization techniques.”
“You should always be saving since this game can crash due to poor optimization.”
“Deadly Premonition: Origins, the latest of these ports released on the Nintendo Switch, unfortunately continues this tradition of duplications which present sub-par graphical, audio, and gameplay performance.”
