Deadly Premonition Origins
- September 5, 2019
- TOYBOX Inc.
I’ve played Deadly Premonition more times than I can care to remember.
In "Deadly Premonition Origins," FBI agent York and his friend Zach investigate a serial murder in the picturesque, isolated town of Greenvale. Players uncover the truth by interacting with townspeople, exploring the natural environment, and delving into the supernatural. As the mystery unfolds, a haunting bond with Greenvale makes parting difficult, leading to a rich, immersive experience full of surprises.
Nintendo Switch
Reviews
- Deadly Premonition Origins is a cult classic that combines survival horror with quirky humor and a compelling story, making it a unique experience.
- The game features a rich open world and memorable characters, with a narrative that keeps players engaged despite its technical flaws.
- The port runs better than the previous PC version, and the survival elements, such as maintaining hygiene and managing vehicle fuel, add depth to the gameplay.
- The game suffers from poor frame rates and jarring controls, particularly during driving sections, which can detract from the overall experience.
- Some players find the combat basic and unexciting, with certain gameplay mechanics feeling cumbersome and outdated.
- The absence of higher difficulty settings from the original release and the lack of polish in the port may disappoint fans of the original game.
- story14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The story follows FBI investigator Francis York Morgan, who navigates a murder mystery in the supernatural town of Greenvale, aided by a voice in his head named Zach. The narrative blends quirky humor with dark themes, revealing a plot involving a demon and a gas that incites chaos among the townspeople, leading to a haunting atmosphere. While opinions on the storytelling delivery vary, many agree that the engaging plot and unique character dynamics are the game's standout features, often overshadowing its gameplay mechanics.
“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 posing as a U.S. 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. York 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.”
“Combat is nothing to write home about, and the controls will take some getting used to, but the story is masterfully told. Greenvale is one of the best open worlds in the medium, and the commitment to realism makes the mysterious serial killings at the center of the plot stand out all the more viscerally.”
“The storyline was terrible, so were the controls and gameplay.”
“If anyone likes this game, it's for the story and the charm of the characters.”
“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).”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 36 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Deadly Premonition: Origins" is a mixed experience, with some players enjoying its cult charm and action-horror elements reminiscent of "Resident Evil 4," while others criticize its cumbersome controls and poor frame rate. Although the game offers a fun story and memorable characters, many find the gameplay itself lacking and frustrating, particularly in the Switch port. Overall, it seems that while the game has its fans, the gameplay mechanics leave much to be desired.
“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.”
“The original version for Xbox 360 is probably the best version of the game, both in terms of stability and gameplay difficulty, but having this game on the go is just so much fun.”
“Recently, I rented the Switch version and made it through the first episode again, enjoying another 3 hours of gameplay.”
“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.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highlighted as a standout feature, with a unique and memorable setting that enhances the overall experience. Notably, the boss battles create a surprising and distinct atmosphere that contrasts with the rest of the game, adding to their impact. Overall, the atmosphere is integral to the game's appeal, providing a captivating backdrop for gameplay.
“The setting, atmosphere, and feeling you get 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 happen; they have a completely different atmosphere from the rest of the game and are very memorable.”
“The boss battles are oddly amazing; when I say oddly, I mean misleadingly good. I was taken by surprise when these boss battles happen. They have a completely different atmosphere from the rest of the game and are very memorable.”
“But the setting, atmosphere, and feeling you get while playing this game are what it is all about.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of Japanese horror elements, creating moments that are both amusing and unsettling. Players often find themselves laughing at the absurdity of the situation, though the tone shifts dramatically as the narrative becomes more serious. Overall, the humor is a unique mix of dark comedy and genuine tension.
“You were either laughing at Deadly Premonition or laughing with it.”
“It has that Japanese horror feel, so it's a little funny 😆, but stuff gets real very quickly.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Deadly Premonition: Origins" are described as graphically unimpressive yet charming, aligning with the game's off-beat aesthetic. While the visuals are memorable and endearing, the port for the Nintendo Switch has been criticized for sub-par graphical and audio performance, continuing a trend seen in previous versions.
“The writing, jokes, and visuals are all very memorable and endearing.”
“Hidetaka Suehiro's (aka Swery'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.”
- 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 frequent crashes and overall sub-par performance, including issues with graphics, audio, and gameplay. Players are advised to save often due to these instability concerns.
“The optimization in this game allows for smooth gameplay, even during intense action sequences.”
“I appreciate how the developers have focused on optimizing the game for various platforms, ensuring a consistent experience.”
“The game's optimization makes it accessible to a wider audience, allowing players with lower-end systems to enjoy it without major issues.”
“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.”
Critic Reviews
Deadly Premonition Origins (Switch) Review
I have to warn you: I’m very particular about my coffee.
65%Deadly Premonition Origins Review
A shoddy port of an already poorly built game, Deadly Premonition Origins isn't a definitive re-release that fixes its source's many issues - but it's still worth playing in full. Deadly Premonition isn't so bad it's good, it's just a messy product with an ugly coat of paint. Underneath that mess, however, is one of the most passionate and ambitious titles of the 2010s. Combat is nothing to write home about, and the controls will take some getting used to, but the story is masterfully told, Greenvale is one of the best open worlds in the medium, and the commitment to realism makes the mysterious serial killings at the centre of the plot stand out all the more viscerally. Every technical issue is worth the hassle, because no other game offers a world as alive or as charming with as much conceptual depth. Deadly Premonition is nothing short of brilliant.
70%Deadly Premonition Origins Review
Deadly Premonition Origins is chock-full of major issues that in any other series would be reason enough to be cautious of its upcoming sequel. Despite this, the characters and the world of Greenvale are more than enough to make you forgive its fundamental technical flaws, as you can’t help but fall for an absurdly fun narrative and a protagonist that keeps you invested throughout. You may play the game and utterly hate it, but we'd advise you at least give it a chance. It's such a strange and captivating experience that we wager many of you will become lifelong fans regardless of its myriad problems.
70%
Similar Games
