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[h1]Intro[/h1]
“So, before we get to the review, I want to tell you a little story. There's this visual novel enthusiast I happened across, a classic example of the community at large. You know the type, they insist that the most important aspect of this type of game is the story. No matter what else, the story wins out, right? Yes, thought you'd agree. Anyway, it turns out that a big name developer released a new highly priced, thoroughly generic product, which rehashes the same-old same-old, and features a combination of good, average, and disappointing routes in it. At much the same time, this game came out. I wondered – what do you think this enthusiast did? Buy the “safe” high-priced game from the big-name developer? Or did they be brave and go for the lower priced alternative with overwhelmingly positive reviews? Tell you what, let's make a bet on it. I say they went the safe route, kicking their subsequent disappointment down the road.”
[h1]Story overview[/h1]
Panthea. A city which, on the surface, appears to be a glowing success. A thriving, growing business sector with high employment. A stable leadership with long-term continuity and an apparently high approval rating. A lack of criminal gang wars and comparatively low overall crime. But, strip away that shiny veneer, and underneath you find the exact opposite. Corrupt government, one huge conglomerate dominating the economy, an unchallenged crime syndicate, and a working class populace living too much in fear of reprisals to do or say anything about it.
Into this scenario steps the reader, not playing as a protagonist, but as an outsider keeping up with events as they evolve. This is done via seven different story viewpoints (which, for the purposes of familiarity, we shall henceforth call “routes”). Each of these routes comprises seven chapters, which can be selected in a sequence of choice – limited by the introduction of keys for later chapters (which are handed out freely after completion of earlier chapters, to ensure that the reader doesn't inadvertently hopelessly spoiler themselves along the way).
Upon completion of all 49 separate route chapters, there are a further 3 “final scene” chapters before reaching a conclusion. Dependent upon your reading speed, you should anticipate each chapter occupying your attention for 30-50 minutes. So a skim-reader can reasonably expect 26 hours of narrative, going up to 40 hours plus for those more inclined to thoroughly absorb everything.
[h1]Mechanics[/h1]
Whilst unquestionably a visual novel at its heart, [i]The Divine Deception[/i] brings in different mechanics to the usual, in order to provide player interactivity. The story is fixed, no in-narrative choices to branch what will happen. Instead, we are provided with four different types of mini-games, well constructed to be sympathetic and relevant to the nature of the game.
(1) The hacking puzzle. This is arguably the most challenging of the four, and can best be described with a reference to a free desktop game which used to come packaged with older versions of Windows (perhaps it still does?) If you remember [b]Minesweeper[/b], it's like that. Only more complicated and more challenging.
(2) The action sequence. A series of text descriptions of actions will appear on screen (for example, “Dodge left”) long enough to read and try to remember, before disappearing and being replaced. You will then be asked to select which one you did not see in order to successfully progress. As per the hacking puzzle, this becomes less straightforward as the story develops, with additions such as one action being shown twice being akin to it having not appeared at all.
(3) Logic puzzle 1. You will be required to review evidence previously supplied to create an assertion which draws the correct conclusion. This is achieved by selecting, in the correct sequence, a number of mini-statements from one screen, and coupling them with the appropriate conjunctions from the screen following. So that you finish up processing something along the lines of:
[b]If[/b] Character did this [b]Or[/b] character did that [b]Then[/b] this would have happened.
Again, options increase and become more complicated, the further you progress.
(4) Logic puzzle 2. You will need to work out how to progress past a logical challenge by selecting the correct option from a number of statements which repeatedly cycle around until you choose one. This will involve some thinking about how to resolve the puzzle. Bear in mind that of the four mini-games present, this is the only one that the game does not allow you to skip, so if any of the others have you thinking “no thanks”, then [b]do not worry, you do not have to do them![/b]
[u]The usage of chips in context of the game.[/u]
In between each chapter selection, and sometimes during one, when there is a gameplay element to be explained, you will undergo conversations with a narrator/”dealer”. Upon starting, she will give you 20 “chips”, which are used for betting upon what you think will happen later on in the story, and you will either win more or lose your stake depending upon how that plays out. Additional chips can be won by correctly resolving each mini-game without many failed attempts: so if you like the idea of the story but not the mini-games, it's not a big deal. Just bet very low so that you don't run out of chips. You are [i]bound[/i] to win some every so often. If, on the other hand, this does appeal to you, then go in higher, and at the conclusion of the game, you get the chance to “buy” goodies such as character art with your accrued chips. This is really a very nice, creative concept. There are also the more traditional VN-choices in your exchanges with the dealer, though these are more for entertainment value than anything else; and they do break up the intensity of the narration quite well.
[h1]Graphics, Sound, Quibbles.[/h1]
Sprites are respectable. People actually [i]look like people[/i], which is always a plus in my book. By which I mean, they are properly proportioned, realistic face shapes, etc. Backgrounds are not always present, there is a fair amount of black-screen under the text. Normally I would be less thrilled about such a presentation, but here I am happy to make an exception: the story should be holding your attention enough for that to be where your focus really is. And it DOES.
Where backgrounds are present though, I have to admit to being flummoxed. They have a slightly blurred effect, so whereas they [i]might[/i] be photographs discreetly disguised, it is also possible that they are brilliantly drawn just to give that effect. Care to bet on which?
There are a number of background tunes. I actually disliked a couple of them, which resulted in me muting the music. It's a personal taste thing, but the bottom line is, doing so did not have any negative impact on my experience.
My only real quibble is with the instructions for the mini-games, and ease of access thereof. Once the dealer has explained exactly what to do for each game, you are on your own. Granted, the hacking one does give you the option of a basic review each time you come across it, but that's the only one. You cannot save game at the point of being informed what to do, as there is only one save slot. (Bear in mind, this is not a branching story, so that should not be a terminal decision maker for you.) What this does mean though, to be certain of not getting stuck and frustrated later on; is that when being told how to deal with these games, if you want to do them, [b]you should take notes manually to have something to refer back to.[/b]
[h1]Verdict[/h1]
Please see my comments below for continuation of this review.
