I want to talk about a game I picked up second hand last week. A game my sister and I avidly sat and played all weekend. A game I first chanced upon some years before and after an (admittedly brief) first play, I didn't really get on with too well. It's also a game which actually could have benefitted with a sequel, but never got one.
The game is Konami's Shadow of Memories (or "...Destiny" depending on your version). I was initially intrigued by this title, then the 4/10 it received in Edge after its release put me off (more on that later). However, having played it through (one ending so far), I can safely say I think this is a truly great game.
Admittedly it does have its flaws. Reductively speaking, it could be described as a Shenmue-lite viewed through a Survival Horror lens with a time travel motif tacked on, but (as the cliche goes), that would be missing the point.
Yes, there are little logical inconsistencies, yes there are far too many conveniently 'locked doors' and yes, there is some measure of linearity to be had despite its multiple endings and paths, but it is a truly engrossing game.
The biggest draw for us (my sister and I, that is) was experimenting with it, seeing how we could influence time by our actions. We were also very engrossed in the story, desiring to see it through to its absolute completion (only 3 more endings to go...). The characters are fairly well developed, and you genuinely get to care about some of them.
Its biggest flaw (I found) was its tendency to kill the player unexpectedly. You'd do all you need to do, sit through many lengthy cut scenes only to suddenly drop down dead at the end of it all and be left with no real indication of what just happened. This would result in having to sit through the same lengthy cut scenes again.
All said though, it is a very compelling game and comes highly recommended. Also, Edge's 4/10 seems incredibly harsh and having read through the review, it doesn't even sound like they played it properly (the review had many, many factual inaccuracies and seemed to be picking holes for spite).
So, has anyone else played this? If so, what did you think?
The game is Konami's Shadow of Memories (or "...Destiny" depending on your version). I was initially intrigued by this title, then the 4/10 it received in Edge after its release put me off (more on that later). However, having played it through (one ending so far), I can safely say I think this is a truly great game.
Admittedly it does have its flaws. Reductively speaking, it could be described as a Shenmue-lite viewed through a Survival Horror lens with a time travel motif tacked on, but (as the cliche goes), that would be missing the point.
Yes, there are little logical inconsistencies, yes there are far too many conveniently 'locked doors' and yes, there is some measure of linearity to be had despite its multiple endings and paths, but it is a truly engrossing game.
The biggest draw for us (my sister and I, that is) was experimenting with it, seeing how we could influence time by our actions. We were also very engrossed in the story, desiring to see it through to its absolute completion (only 3 more endings to go...). The characters are fairly well developed, and you genuinely get to care about some of them.
Its biggest flaw (I found) was its tendency to kill the player unexpectedly. You'd do all you need to do, sit through many lengthy cut scenes only to suddenly drop down dead at the end of it all and be left with no real indication of what just happened. This would result in having to sit through the same lengthy cut scenes again.
All said though, it is a very compelling game and comes highly recommended. Also, Edge's 4/10 seems incredibly harsh and having read through the review, it doesn't even sound like they played it properly (the review had many, many factual inaccuracies and seemed to be picking holes for spite).
So, has anyone else played this? If so, what did you think?
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