DAYMARE: 1998, by publisher Destructive Creations and developer Invader Studios, is like the B version of Resident Evil, but all the while an enjoyable experience. If you like traversing hugging walls in dark corridors, getting ambushed by zombies, and solving puzzles, then I think this might be the thrill you’re seeking.
The plot seems kind of weird to me, but I will make an attempt to provide a spoiler-free description of the story. Hexacore, a bio-genetics company/research conglomerate sends a special task force to a remote facility because of a contamination. An unknown gas has caused scientists and security personnel to turn into acidic abominations. As fate would have it, unprecedented events lead to the spread of this chemical, reaching the inhabitants of the Northwestern town of Keen Sight. The story has multiple protagonists, each with their own set of motivations and flaws. They also play slightly different. For instance, the Ops characters hold their handguns as you would expect, but Sam holds it with one hand. This might not be a popular opinion, but I really liked playing as Liev. He talks a lot.
I think DAYMARE: 1998 looks great. Playing as Sam in the hospital is a great example of atmospheric horror done right. It may be a little bit of maze, but wandering in the darkness keeps you tense. This also happens when you play as Raven in the sewers. (Yeah, you bet there is a sewer level!) There are some doors that are just there for show, but in some cases the game lets you know you are on the right path. There are secret rooms with loot and a storage box; some of these rooms are less secret than others. There is also a degree of backtracking, but I didn’t feel as annoyed as I normally would. Sure, some of the puzzles are annoying, but they vary in complexity. There are also enemy variations that make things interesting. I was dreading what was around the next corner, and just when I thought the game was done surprising me, it threw a new monster at me.
The controls are great and are easy to learn. You cycle through weapons with the D pad and access your inventory with the back button. The game does something very unique, and I love this mechanic: You load ammo into your magazine instead of the Call Of Duty ammo reload. If you quick reload, you drop the magazine on the floor. (You’re going to want to pick that up) It’s such a realistic approach and adds so much to the gameplay experience. Before most encounters you will want to load your magazines ration your ammo as best as you can.
The voice acting is not as great. It’s so bad, it’s almost comical. I have the subtitles on, and sometimes it is like they’re not even reading from the same script. Or maybe Sam will say something, and I will just laugh. I am not sure how Sam is expected to be presented to the audience, but I would describe him as the most agreeable disagreeable person. Or better yet – Ned Flanders but trying to be intimidating. I was laughing so hard when he first encountered the zombies, because (even though their faces are melted off) he recognizes them and calls them by name. A couple serious moments are ruined by his voice, unfortunately. But if you like hearing your character hurl insults, you’re going to love Liev.
I’m starting up a walkthrough (YouTube Link), if you would like to see the story and the gameplay. Overall, I think I would give DAYMARE: 1998 an 8.5 of 10. It’s not the best story, the characters aren’t very likeable, and the voice acting is subpar, but I’m telling you the gameplay is worth it. I hope other survival horror titles look at this game’s example and use the magazine mechanic in their own projects.
Check Out the DAYMARE: 1998 Trailer:
Both the retail and digital versions of DAYMARE: 1998 have launched in Europe. Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the North American physical launch will be postponed until June 16, 2020. Customers eager to receive their physical copy can already pre-order DAYMARE: 1998 Black Edition.
The collectible DAYMARE: 1998 Black Edition contains a set of character postcards, with images and info about the three main characters, a set of logo stickers, as well as an exclusive set of logo pins at selected retailers only, all contained in a distinctive slipcase.
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I like to think of myself as the average Joe who grew up alongside video games. I have fun playing strategy games, RPGs, shooters, sandboxes, the whole shebang! Every game provides an experience whether it strikes you as profound, mundane, or someplace in between. I'd like to weigh in my two cents before you spend a single penny.
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