A personal favorite got a sequel no one thought was coming. Deadly Premonition 2 A Blessing in Disguise created by ToyBox White Owls and Swery, returns us to the world of Francis York Morgan. The first game came out of nowhere and is still a treat to play or to watch. When this game was announced, I was shocked and a little nervous. The funhouse might not be as good once you have gone through it. Thankfully, the team has not missed a step.
Aaliyah Davis has a mystery to solve. The only person who can help her is retired agent Francis Morgan. Morgan, years removed from his adventures in Greenvale, relates his experiences in the town Le Carré 15 years prior. This is set before the first game. He is still talking to Zach and trying to find out about the murder of a young women. Past and present collide as York and Davis must piece together what happened and solve the mystery.
I can not state this strongly enough: you need to have played the first game before diving into this. The game expects you to know who people are without an introduction. As York , you walk around the town, talking to people and collecting evidence. You can pick up side quests while also making sure to sleep and eat food. You will sometimes be dragged into a the Other World, where you face off with monsters. That’s just a side note, the game is up who you meet and interact in this strange town.
Much like the first game, Deadly Premonition 2 is an acquired taste. This does not mean that you are dumb if you don’t like it. It just means it is not your cup of coffee. If you are on the fence, ask yourself this question: Does the idea of an FBI agent getting around the city on a skateboard while talking about movies make you curious? If the answer is “yes” or a “no way, what happens next”, this is the game for you.
The frame rate is not great. Think less then 60 fps. There is a patch that might be coming to fix it, but that is almost secondary. The story has always been the main selling point for me, so I am not that concerned with sub par graphics. Besides, who has time to complain when you see alligators walking around and you wonder if you are going to fight them? (Spoiler alert: you do.)
Deadly Premonition 2 is a rare surprise in the gaming world. The sequel that came out of nowhere, but the fans are happy it is here. Look past the graphical issues and you will discover a game you will tell others to play. Anything that puts me back in the world of Agent York is always welcome. Isn’t that right, Zach?
9/10
Available on Switch.