POSTED 30/9/13


LONE SURVIVOR: THE DIRECTOR'S CUT

Curve Studios
Vita/PSN + PS3/PSN

OK David Lynch, put down that C64... Now back away. Further... Further... Rehtruf... Rehtruf...

Why? Because your work is done, it doesn’t need another stroke! It’s Lone Survivor: The DIrector's Cut. It’s all 8-bitty and scanline-looking. It’s all classic-early-days-of-graphic-adventures-looking and playing. It’s also kinda horroriffic and really fucking weird. Oh yeah, it’s pretty ace, too.

If any of the words “8-bitty”, “scanline”, “graphic adventure” or “horroriffic” put you off then, well, you’ve probably naffed off already so we’re wasting precious words – and words are all we have, to take your... Oops, sorry. Random Bee Gees moment. They happen.

Seemingly random moments also happen in LS. You start off all weirdo curtains and box-headed bloke pushing coffee, before awakening alone in your apartment. Well, more or less. Yes, it’s the average flat-dwellers dream – no pissant neighbours slamming doors and cranking sub-wub-wub-wub-woofers at all hours. Still, even that’s preferable to meatbag zombie goon creatures shambling about the joint. Oh wait, that’s just our landlord... Anyway, your mission? Don’t die alone.

On top of your typical explore various rooms, face locked doors, explore more, pick up stuff, discover keys, unlock doors, proceed further kinda deal – with added twisted surreality - you must maintain certain basic human elements. Cooking, eating and sleeping are handy if you wish to get anywhere. Naturally the latter involves dreams, which depending upon assorted pill-poppage can trigger more of that surreality we mentioned. Being nice to fluffy cats can also prove beneficial.

Choices matter, and there are several endings that’ll vary depending upon your approach to dealing with adversaries and ensuring that there’s nothing wrong with your state of mental health.

Captivating, atmospheric, frustrating and mind-fucking, not everybody will click with Lone Survivor. But those who get it will find it’s like damn fine coffee. Which, of course, is brewable in-game...

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