REVIEW : Drizzlepath: Deja Vu (PS5)
Memory is a strangely tortuous phenomenon, frequently going in circles. A snake that eats its tail all the time. We have the uncanny ability to believe we’ve seen something before, in another life. Drizzlepath: Deja Vu is a walking simulator in its purest form. There’s nothing else to do but follow the straight path from where the simulator begins to where it ends. Through voice-over, a woman occasionally cites some philosophical musings. The content of these statements did not impress me, but at least the woman spoke in a pleasant tone.
The sights you’ll witness during your simulated one-hour walk are occasionally breathtaking, but not to the point where they’ll hold your attention for an hour. In addition, there is a continual thin layer of fog that, in my opinion, detracts from the images’ impact.
A man sets out on a journey to the summit of a mountain to uncover the truth about himself. He ponders the nature of existence itself along the journey. Drizzlepath: Deja Vu is a spiritual sequel to Tonguç Bodur’s debut game, Drizzlepath. It’s more of a reimagining than a remake and a celebration of the many games he’s developed since.
The so-called “walking simulator” or, as they’re more commonly known, narrative adventures round out an incredibly popular genre. However, many gamers are dissatisfied with the lack of gameplay and originality contained within, citing a lack of value. Nevertheless, I enjoy taking a stroll in a virtual environment.
Drizzlepath takes you through a stunning and enigmatic terrain full of wonder and the surreal. There are colossal statues of archers and what appear to be humans in agony and pain. Abandoned structures dot the terrain, hinting at a world that once existed. A world resident will occasionally appear and shut a door in your face or flee into the distance. Of course, this isn’t a true storey. Text fragments will be activated with a charming voice-over now and then. This could be related to what you just went through or something more abstract about your current state.
This method of storytelling appeals to me since it places the onus on the player to figure out what the game is trying to say. The writing in Drizzlepath: Deja Vu is also good, even though it can feel a little fragmented at points and like it’s following a fortune cookie mentality. But maybe I’m being a little harsh.
The game begins with you being submerged and being ordered to wake up. You emerge from the liquid here before playing the entire game in one sitting. It’s never clear who you are or your purpose, but that doesn’t matter. Instead, you’ll have to take things slowly and deliberately. Although there is a run option, Drizzlepath is often given in a leisurely manner. There is, however, an option to just-auto walk, which means you don’t have to exert any effort if you don’t want to.
In terms of gameplay, that’s pretty much it, and if you’re familiar with walking simulator games, you’ll know what to anticipate. It’s from Tonguç Bodur, and their most recent game, Lucid Cycle, defied convention by incorporating puzzle components to offer diversity to the gameplay.
Drizzlepath’s gaming world is stunning at moments, with long-distance skylines and stunning natural drops. However, the game also combines the genuine and the bizarre, with some of the environments becoming surreal, if not downright terrifying. Nevertheless, it’s still a fun place to spend some time, and Bodur is beginning to establish a reputation for these games. I admire the world-building and the journey they want the player to take through their imagination.
The soundtrack is decent at times, with some nice ambient moods to accompany your journey throughout the world. However, there are times when it cuts off and becomes silent. However, it also doesn’t always feel dedicated to the game’s actions. Now and then, the voice-over that comes with the random text breaks up that atmosphere; it’s wonderful, but it doesn’t take away from the sensation that you’re just listening to a meditation tape.
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