Dead Synchronicity: Tomorrow Comes Today plays out in a post-apocalyptic nightmare. There has been a rift in time that has destabilised the world. It has turned men into savages and has turned civilisation against itself. Armed with nothing, not even your memories, you must navigate through this hell-hole and find out what truly went on.
What could have done this? This is the question on your lips as you play through Dead Synchronicity: Tomorrow Comes Today. No-one knows and this fear has turned the world into a totalitarian nightmare. You are a “blank”, a person with no memory and you must navigate this world in order to find out not only who you are but find out exactly what could of caused this nightmare to okay out on earth. You wake up with a very brief explanation of the refugee camp you are currently in. It is much more akin to a prisoner camp.
Dead Synchronicity‘s story is extremely compelling and fairly well told. Most of the story is told through the eyes of the protagonist Michael. Through his interactions and observations you are told about a world that is interesting and horrific; it doesn’t pull punches. I did find that I had correctly guessed what would happen in certain areas of the game, but this doesn’t mean that I was disappointed. The only possible downside to the story is that it can be overdramatic in its delivery. The main voice actor especially is prone to overstating what is going on, but I personally found this quite charming and enjoyed the way it was presented.
The only way forward through the game is to explore and investigate, utilising every item you come across to solve each problem that presents itself to you. At its core, Dead Synchronicity is a point-and-click adventure, not much different to most other games in its genre. That is to say that you wander from screen to screen, scanning the environment for clues and items of use, then combining and using these items on the relevant hot-spots on the map.
What is unique to Dead Synchronicity: Tomorrow Comes Today however is the specific tone and feel of the game. The art style is simply amazing; it conveys the tone of “The New World” perfectly and gives a distinctive charm to every scene. The visual style reminded me of the old cartoon series Samurai Jack; the game utilises sub-panels and short animated cutscenes in certain areas that make the whole experience extremely tense and dramatic. You know you’re playing a game, but the whole thing leave you feeling like you’re watching a horrific, big-budget cartoon.
If the art sets the scene, then the puzzles that this game presents weave everything together into a stellar gaming experience. My personal take on the puzzles is that of mild frustration – but at myself rather than at the game. Every puzzle seems to be obvious, but only once you have solved it. None of the puzzles had wacky or stupid solutions; everything was logical and made sense within the constraints of the game world. Where I think wacky works with the likes of Monkey Island, this gory land is probably not ready for pun-based solutions. I also never felt uncomfortable using the PS4 controller at any time which is quite unique for a point-and-click adventure.
My only mild frustration comes with the game’s ending. Without giving too much about the story away, as Dead Synchronicity: Tomorrow Comes Today progresses, your character slowly builds up a new ability. Despite being referenced throughout the narrative, the ability is only used in the very last puzzle of the game. I have mixed feelings over the use and establishment of this ability. Firstly, I am annoyed that this was not used more. However, when the game ends shortly afterwards, it leaves us on a cliffhanger; I truly do want to see more and how this game could be pushed further in possible future episodes (especially if it uses this new mechanic). The dilemma I face is whether this makes this feel like the game is cut short or if it is a good ending. The fact that it leaves you wanting more makes me suggest the latter.
Dead Synchronicity: Tomorrow Comes Today has a distinct tone and art style that truly sets it apart from anything else in its genre. Whilst the gameplay itself is largely largely faultless, its the stunning presentation that makes this a must for any point-and-click adventure fan. The only fault is its fairly short running time and the fact that we’re left with unanswered questions. Even if you aren’t a point-and-click adventure fan then Dead Synchronicity: Tomorrow Comes Today is definitely worth a go just for the cut-scenes alone.
