Nobody Wants to Die - Before You Buy

Summary

In this episode of "Before You Buy," Jake dives into *Nobody Wants to Die*, a visually striking narrative adventure from Polish developer Critical Hit Games. Set in a retro-futuristic, noir-inspired New York, players investigate complex crime scenes using a reconstruction tool, piecing together clues to uncover the story. While the game's investigations are straightforward and handhold the player, the world-building, art direction, and film noir atmosphere shine. The plot explores the consequences of eternal life through body auctions, blending sci-fi and noir. At around six hours, it's more of an audiovisual experience than a gameplay-heavy title, appealing to fans of story-driven adventures.

Takeaways

• 🎮 'Nobody Wants to Die' is a narrative-driven first-person adventure game by Critical Hit Games, focusing on story and exploration rather than action.
• 🖼️ The game features stunning, Art Deco-inspired retro-futuristic visuals, with meticulous attention to detail in environments and crime scenes.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Core gameplay revolves around investigating crime scenes using a reconstruction tool to scan, analyze, and piece together events.
• 🛠️ Investigation mechanics are simple and heavily guided, with minimal interactivity beyond following prompts and scanning highlighted clues.
• 📜 The story is set in a dystopian world where Ichorite allows consciousness transfer for eternal life, but at financial and social costs.
• 🎭 The protagonist is a down-on-his-luck detective uncovering conspiracies, with engaging noir-style narration and main character voice acting.
• 💡 Choices in gameplay can slightly affect relationships and story outcomes, though they do not drastically alter the plot.
• ⏱️ The game is relatively short, around 5–6 hours, with a limited number of crime scenes but each is visually elaborate and compelling.
• 💻 Technical performance is solid on both high-end and mid-range PCs, with shader caching reducing slowdowns and occasional minor stuttering.
• 🎵 Overall, the game excels as an audiovisual experience with great art direction, jazzy noir music, and immersive worldbuilding, appealing to fans of walking simulators and story-driven games.

Q & A

What is the main genre of 'Nobody Wants to Die'?

'Nobody Wants to Die' is primarily a narrative adventure game with first-person exploration and investigative elements. It focuses on storytelling rather than action or combat.

Who developed 'Nobody Wants to Die' and where are they from?

The game was developed by Critical Hit Games, a small indie studio based in Poland.

What makes the game's visuals stand out according to the review?

The visuals are highly detailed and inspired by Art Deco, featuring a retro-futuristic city full of intricate environments, baroque crime scenes, and unique design touches that make exploration visually rewarding.

How does the game's crime scene investigation mechanic work?

Players use a tool called the reconstruction to scan and reconstruct crime scenes in real time, finding clues to piece together the when, why, and how of each crime. The mechanic involves scanning bodies, using X-ray or UV devices, and interacting with glowing clues in sequence.

What is the core premise of the game's story?

The story is set in a retro-futuristic New York where a substance called Ichorite allows people to transfer their consciousness to new bodies, granting eternal life. However, this comes with financial burdens, social inequality, and mandatory body auctions, creating a dystopian setting.

Does player choice affect the game, and if so, how?

Yes, choices can affect the fate of main characters, dialogue options, and relationships, though they do not drastically change the story. Key choices can influence outcomes and unlock additional options during investigations.

What are some examples of unique world-building elements mentioned in the review?

Examples include a shared toilet on an elevator, aromatherapy to synchronize new bodies, hover cars resembling Model T vehicles, and people still using pneumatic tubes for messaging in a futuristic city.

How does the review describe the game's investigative gameplay?

The investigations are described as simple and handhold-heavy, primarily guiding players from clue to clue without offering complex puzzle-solving. While visually engaging, the gameplay mechanics lack depth.

What is the overall length and pacing of the game?

The game is relatively short, around 5–6 hours, but it maintains a fast-paced, engaging story with forward momentum that keeps the player moving from one revelation to the next.

Who would most likely enjoy 'Nobody Wants to Die' according to the review?

Players who enjoy narrative-driven, exploration-focused games like 'Firewatch' or 'What Remains of Edith Finch' will appreciate it, as it emphasizes story, visuals, and atmosphere over challenging gameplay.

How is the voice acting in the game described?

The main characters have strong, natural voice acting that enhances the story, while some secondary characters have more forced or less convincing performances.

What are the pros and cons highlighted in the review?

Pros include stunning visuals, immersive world-building, engaging story, jazzy film noir music, and strong main character voice acting. Cons include simple, linear investigation mechanics, short game length, and less polished secondary voice acting.

What makes the game feel like a 'tech demo' according to the reviewers?

The combination of outstanding graphics and art direction with very basic gameplay mechanics makes the game feel more like an audiovisual showcase or tech demo rather than a deep, challenging interactive experience.