Dark Alley – on pc and console
A missing detective, a trip to Japan and a city full of people who seem rather reluctant to talk. That’s the starting point for Dark Alley, a new cinematic detective adventure from CheesecakeGames and JanduSoft, now available on Xbox Series X|S, PC and PlayStation for £10.49 on the Xbox Store.
Players take on the role of British Detective Thomas Bennett, dispatched to Kyoto in 2012 to investigate the disappearance of fellow detective Edward Hale. It sounds like a fairly routine assignment, at least on paper. But the deeper Bennett digs, the more obvious it becomes that Hale’s disappearance is connected to something much bigger.
At A Glance
Game: Dark Alley
Developer: CheesecakeGames
Publisher: JanduSoft
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Steam, PlayStation
Price: £10.49 (Xbox Store)
Genre: Cinematic detective adventure
A Case That Refuses To Stay Simple
Kyoto is more than just a backdrop for Bennett’s investigation. The city provides a varied collection of locations to explore, from the lantern-lit streets of Gion and the busy Nishiki Market to quiet temples, bamboo forests, hidden clubs and traditional ryokans.
There’s a strong sense of contrast in that selection. One moment Bennett might be wandering somewhere peaceful, the next he’s stepping into a far less welcoming corner of the city. The Yakuza are certainly part of the picture, but Dark Alley makes it clear that the first obvious suspect or lead is unlikely to tell the whole story.
Dark Alley puts observation ahead of action. Rather than relying on complicated investigation systems, players will examine objects, question witnesses, take notes and revisit evidence as the mystery develops. Environmental puzzles also play a part, with progress coming through exploration and conversations rather than simply following a marker from one location to the next.
Who Can Bennett Trust?
The people Bennett encounters have their own motivations, and working out who is telling the truth will be an important part of the investigation. Forming alliances could prove useful, but trust is hardly something to hand out freely when the case keeps leading into increasingly dangerous territory.
Bennett himself has a particular approach to detective work. He’s not the sort to kick down a door and demand answers. He prefers to watch, listen and ask the questions that make people uncomfortable. It’s a fitting approach for a mystery that promises to reward players who pay attention to the little details.
A Complete Mystery In One Adventure
CheesecakeGames describes Dark Alley as a self-contained story, carefully paced to deliver a complete investigation from beginning to end. That should appeal to players looking for a focused narrative experience rather than an enormous detective game packed with systems and side activities.
With its Kyoto setting, missing-person mystery and emphasis on careful observation, Dark Alley looks to offer a different sort of detective adventure. Thomas Bennett may have travelled to Japan expecting a straightforward assignment, but there’s little chance of him getting an easy ride home.
You’ll find Dark Alley on the Xbox Store for Xbox and PC. It’s on the PlayStation Store and Steam too.
AloJapan.com