Defining Dystopia
A tale of two seemingly unrelated characters in a retrofied sci-fi world, Gemini Rue's take on dystopia transcends expectations.
I can't even recall how exactly I stumbled upon this game, the style and genre aren't themes that I usually delve too deep into. I haven't played a ton of point and click adventure games either, and certainly none of the classics. So, looking at this game from a distance I really didn't know what to expect; I thought the retro art style was neat, it reminded me a bit of Mass Effect. In the end though, it wasn't the gameplay or the art that defined the experience for me, it was the incredible story that blew me away.
Throughout the game you play as two characters, one Azriel Odin, an ex-assassin turned cop searching frantically for his brother in a city governed by the Boryokudan a criminal organization with their hooks into every aspect of the corrupt city. The other character is simply known as Delta-Six, a prisoner in a mysterious prison. All we know initially about Delta-Six is that he previously attempted to escape his confinement, and subsequently had his memory forcibly erased. As the game progresses, further backstory of the two characters is revealed, and their past, present, and futures unfold before the players very eyes.
Gemini Rue isn't without its flaws though. The game is fully voice acted, something that can't be said for most independent titles. Unfortunately, much of the voice acting is sub-par and not exactly fitting for the world Gemini Rue is trying to create. The shoddy voice acting detracts from that aesthetic a bit. Luckily, the two main characters, whose voices we hear most often, are well done, Odin's being the best, and quite apt for his persona. The puzzley moments aren't particularly great, but it's a point and click game, so what can you really expect? The music is excellent though and really evocative of the atmosphere the game is trying to present. But, what made me truly fall in love with the game is the way the story unraveled, and the masterful delivery of the plot twist at the end that is worth sticking around for even if you don't enjoy this style of game. (The game only clocks in around 5 hours)
I can't recommend the Gemini Rue enough, not just for fans of point and click games, but really anyone. In a year of countless brilliant games, Gemini Rue is certainly among those, and shouldn't be lost in the shuffle.
