Dead Synchronicity: Tomorrow Comes Today Preview

Dead Synchronicity is a point and click adventure game that was funded on Kickstarter and developed by Fictiorama Studios. It was picked up to be published by Daedalic Entertainment, who know a thing or two about the genre, so that bodes well.

It all begins with an opening sequence depicting the events of what has come to pass, there is no real explanation, we just become aware that something horrendous has taken place leaving the world a broken and dangerous place. The music and distorted voices over it are very reminiscent of Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds and if you are fans of that or Mike Oldfield’s music then this is going to be right up your street. The similarity to the former particularly does wonders to create that dystopian, futuristic atmosphere and by the time you are introduced to the protagonist you should be very much in the mood.

We are then launched into a black screen with silence as we meet Michael, our main character in this journey. A voice begs him to wake up and you will need to find and interact with an oil lamp (still in the pitch black) to be launched into the game.

Upon awaking Michael finds himself in a dirty old caravan in a refugee camp where a family is taking care of him. Of course he has amnesia and no knowledge about the world or his own past. A man enters the room upon his awaking and begins to talk to him. We learn about the Great Wave that has caused all this destruction and a mysterious virus that gives people special gifts but also leads to a horrible death. People with this virus are known as the Dissolved, named due to the fact that when they die they literally dissolve into a pool of blood.

There is no voice acting, so your first conversation and all others are represented by the subtitles on the screen and backed by that same progressive rock soundtrack making everything seem so much more ominous.

Mechanics in the game are very standard for the genre and if you’re familiar with this sort of game then you’ll have no problems getting to grips with how to interact with your environment. The simplicity works well with the 2D environment and if you do get stuck a simple press of the space bar will highlight objects that can be used or looked at.

The art style is wonderful; lots of dirty browns, greys and murky greens and every scene is beautifully done. Exploring these areas is a joy and you’ll notice that the attention to detail is second to none.

The same amount of care has gone into the plot and it’s very easy to get caught up in the things that are happening as you desperately try to learn more about Michael. Things get very dark and there is a real tone of seriousness that you don’t find in many point and clicks.

Dead Synchronicity is still in development but already it’s obvious that this project is something unique and special. Everything so far has been very impressive and I look forward to its release.