The interactive adventure game was popularized by games like Telltale's Walking Dead series and Quantic Dream's titles like Heavy Rain and Detroit Become Human. However, the genre has been around for a while in other forms like point-and-click adventure games like Broken Sword and visual novels like Portopia Serial Murder Case, which dates back to 1983. As Dusk Falls implements almost all elements of the interactive adventure genre by being both an interactive drama and a graphic novel.
As Dusk Falls was developed by Interior Night, a studio led by Caroline Marchal, a former designer from Quantic Dream. So, players familiar with that studio's work should know what to expect here. As Dusk Falls is a more approachable title than Quantic's efforts, however, and its grounded characters are far more relatable. It's still a good idea to go into the game with some of these beginner's tips before starting.
7 Change The Settings Before Playing
As Dusk Falls is an accessible game for most players and is far easier to follow than most of Quantic Dream’s efforts. However, it’s still a good idea to play around with the settings before diving into the game. There are a range of accessibility features like Menu Narration, Text to Speech, and subtitles to make things as approachable as possible for players.
One can even adjust the angle of the on-screen text and UI, the speed, and size of the cursor, as well as having a range of multiplayer options to make it easier to communicate with others. There are useful gameplay adaptation features too, such as having discovered hotspots remain on screen.
6 Adjust The QTE Length
One of the most useful gameplay adaptation options in As Dusk Falls is the ability to adjust the Quick Time Event settings. Quick Time Events are on-screen prompts that will affect the outcomes of certain scenarios as well as force quick thinking on certain narrative choices.
One can adjust the length of time that players have to react from 10 seconds to 20 seconds. Allowing oneself to have 20 seconds will take some of the pressure off the decision-making and actionable events, giving players more time to utilize the button-mashing events. However, the game also allows players to turn off the button mashing feature altogether.
5 Carefully Scan The Environment
There will be several occasions where one of the protagonists will need to scan the environment for Hidden Interactions. Several of these interactions can be easily missed.
Furthermore, some objects may need to be interacted with more than once to discover items or move forward with the story. Some interactions are important while others will help give the audience more insight into the character's feelings and personality.
4 Be Ready For The QTEs
As explained above, Quick Time Events happen frequently throughout As Dusk Falls. Even after adjusting the above settings, one still needs to be ready for them as they happen so they can make the actions and decisions they want to while playing.
As the gameplay is so narratively driven it’s easy to forget that players still need to be on their toes when just watching events unfold as if it’s a TV show. However, certain decisions and events need to be acted on with a moment’s notice and a fight or debate can go the wrong way if one isn’t careful.
3 Look Out For Important Choices
As well as Quick Time Events, there are moments where the game will inform the player that they are about to make an important decision. These decisions will have an impact on which direction the branches in the crime drama will take.
When playing the game and watching the story it is quite easy to miss these notifications that appear at the top of the screen. They will usually represent a moment where something significant is going to happen or how the other characters will respond to the protagonist.
2 Explore The Story Tree
Just as it is with other interactive movie games like Detroit: Become Human, As Dusk Falls features an events tree that allows players to have an idea of what the most important choices and events are in the game.
For example, if Vince chooses to take a walk with Jim instead of staying in the motel room with his wife, it will have an impact on the story and take the branch in another direction. Unfortunately, players can't reload the chapter from the Story Tree so they would have to play the entire chapter again to make new choices. Fortunately, it's not a long game, so replaying these sequences isn't too painful.
1 Experience The Game Organically
As a narratively driven adventure game with lots of twists and surprises in store for the player, the best advice one can give when starting As Dusk Falls is to simply play it and enjoy it as it's meant to be played. Far too many gamers get wrapped up in chasing Achievements and Trophies that they forget to enjoy the game.
If a decision made during a conversation means that the player didn’t get the outcome they wanted, then so be it. Just let the events unfold organically as they are meant to. There is no right or wrong way to play As Dusk Falls; just let the story play out as it’s meant to. One can always replay the game to see what effect one’s actions and decisions have on the narrative and outcome.
As Dusk Falls is available now for the PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.