Rainswept

If the last thirty years of watching television has taught me anything, it's that small towns are often hiding big secrets. But what surprised me the most about Rainswept, the debut release from Frostwood Interactive, isn't the compelling small town murder mystery or the shocking conclusion, but rather the character moments. This is a point and click adventure game that explores the roller coaster ride that is the human experience, often delving into some truly uncomfortable territory. In a place like Pineview, everyone knows everyone and nothing is what it seems.

This is the story of what at first appears to be a clear-cut case of murder-suicide in a sleepy little nowhere town. The local police are ready to put this investigation to bed, and the evidence seems overwhelming -- this was a young couple who had a reputation for getting into abusive fights, the gun only had one set of finger prints on it, and everybody with motivation has a rock-solid alibi. But Michael Stone isn't so sure. He's a detective from the big city who suspects there may be more going on than meets the eye.

What at first appears to be a simple murder mystery quickly turns into a character study about broken people and damaged relationships. This is not a funny or upbeat story; there's no happiness here. Michael is a chain-smoking insomniac who is haunted by the memories of his past and cocksure to a fault. He's transplanted into the kind of small, quiet town that hasn't seen this kind of violence in a hundred years, and seeing the darkness of Pineview forces him to confront his own demons.

And then there's the young couple at the center of this murder mystery -- Chris and Diane. We see the relationship sprout and grow through a number of lengthy flashbacks, showing us both the highs and the lows that came with their brief courtship. This story is a large part of Rainswept, and their rocky relationship mirrors Michael's topsy-turvy investigation. The game doesn't sugarcoat things and isn't afraid to make you hate these people. These are flawed characters, and that's what makes this sizable adventure so compelling.

It's probably worth mentioning that this is a point and click adventure game. The emphasis here is on the dialog and collecting clues, so don't go in expecting to pick up dozens of items that you'll use in puzzles. You don't have an inventory and won't be combining items in this game. This is more about interrogating the townspeople and using the clues to crack the case. Along the way you'll be able to affect the people around you and change the way story plays out, similar to what we used to see from Telltale.

Although the story and themes are often depressing, I had a lot of fun exploring Pineview. Most of this comes from interacting with the locals, which introduces us to a fun assortment of colorful characters. This, of course, is the formula for a lot of small-town mysteries, and anybody who watched Agent Cooper track down Laura Palmer's killer will feel right at home here. The soundtrack even hints at Angelo Badalamenti's loungy score, just in case you forgot where you were. There's a gorgeous view of the mountain peak in the distance, and on clear days, you can see both of the peaks. The twin peaks, if you will.

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But forget the obvious nods to cult television, because Rainswept doesn't feel like a rip-off. The story they are telling here is original and unique. It's also an effective murder mystery, which is not something you can say about a lot of video games. The investigation left me guessing all the way up to the very end, and the ending is incredibly satisfying. Best of all, the plot twists feel earned. The story doesn't cheat, so you're able to play along the entire time and possibly even figure out what happened before Detective Stone. That's precisely what you want out of this kind of game, and I was glued to the screen the entire time.

What's interesting is that when I think back at Rainswept, the mystery itself almost feels secondary. Yes, the investigation is what drives this game, but it's the study of these characters that left an impact. And it's not just the whirlwind romance of the young couple, but also what Michael goes through. And when you factor in the townspeople, there ends up being a lot to unpack. I can already tell that this is going to be one of those games I continue to think about for years to come.

It helps that the writing is so strong. This is a confident script that isn't afraid to veer into a number of uncomfortable subjects. Rainswept ends up exploring suicide, abuse, trauma, depression and worse. Like I said, this is not a happy game, but it's also not joyless. The characters are always interesting, and you can see where each and every one of them is coming from. These are not two-dimensional people who are either good or bad, they are complicated and evolving. I wish all games were written this well.

That said, Rainswept has a serious problem with punctuation. Look, this is where my inner copy editor comes out and annoys everybody, but I found myself constantly frustrated by the lack of commas. Will most people notice this problem? Probably not, but I certainly did. Considering how much dialog is in this game, it's a shame that somebody didn't go through and tighten up the punctuation. It's really my one and only complaint with this game, and it feels dumb to even bring up.

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What I probably should be talking about are the striking visuals. Rainswept uses a stylish minimalist look, which allows for some truly gorgeous moments. I do think that some of the walking animations look a little funny from time to time, but it was never enough to break the illusion. The cut scenes are a lot more cinematic than I was expecting, and the town of Pineview is overflowing with personality. Between the writing and the graphics, there are moments in this game I will likely never forget.

Rainswept is a masterclass in creating a great murder mystery. Not only is this an effective crime thriller, but it also works as a deep and involving character study. From the big city detective to the young couple trying to make it work, the players in this drama are a lot more complicated than they first appear. And that's true of this entire game. Rainswept is the best point and click adventure game I've played since Thimbleweed Park.