Hotel Dusk: Room 215, released in Japan as Wish Room Tenshi no Kioku (ウィッシュルーム 天使の記憶, Wisshu Rūmu Tenshi no Kioku, literally "Wish Room: Angel's Memory"), is a graphic adventure game for the Nintendo DS. Originally announced on October 5, 2005 as Wish Room,[1] the game made its first public appearance on May 9, 2006 at that year's E3 convention.[2] It was released in North America on January 22, 2007, before being released subsequently in other regions. The game supports the Nintendo DS Rumble Pak accessory.
| Hotel Dusk: Room 215 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Cing |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo DS |
| Release | NA January 22, 2007 JP January 25, 2007 AU February 22, 2007 EU April 23, 2007 |
| Genre(s) | Adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
The game takes place in the fictional Hotel Dusk, a small, somewhat rundown hotel located in the southwestern United States near Los Angeles, California during the year 1979. The game's protagonist is Kyle Hyde, a former member of the New York Police Department searching for his old partner, Brian Bradley. During his stay at the hotel, Kyle unravels a mystery shrouded in the hotel's past that may lead him to the answers he's looking for.
Gameplay
The player, as Kyle Hyde, moves around and interacts with the environment using the DS's touch screen and must solve a variety of puzzles using the handheld's various features including the touch screen, microphone, and closable cover. The DS is held rotated 90 degrees from normal, like a book, with an option in the game to allow the player to switch which side the touchpad is on depending on which hand is dominant.
Throughout the game, the player must speak with the various hotel patrons and employees in order to uncover vital information. The player can show the characters items that Kyle has collected, or ask questions that have been brought to Kyle's attention. By asking the right questions, Kyle will uncover the information he needs. If he asks the wrong question, makes a wrong assumption, or shows the wrong item, he may confuse or anger the person. This is usually indicated by a darkening of the character in question. This can result in Kyle being forced to retreat to his room or getting kicked out of the hotel, leaving him unable to solve the mystery.
The game is filled with puzzles. Most of them involve using the touch screen. Movement is made by leading an iconic representation of Kyle around a map of the hotel on the touch screen while a first-person three dimensional view is shown on the other screen. Icons light up where there are people to talk to or objects nearby to examine; in most cases, a scene is automatically activated by passing specific points on the map.
Story
Hotel Dusk: Room 215 is a mystery told in a noir-like manner. Kyle Hyde arrives at the hotel to pick up a package his boss has sent and checks in for the night. The hotel's owner, Dunning, gives him a key to Room 215, or "Wish" -- so named for its apparent ability to grant the wishes of those that stay there. As Kyle wanders the hotel, he runs into several other guests, and finds himself becoming tangled in their problems. However, as a list of coincidences begin to pile up, he starts to realize that Hotel Dusk and its inhabitants may hold the clues he's been searching for that will lead him to Bradley and the truth behind what happened three years ago.
The Past
Several years before the events in the game, Robert Evans (Mila's father) and Dunning were friends at college but went their separate ways; Robert became head of an art gallery, while Dunning wanted to become a professional painter. Both married and each had a daughter, they were tragically reunited after both their wives died in a plane crash. Seeing Dunning on hard times, Evans came up with the idea of creating a long-dead painter, Osterzone, whose works would be highly valued. Dunning agreed to the plan, and painted works to credit as Osterzone portraits while Evans displayed the works in his studio and wrote an account of the fictional Osterzone's life and career. The ruse worked, and Osterzone's works became highly valued, particularly one called "Angel Opening a Door", but as time went on, Dunning began to feel unsatisfied with being a ghost-painter, and wanted to stop painting under the Osterzone name. Unfortunately, Evans' art dealings had attracted the attention of crime syndicates, included one called "Nile". In 1969, Evans bought Hotel Dusk with the intent to use it as a meeting ground with Nile agents, and as a location where Dunning could hole himself away while he continued painting. Dunning refused, and as a result, Nile grabbed his daughter Jenny, who was playing at the time with Robert's daughter Mila, and forced Dunning to continue painting to get her back. Mila, struck by one of the kidnappers, fell into a coma at Robbins Hospital.
Three years later (7 years from the present), Evans had fallen in too deep with the crime syndicate and was forced to abandon his art studio; he also sold Hotel Dusk to Dunning. However, Evans continued to visit Mila at the hospital once a month without fail. Dunning, in the meantime, continued to paint as Osterzone, hoping that Nile would make good on their promise to return Jenny. After a few years, Dunning reopened Hotel Dusk, though only after hiding all evidence of Osterzone and Nile. But as rumors about Jenny being stolen at the hotel began to surface, Hotel Dusk started doing poorly. As a result, Dunning makes up a story about room 215 being able to grant wishes to attract customers.
Three years prior to the present, New York Police Detective and Kyle's partner Brian Bradley was working undercover during an investigation into Nile. During his time undercover, Bradley came across a fellow named Norman, whom he later learned was actually Robert Evans, and discovered the secret of Osterzone, the fate of Jenny, and the "Angel Opening a Door" painting. Bradley's real affiliation was however discovered by Nile, and he was offered a deal: turning on the police, revealing all the information he knew, in exchange for the life of his sister, also named Mila, held hostage by Nile. Bradley elected to turn on the police and stole the painting to return it to Dunning, but in the process, killed Louie's childhood friend, who also desired to steal the painting for some quick cash. Bradley had done his part of the deal, but when he went to check on Mila, he found her dead at the hands of Nile, but more importantly, by Robert Evans. After learning of Bradley's treachery, Kyle confronted him at the docks along the Hudson River and fires a shot at him. Bradley falls into the river and disappears, and Kyle's superiors presumed that he had been killed.
However, Bradley survived, and six months prior to the present, found his way to Hotel Dusk and returned the painting to Dunning, explaining that Jenny is likely dead. Bradley, knowing that Kyle would likely follow him, also dropped several clues around the hotel, such as checking in under Kyle's name and leaving items to be found later. After his stay, Bradley, knowing that Evans is due to visit Mila at the hospital, goes to visit her, as she reminds him of his own younger sister who shared the name Mila and had been killed by Evans. When Evans arrives, Bradley kills him to avenge the plights of Dunning, Jenny, and Mila. Shortly after this, Mila comes out of her coma, unable to speak. She knows she wants to find her dad, but her only clue is an old Hotel Dusk pamphlet. She makes it to Hotel Dusk the same day as Kyle thanks to a ride from Jeff Damon, who saw the hotel pamphlet and used that as a guide.
Louie, after his friend's death, abandoned his life of crime and came to the west coast, ending up as an employee for Hotel Dusk.
Kyle, leaving the force after he shot Bradley, became a salesmen under Ed Vincent and the Red Crown company, but this was a front for him to find items that people didn't want to be found and to recover them. Kyle is directed to Hotel Dusk to retrieve two items, which later are determined to have been left, and requested, by Bradley. Kyle discovers the numerous coincidences in the events and learns the history of Dunning, Mila, and Hotel Dusk, and finds that he's not so far off the trail of Bradley, who is now on the run from both the law and Nile.
The Present
On the fateful night that Kyle spends at Hotel Dusk, he begins to find the secrets of Dunning and the other guests of the hotel. Following a trail of paintings with Jenny's name hidden on them, he's led to a special guest room on the first floor along with Mila and Louie. Mila faints as the memory of this room hits her: this is where she saw Jenny abducted by the Nile gang. When she recovers, she is able to speak, but before she can say much more, Dunning grabs her and races off to the old part of the hotel. Kyle and Louie give chase, but Dunning is able to knock them out and escape through a secret door. Shortly afterwards, the two recover, and Kyle finds the secret passage, eventually finding a room that positively links Dunning as Osterzone, but he's suddenly trapped in the room by Dunning with a dwindling supply of air. Louie, worried about Kyle, is able to save him before he passes out again, and then they discover another room where Dunning has reluctantly given up running away, Mila safe in his care. Dunning explains the whole story to Kyle, and realizing that Dunning likely meant no harm to himself, lets him go.
The Ending
The actual ending of the game that occurs the following morning depends on a number of factors, including replaying the game a second time and accomplishing certain hidden tasks. There are several different positive endings possible, in addition to Game Over endings. In the main ending, Kyle checks out after the night of revelations, planning to take a few weeks off from Red Crown to relax.
Depending on how deep Kyle delved into the other guests' stories, some of them will give him a farewell before he leaves. If Kyle gave Mila mouth-to-mouth resuscitation when given opportunity, she'll request to come along, and they drive off together. After the credits, if the game was completed without any Game Overs, the ending continues on New Year's Eve. All of the guests have checked out, and Dunning is talking to Rosa, reflecting on the past year. The front door opens, and a girl in her late teen years walks in.
On the second playthrough, her face is fully revealed with tears forming in her eyes, Dunning immediately recognizing her as Jenny.
The Other Guests
The other hotel guests are related to the main plot in various ways.
Grace, sister of Iris, wife of Kevin Woodward (a doctor at Robbins Hospital) and mother of Melissa, worked in Robert Evans' art studio and learned of the Osterzone secret. A few years prior to the present events, Kevin made a critical error during an operation and suffered a large malpractice suit that he could not pay for. Grace, an everloving wife, used her connection in the art world to request an Osterzone painting from Dunning, which she sold for a large amount in order to give the money to her husband to cover the suit. However, to protect herself, she created a tape to be used as blackmail if necessary that she sent to her sister Iris, with instructions to give it to the "man that paints angels" should she not contact Iris for some time. Worried that her family would be in danger, she left her husband and daughter, and fled from the Nile mob. Though they will continue searching for Grace, Kevin and Melissa become closer, while Iris is relieved to know that Grace is likely still alive, though still concerned for her missing sister.
Helen Parker had a son named Alan but abandoned him to pursue a career as a stage magician some twenty odd years prior to the events of the game. By chance, she was asked to perform for the opening of Hotel Dusk twenty years prior to the present events, and encountered her son, who was pursuing his own career as a writer. They promised to meet ten years later at the hotel. At that time, he told her he was close to finishing a great novel that would get him noticed in the literary world. As a gift, Helen gave him a fountain pen, and they promised to meet again in another ten years at the same hotel. However, Alan's friend, Martin Summer, who also wanted to be a writer but didn't have the talent for it, took the final copy of Alan's work and presented it as his own, earning him great praise. Along the way, Martin also managed to come into possession of the pen Helen had gifted to Alan, which he continued to carry to the present. Alan's life was ruined, but Martin never fessed up to him about it, and Alan fled to parts unknown. While Martin enjoyed short term success, his further works failed to make an impact, and he came to Hotel Dusk hoping to find the same inspiration that Alan had found. Kyle helps connect the dots for Martin, pointing out that Helen is the mother of the friend he betrayed, and after talking it over, Martin vows to not rest until he can locate Alan for Helen.
Jeff Damon is a son of a famous defense lawyer who actually does a good amount of work for the Nile mob. Jeff overheard some of the criminal dealings that his father was involved in and wished that he could get out of that life. He concocted a plan to steal some money and a gun from his Beverly Hills home, and then flee. However, during his run, he came across Mila and her Hotel Dusk pamphlet. He took her there and checked in under the name "Jeff Angel", hoping to drop the cash and gun on some unsuspecting person (in this case, Kyle). However, Kyle discovered the dupe, and told Jeff that instead of running, it would be better for both him and his father to return and fess up to the crime.
Angels
Angels are a motif that play an important part in Hotel Dusk. References to them appear in various forms, acting as a subtle link between the people in the hotel. For instance, Jeff uses "Angel" as a surname in place of his real name Jeff Damon. Melissa asks Kyle to repair a doll with angel wings, Dunning named Room 212 "Angel", and Martin requests that he help search for a bookmark printed with the image of an angel painting. That same angel painting, entitled "Angel Opening a Door," plays heavily into Kyle's search for Bradley, as Bradley stole the painting before he disappeared. Near the end of the game, it is revealed that Bradley gave the painting back to Dunning, secretly the man who painted it.
In another sense, the character of Mila, who is beautiful, childlike, and dressed in white, can be considered an angel herself. An innocent girl who had been in a coma for ten years, her memories of the incident that hospitalized her play an important role as the story nears its conclusion. The game's Japanese subtitle, Tenshi no kioku, or "Angel's Memory," may also alude to this.
Also, the city that the hotel is near to, Los Angeles, is often referred to as "the city of angels"
Reception
As of July 29, 2007, Hotel Dusk has garnered a review score ratio of 80% at Game Rankings.[3] Most major review sources gave it high marks, including IGN (7.9/10), GameSpot (8.2/10), Electronic Gaming Monthly (8.67/10), and 1Up.com (8/10).[3] The positive critical reception commonly references the game's storyline and well-written character dialogue. Carolyn Gudmundson of Games Radar notes that the "...game is so well-written, and the dialogue is so natural, that it feels more like interacting with real people at times than following prompts in a game."[4] Alex Navarro of GameSpot notes that "...the characters that populate the hotel aren't just half-written caricatures, strictly designed to move the plot forward. These people have layers to them--legitimate character depth that shines through with each passing conversation."[5]
References
- ^ Anoop Gantayat (2005). "Nintendo Announces New DS Games". IGN. Retrieved January 26.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); External link in|work=|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Guy Cocker (2006). "E3 06: Nintendo tips handheld hand". GameSpot. Retrieved January 26.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); External link in|work=|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Hotel Dusk: Room 215 Reviews". Game Rankings. Retrieved February 1.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); External link in|work=|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Carolyne Gudmundson (2007). "The mystery of Hotel Dusk is rich and many layered". Games Radar. Retrieved January 27.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); External link in|work=|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Alex Navarro (2007). "Hotel Dusk: Room 215 for DS Review". GameSpot. Retrieved January 27.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); External link in|work=|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help)