Preview of “Dead Reset”

So here’s the thing about FMV games lately—they kinda snuck back into the indie scene, didn’t they? It’s sorta like, remember those old choose-your-own-adventure books? Yeah, just like that, but video games! Anyway, one that grabbed my eyeballs was this whodunit type deal, The Shapeshifting Detective. Actors trying to squeeze magic outta minimal storytelling tools—cool stuff. Then there’s the batty Not for Broadcast, a whole different spin. And out of nowhere, Dark Rift Horror lets us poke around Dead Reset, which, I gotta say, could be a creepy-fun narrative in the horror mystery world.

Imagine this: Cole Mason, surgeon extraordinaire—or not—finds himself sprawled on a space station floor, straight out of Aliens or something. Bam! An armed guard snatches him up, shoves him to an operating table, and hey, there’s a patient needing surgery. With a gun to his head, Cole faces some stern folk and a pal of the patient urging him to get cutting. Decisions, decisions. Do you grab for a gun, make a run, or cut? I figured what the hey, let’s play nice, and WHAM! Alien mess everywhere—so gross but, like, kinda awesomely graphic. Turns out, Cole’s in a time loop. Rinse and repeat. Try this, try that, and dodging death’s a real trip. Chapters fly by, and yeah, some choices are dead ends (literally), like when ID’s gonna blow your arm off. But, you know, trial error loops, getting somewhere finally—contained that alien critter, but what next, huh?

The actors? Wow, seriously into it. Mostly they nail it, though a couple of intense bits felt a bit off—like, am I supposed to feel this palsy so fast? But, time’s a ticking in game-making land, so I get it. Horror’s a quick bond-builder; everyone’s like best friends in minutes. Blood? Oh, it’s a sloppy shindig—innards everywhere and pew-pew gunshot drama. That little alien dude? Goofy if you peeked too close, but they keep it at just the right squint-worthy distance. Flashy like that Area 51 game—you know, kaboom visuals where the action’s at. Honestly, with less talented direction, it could’ve been a laugh riot, but nope, it works.

So, did I dig the Dead Reset peek? You bet. It’s got that tease-y pull, giving a peek at the wild ride it promises. Cole and his team, acting chops and all, add layers to this loop-de-loop mystery, and that alien beneath the dermis—yikes, but yay, can’t wait for more. Circle September 11th, Nintendo Switch fans, ‘cause Dead Reset’s diving into eShop then.