Title: Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories
Developer: Granzella
Publisher: NIS America, Inc
Genre: Action-Adventure, Survival
Available On: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Steam
Official Site: Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories
Release Date: April 7, 2020
Where to Buy: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Steam
The long-awaited sequel in the survival adventure franchise has arrived. Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories captures the feeling of trying to survive a natural disaster, but small issues keep it from reaching its full potential.
Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories is an action-adventure game, where you must learn to survive after a massive earthquake destroys a Japanese city. The game was originally meant for the PlayStation 3, but after many delays have made it to modern consoles and PC.
Disaster Report 4 Returns to Modern Consoles and PC
The game begins with you in a dark room, where you are asked what you would do if you were stuck in an emergency. While other games will give you a handful of options to choose from, Disaster Report 4 breaks it by giving you almost ten or more dialogue options at times.
After selecting your character, you find yourself on a bus in a fairly large Japanese city. After having the option to let an older woman have your seat, a massive earthquake forces the bus to crash.
Coming out of the bus, the main loop of the game begins. You will explore the different environments that have been affected by the earthquake while engaging with the different characters you find along the way.
There is a survival element, but for the most part, it is not like other hardcore survival games. To reduce stress, you will need to make sure you eat, drink, and go to the bathroom.
Survive Devastating Earthquakes and Build Relationships
Even though the earthquake-ravaged this city, another major issue to contend with is the numerous aftershocks. They will cause buildings to collapse, streetlights to fall, and will knock you over.
The game’s main story is fairly dull because it involves trying to survive and escape the city. What matters are the smaller stories you find along the way.
Whether that is a fake convenience store manager charging outrageous prices, or a young woman stuck inside of a collapsing building, the game is about the characters you encounter.
What makes this work is the number and variety of responses you have to speak with characters. There are so many different options that it helps you build a complete character.
Another aspect of the game worth noting is the humor, as this is one of the funniest games I have played recently. Not to say that the game has jokes, but the different dialogue options and ways the game works at times had my sides hurting.
Technical Limitations Add and Detract From Disaster Report 4
Disaster Report 4 can be a goofy and eccentric experience at times, but it also presents an overwhelming sense of smallness in comparison to this massive disaster. You are a small being compared to the massive tectonic movements that occur, and the game captures that sense well.
It is like a good, bad movie, where you are not sure whether or not the creators felt they were making something fun or serious. Not to say that the game does not have serious moments, but it feels like there is a balance between serious situations and goofy fun.
Disaster Report 4 began development on the PlayStation 3, and it is most evident in the graphics. It feels and looks like a remastered PS3 game for better and worse. While it does add to the charm of the game, sometimes the graphical style makes it feel like a dull experience.
Speaking of performance, the game has poor frame rate issues. When there is a lot of action on screen, the game chugs, but even in calm moments, the game has trouble keeping up.
At around 10 hours long, it is enough to feel like a complete experience for what you are getting. With the different dialogue choices, it does feel like you could get a lot out of playing the game again.
Special DLC Costumes and PSVR Mode
There is also a special epilogue as DLC, with the first part being free and the second part available for purchase. The game also features a lot of DLC costumes to change up your style.
The only detractor is the price; at $60, it puts it in contention with more polished or crowd-friendly titles. However, if you can find it at a discount, later on, it is an experience worth checking out.
The game also includes a special mode for PlayStation VR, where players can explore different environments in virtual reality.
What works best about Disaster Report 4 is the stories and different characters, and how you interact with them. I would recommend playing this game with a group of friends because experiencing the magic of this bizarre little game is something to see with others.
On paper, Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories seems like just a run-of-the-mill adventure game with some mild survival elements. However, the game’s eccentric style and charm make it feel like a cult classic.
Verdict: Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories captures the overwhelming tension of what it would be like to be stuck in a natural disaster, but still has plenty of moments of levity. Sadly, a high price point and last-generation roots keep it from reaching its full potential.
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