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Last Window: Midnight Promise/Last Window: The Secret of Cape West
Developer: CiNG
Publisher: Nintendo of Japan/Nintendo of Europe
Platform: Nintendo DS
Genre: Adventure
Release Date: January 14, 2010 [Japan]/September 17, 2010 [Europe]
Official Web Sites: Japan/Europe
Media
Japanese Trailer
PAL Trailer #1
PAL Trailer #2
Behind the Scenes: Animation (Japanese)
Behind the Scenes: Animation (English)
What is Last Window: The Secret of Cape West?
Last Window is the sequel to the critically acclaimed Hotel Dusk: Room 215, an adventure game for the DS. Hotel Dusk centered around a former detective and now "salesman" Kyle Hyde, who stumbled upon a hot bed of secrets and deceit on a fateful trip to Hotel Dusk on the last Friday of the year 1979.
Last Window stars the beloved Mr. Hyde once more as he is again plunged into a new web of lies surrounding the mysterious Scarlet Star and the Cape West apartment complex, which is soon due for demolition...
The Hotel Dusk series is known for it's unique art style and film noir style storytelling. Players control Kyle Hyde as he delves into the secret lives of a group of people that all seem to have been brought together under unknown circumstances.
What is CiNG?
CiNG is a glorious company responsible for the aforementioned Hotel Dusk: Room 215 as well as the wondrous Trace Memory/Another Code sister series. The are also the creators of the delightful Little King's Story.
Sadly, they recently had to file for bankruptcy and are currently in limbo. No official statement on their present standing have been made, so whether or not they are restructuring or are being absorbed into another company is unknown. If you are currently a billionaire, or know anyone who is, please save CiNG. The world will be a better place for it.
What is Nintendo of America?
Nintendo of America is a lazy and apathetic company that wouldn't know a good adventure game if it kicked them in the face. They have decided in their infinite wisdom to (currently) pass on releasing Last Window in North America, just as they did with Another Code R and many other games despite the fact they already have an official, Nintendo funded translation.
Why do they do this? Who knows. But, if you would like to let Nintendo of America know how you feel about their lack of support for a quality series and their general poor foresight, please feel free to use their online comment form. (Civilly, of course.) Please put in a good word for Another Code R and CiNG as a whole too, if you are so inclined.
Kyle Hyde
Our intrepid hero. Once a detective for the NYPD, he know works for the traveling sales company "Red Crown". When he's not cracking wise or selling what ever it is he sells, he does a little private detective work on the behest of his boss, Ed. These side jobs tend to have a knack of getting Mr. Hyde caught up in a variety of sticky situations.
Rachel
Kyle's girl Friday... er, Rachel. She's the secretary for Red Crown and Kyle's liaison. She gives Kyle advise and backs him up whenever needed. She is one of the few people that knows Kyle on a more personal level, something that is very difficult to do.
Ed Vincent
Kyle's mysterious bossman. He's the one that sends Kyle on these "side jobs", but it seems he's not too happy with Kyle right now. Ed knew Kyle's father back in the day.
The Tenants of Cape West
A seemingly unrelated and unassuming group of people living in the Cape West apartment building. What secrets do they hide? And how will they aid or deter Kyle in his mission?
Those About Town
Some of the current or soon-to-be acquaintances in Kyle's life. What part do they play in the ordeal that is about to take place?
Chris & Jeanie Hyde
Kyle's parents. Kyle's father died when he was a child and his mother is currently residing in New Jersey. Do the reclusive Mr. Hyde's family have a role in the coming events?
Conversation & Interrogation
Kyle will need to put his police training and vast linguistic "skills" to use if he wants to learn the truth about the mysteries surrounding Cape West. Listen carefully to the people that you come across and wait until just the right time to press them for more information.
Be careful though, push too hard and you'll encounter the RED WAVE OF DEATH and your game will end.
Investigation
Make sure you've got some spare change for lipstick and and healthy tolerance for chalk dust because you'll be ransacking that apartment building every free second you get. No filing cabinet/book case/painting of a boat is safe.
Problem Solving
Part of being a good traveling salesman is cracking safes and untwisting paperclips, so get your stylus ready for some unbridled real life situation based puzzle solving action!
Control The Narrative
You're no Martin Summer *cough*, but you call the shots when it comes to this gripping saga. Your actions & choices in the game contribute to the novel that is being written about your adventure as you live it! It's your personal biography come to life! What A...!
So what else should you know about the game before you play it? Well, like the previous Hotel Dusk game, Last Window has an awesome jazztastic soundtrack that will send you into symphonic bliss while you dive deeper and deeper into the games twists and turns.
Also, in case you didn't already know, the DS is REGION FREE, so importing Last Window has never been easier or more satisfying! So call/surf to/hit up your favorite import shoppe and order your copy today! Don't forget to tell Nintendo of America how disappointed you are in them, it's good for the soul. (Remember to be polite!)
Oh, what are the reviews like you say? Well look no further.
Reviews
Game People
Cubed³ - 9/10
Famitsu - 32/40 (9/8/8/7)
Nintendo Life - 8/10
Girl Gamers UK - 8/10
Official Nintendo Magazine UK - 78%
IGN UK - 7.5/10
Eurogamer.net - 7/10
Itchy Thumbs - 7/10
Gamerzines - 70%
Metro UK - 6/10
More to come...?
Closing
Thanks for reading my first OT, I hope this brings some more attention to the game. I know the Prologue banner doesn't really make sense but I wanted the look to be consistent. If some skilled graphic artist wants to contribute a top banner or a Misc. banner to replace the Prologue banner, feel free to.
I'll add more reviews as I see them, and if by some miracle this game gets a US release I'll include that also.
GO BUY THIS GAME. THANK YOU.
I loved Hotel Dusk and can't wait to get stuck into this.