D

 

D is a horror themed interactive adventure game with full motion video sequences happening between the game play sequences. What makes it rather unique for the 90's is that there are no pause or save features, and you must beat the game under 2 hours.

Released for various platforms inclusing MSDOS, 3DO and PlayStation, D is developed by the Japanese Warp team, and with a similar approach towards it as when Squaresoft released the very first Final Fantasy, if D was not a success, Warp would dissolve and quit game development.

Fortunately, it was a success both at home and over at the West, for it's horror moments such as cannibalism, it's presentation and the unfolding story line. Several endings are available, letting you be able to replay should you wish to see them all.

D is a nifty little start towards a horror trilogy.

Enemy Zero is the follow up to the first game, but each entry are stand alone and can be played in any order.

This one has a space setting, and is featured on the Sega Saturn. The concept is rather different as your playable character Laura now moves through the space station, and in order to get further, you must listen to sound clues.

Enemies are invisible, and you can charge up a gun to defend yourself, but you need to get used to it, as the gun needs to be charged in a timing way before it becomes effective. The FMV sequences return, and more cut-scenes and voice acting are featured.

Enemy Zero is rather obscure as a horror game. It reminded me of Hellnight.

The final entry of the Warp or Laura trilogy, D2 is based in the Canadian wilderness, and the gameplay is changed rather differently.

Featuring even more cut-scenes, D2 has RPG mechanics, and in a rather weird way, once you encounter random enemies, the game changes into a turn based first person shooting battle where you can gain battle experience.

D2 is the longest game of the three, and kudo's if you can beat it, as the story is drilled with many horrific content making it surrealistic and esoteric. It's too bad that Warp did not have more success, and that the lead game designer died so early in life.