Deadlight was originally released in 2012 for the Xbox Live Arcade marketplace, and PC. The post-apocalyptic 2.5D zombie platformer received a wide mixture of criticism over in-game issues that the newly released Director's Cut edition has supposedly set out to fix. So the burning questions in all of our minds looms like a dark cloud overhead; is Deadlight: Director's Cut worth the extra $6.00 over the regular version, is the game improved enough that you should buy it again, and if you don't have either one which should you purchase?
The short answer to the above is no, go with the original one. This Director's Cut edition has done nothing to solve the previously identified problems with the game, and in all reality the controls are worse now than before; not to mention the game will freeze up and crash during a specific scene in the third chapter if you die. If you exit while you're in the middle of a scene, you will also return to the very beginning of the chapter rather than whichever checkpoint you managed to make it to; you must go into the Scene Selection screen and pick up as close as you can to where you left off. The newly implemented Survival Arena mode is nothing but an excrutiatingly poor cash grab attempt; it's one very small map, with hordes and hordes of zombies that pour out of nowhere... you're lucky to survive over five minutes with the shoddy controls. It's a very bad and horribly executed idea for a 2.5D title.
The story takes place during 1986 in Seattle, the zombie apocalypse has begun and playing as ex-park ranger Randall Wayne you must survive long enough to find the friends you were separated from, along with your wife and child. You were heading to a Safe Point when you got separated from your group, and you continue in that direction in hopes to find your family along the way. It's going to be a long and rough road, with all the "Shadows" on the streets waiting to nip at your heels. The plot is further explored through finding secrets, diary entries, and clues that are scattered throughout the maps, as well as cutscenes that are done up in a conceptual graphic novel art style.
Visually, the game is stunning and impressive. The upgrade from 720 to 1080p has made a moderate difference in the appearance of the title. You will explore vast areas of the Seattle region, and even get sucked into the underground sewer system which is lain with many deadly traps. You'll also get to traverse areas in both the rain and sunshine, night and day time. The city looks like how you would expect one to look after it has been ravaged by apocalyptic war, violence, and zombies. Overall, the game has a great look and atmosphere to it, along with excellent voice acting and story telling to keep you immersed at all times. However, I did not notice any new animations which is apparently one of the perks to the Director's Cut.
The most challenging aspect of Deadlight is its platforming sections, particularly the areas that if you do not move quickly enough you will be crushed. The only reason that these areas are so ferocious, is due to the absolutely abhorrent controls. I'm not sure how the developers managed to make them worse in the Director's Cut, but they have... I do not remember having as many issues with the original game at all. When you climb a wall or fence, and need to traverse to the opposite side of it, you need only push up; however, this results in Randall spasming around like a lunatic as he hops across repeatedly until you find the exact pin-point axis with the thumbstick that makes him stop and actually maneuver properly. Since this issue exists, it creates a chain reaction where if you believe that you are successfully performing the action and proceed to jump, you will cross back over to the wrong side and jump and potentially (most usually) land to your death, or at least a horde of hungry enemies.
There are extra additives to the Director's Cut version that include an in-game digital artbook and developer diary videos to go behind the scenes. These small inclusions are again, not enough to warrant the price hike that this version comes with. I doubt that many people will even be interested in these features, but if you are trust me when I say they are not $6.00 extra worth of content.
While Deadlight itself is a good game with a great story that will have you compelled to continue to the bitter end, the Director's Cut is nothing but a mediocre cash grab attempt; do not be suckered in like I was. Deep Silver have recently reissued a few of their titles, all the others having come with a hefty price discount for owners of the original versions; this game does not, and even the 15% release discount isn't enough to warrant a purchase. I'm still in shock and awe on how they managed to screw up the control system even more, it really makes some areas nearly unplayable and utterly frustrating. If you watch my included video long enough, you will see more than a few deaths that were the result of controls not working right. The verdict? Deadlight is a good game... if you buy the original one instead. Stay away from this poor excuse of a cash grab.
Rating: 3.0/5.0 - Average, can take it or leave it.The Horror Network
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