Computer Nobody Wants to Die Review

Product Details:

NA Release: July 17, 2024
EU Release: July 17, 2024
Publisher: PLAION
Developer: Critical Hit Games
Genre: RPG
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Official Website: https://nobodywantstodie.games/ag


New York, 2329. James Karra, a Mortality Department Detective, must retrieve Mr. Green's ichorite - a digital copy of his mind. Green, a big shot in the city, just died. But in 2329, death isn't final if you've got cash. Your mind gets a new body, simple as that.

But Green's case isn't so simple. His ichorite is busted beyond repair - meaning he's really gone, money or not. Karra digs deeper, stumbling into a serial killer case that hits closer to home than he expected.



We've seen our share of cyberpunk games. They can feel stale. But Nobody Wants to Die's 2329 New York? It's different. It's not just the fancy Unreal Engine 5 graphics. Critical Hit Games mixes noir and cyberpunk in a fresh way. Think Bioshock meets Cyberpunk 2077.

This New York is packed. Neon towers stretch forever, housing countless souls. The rich-poor gap? Huge. Some folks even rent out their bodies to scrape by. But amid this high-tech world, you'll spot 1950s-style flying cars, parties on airships, and old-school typewriter computers. This blend of old and new runs through the game, giving it a unique feel.

The game looks like a movie. Gameplay flows smoothly into cutscenes. The voice acting is top-notch, and the music sets a perfect gloomy, noir mood.

But sometimes, Nobody Wants to Die tries too hard with the noir stuff. The main character feels a bit cliché - he's a grumpy detective who drinks too much and talks to himself a lot.

Critical Hit Games has crafted a world that stands out in the crowded cyberpunk genre. The mix of futuristic tech and retro design creates a unique atmosphere that pulls you in. From the towering neon-lit buildings to the 1950s-inspired hovercars, every detail adds to the game's distinct identity.

The cinematic approach to storytelling, with its seamless transitions and professional voice acting, immerses players in the narrative. The atmospheric soundtrack further enhances the noir vibe, creating a moody backdrop for the unfolding mystery.

However, the game occasionally leans too heavily on detective story tropes. The protagonist's constant cynical monologues and substance abuse issues feel a bit overdone, potentially distracting from the otherwise intriguing plot and setting.

Despite this minor flaw, Nobody Wants to Die offers a fresh take on the cyberpunk genre, blending familiar elements with innovative twists to create a compelling gaming experience.

Despite its visually striking environments, the game lacks a diverse cast of NPCs to interact with. Most encounters are brief, with the majority of communication happening over radio. More character interactions could have made the experience more memorable. However, the NPCs you do engage with via audio have unique and interesting personalities.



Contrary to what you might expect, Nobody Wants to Die is entirely combat-free. While there are some scenes involving gunfire, you won't be actively wielding weapons. Instead, you'll assist Detective Karra in his investigation. Your tasks involve exploring the surroundings, examining and interpreting clues, and making choices that impact the game's direction.

Although most exploration happens in first-person using a point-and-click style, Nobody Wants to Die isn't exactly a walking simulator. There's more to it than just wandering around. As a detective, Karra has access to advanced tech that lets him recreate past events holographically. This reconstruction requires gathering enough clues, after which Karra can play and rewind scenes to spot suspicious details.

Karra's toolkit also includes portable UV and X-ray scanners to aid his investigations. This sci-fi detective approach, which shares some elements with Detroit Become Human, enhances the overall presentation.

Another intriguing feature is the hypothesis-making process. Instead of using a traditional cork board with red string, Karra projects holograms on the floor to analyze clues and form theories. Finding clues adds a layer of challenge, though optional hints are available to guide you. Some mechanics, especially hypothesis-making, have a bit of a learning curve at first.

The game also challenges players through in-game decisions. Certain actions and dialogue choices can lead to different outcomes and conversation options. These choices ultimately determine which of the four possible endings you'll see in a playthrough. While the choices aren't always morally complex, they do raise the stakes as you're unsure which decision will lead to what outcome.



Nobody Wants to Die is a visually impressive RPG with a unique cyberpunk noir premise. Throughout its 6-hour runtime, I found myself wanting to explore more of its detailed world. However, the game limits exploration to confined scenes. While there are sequences in hovering cars, you can't freely drive around futuristic New York. Despite Karra's monologues overlooking towering skyscrapers, you're not able to freely explore the city. This feels somewhat restrictive, likely due to the game's scope, even though it invites players to engage more deeply with its fascinating universe.

While Nobody Wants to Die offers some puzzling moments and clue-hunting, it's not overly demanding. A more morally complex decision-making process and less guidance could enhance the overall experience.

Despite these constraints, the game world is captivating, and the mystery keeps players engaged. Being at the heart of the action, with impactful choices, creates a memorable journey. Although the branching paths are somewhat limited, they do encourage replays and contribute to an engaging gameplay loop. All in all, Nobody Wants to Die marks a promising start for Critical Hit Games, and I'm hopeful they'll revisit this universe, allowing for more exploratory freedom in future installments.

• Engaging blend of noir and cyberpunk elements
• Innovative reconstruction and hypothesis-building mechanics
• Visually impressive
• Lacks significant challenge
• Some noir tropes feel overused
• Limited exploration despite an intriguing universe