Review: Dexter The Game
by Matt Fox
September 23, 2009
Overview
Based on the hit original series on Showtime, Dexter the Game places you in the driver's seat of everyone's favorite serial killer. Dexter is a blood spatter analyst by day and moonlights as a serial killer with a "code" by night. Help Dexter juggle his personal life, his professional life, and his "alternative" life at the same time. Just make sure you don't get caught.Features
The game features over 1100 lines of dialogue including original lines spoken by Dexter himself, Michael C. Hall. The game has a "choose your own" adventure element to it as you uncover more information on certain cases. Decisions you make have a direct effect on the outcome of the game.
The game's storyline is an original one written by the one of the show's producers, Tim Schlattmann. The game is played in either first or third person view. Just pinch the screen to zoom from third person to first.
The game also has a few options for the overall controls of the game as well. You can use the accelerometer and tilt to move Dexter or use Dual Yokes, a Single Yoke, or combine for a multi-touch option as well.
The game sports numerous mini-games throughout the gameplay. These mini-games are used to help Dexter solve his cases. These mini-games range from stuff like analyzing blood spatter patterns, matching DNA samples, matching fingerprints, and many more.
Lastly comes from just purchasing the game itself. Showtime is offering a chance to win a walk-on role in Dexter Season 5, lunch with the show's writers, and tons of other instant prizes like DVD's and t-shirts too. To enter, just purchase the game to get the code and go to www.dexterthegame.com for more info.
Breakdown
The Good:
The graphics and sounds/music in this app are incredibly impressive for an iPhone game. All of the music from the show is in the game and the lead actor, Michael C. Hall, reprises his role here and voices all of his dialogue. A very nice touch for anyone that's a fan of the series.
The app is set up in the style of a "choose your own adventure" type of game. It kind of reminded me of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. In that game your choices directly effected the storyline of the game and the same can be said for Dexter the Game.
For anyone that is a fan of the show, this game is almost like watching an entirely new season of the show. It ties into season one, but also stands on its two feet and the writers did a nice job of connecting the storyline into the actual show.
The Bad:
Let me start out by saying that Dexter the Series is probably one of my favorite shows on television right now. I have been anticipating this game for months and couldn't wait to start playing this one the minute it hit the App Store. So when I say that this game is incredibly disappointing, you'll understand how much it pains me to say those words.
There are just so many issues with this game. It's clear the development for this was rushed in order to coincide with the start of season 4 that's starting next weekend. The controls are terrible and just don't work very well at all. The worst comes when you have to sneak around without being caught.
The game just runs terribly slow and you will find yourself getting caught many, many times. When you finally get to the point you need to be at, the game transitions to a cut scene. You never get to actually catch anyone. That was a let down for sure.
The loading times for the game are another issue here. The loading takes a really long time and that's never fun. Be prepared to wait around a lot when playing this one. Even when going from say the gameplay screen to the Journal screen, there is a lag between when you tap the screen and when it actually goes there.
