Kathy Rain: Director's Cut
Genres: Puzzle, Mystery, Point & Click, Story Rich, Atmospheric, Adventure
Play modes: singleplayer
Release Date: 26-10-2021
Developer: Clifftop Games
Our verdict
8.5/10
- Difficulty: Medium
- Players: 1
- Playtime: 7–10 h
Kathy Rain: Director's Cut is a reworked edition of the 2016 pixel-art point and click detective mystery. In the 1990s, journalism student Kathy returns to her hometown after her grandfather's death and digs into what happened to him, collecting clues, interrogating suspects and combining deductions. It suits solo players who like Twin Peaks-style small-town mysteries and classic adventure puzzles.
Steam reviews are very positive (about 92% of 1,386). Players praise the writing, atmosphere and voice acting, and many say the brash lead grows on you as the story turns personal. Reviewers list the changes over the original: modern resolutions, no frame cap, extra content and polish.
The main complaint is that it is largely the same game, so owners of the original felt the upgrade should have been free. Some also found Kathy's attitude grating early on. Expect about seven to ten hours. If you have never played Kathy Rain, this is the version to buy; if you own the original, the upgrade is optional.
Pros
- Small-town 1990s mystery with strong writing and voice acting
- Clue combining and deductions beyond simple inventory puzzles
- Modern resolutions and extra content over the 2016 original
Cons
- Little new for owners of the original
- Kathy's attitude can grate in the early hours
About
Kathy Rain: Director's Cut is a re-imagining of the classic 2016 point-and-click detective mystery set in the '90s.
In this investigative thriller, you will do things like:
- Collect clues and make deductions
- Analyze evidence
- Interrogate suspects
- Solve cryptic puzzles
All while moving from location to location on your sweet hog and getting into all sorts of trouble!
Kathy is a strong-willed journalism major who must come to terms with her troubled past as she investigates the mysterious death of her recently departed grandfather.
Armed with her motorcycle, a pack of cigs, and a notepad, Kathy delves into a local mystery surrounding her hometown that will take her on a harrowing journey of emotional and personal turmoil.
As she follows a trail of clues left by her grandfather, questions emerge: What was Joseph Rain really looking for that night all those years ago? What turned him into a mere shell of a man, confined to a wheelchair? What secret did a suicidal young artist take with her to the grave, and why are so many people in Conwell Springs going mad? The truth is dark, sinister, and yours to uncover…Original Kathy Rain Features:
- Compelling narrative with an eerie plot set in the '90s
- Gorgeous pixel art displayed in 40+ hand-drawn environments
- 4,000+ lines of fully voiced dialogue directed by Wadjet Eye Games' Dave Gilbert
- Atmospheric original soundtrack
Director's Cut Introduces:
- Extended storyline, including a longer and more satisfying ending and 700+ new lines of dialogue with the original cast
- Several new areas to explore with unique puzzles to solve
- Streamlined controls with a single-click mouse interface and controller support
- Enlarged all game environments for widescreen without black bars on the sides
- Extra character animations, improved lighting/shadows and better weather effects
- Remixed and expanded soundtrack
- Five brand new motorcycle designs to unlock
