The Xbox 360 cult classic is back but this time on the PlayStation 3 with remastered graphics, better controls and new story elements. But never mind such back-of-the-box bullet points - Deadly Premonition: The Director's Cut remains one of the most startlingly original and, to be blunt, freak-out games of this generation...
Some say that the original Deadly Premonition, released waaayy back in 2010, was a bit of a car wreck; shonky graphics, bad controls and at times, a storyline that tipped over the edge into total bonkerdom. Others counter-argued that it's precisely the game's presentation, those wonky controls and the out-there storyline that all added up to a masterclass in original videogaming.
And we're firmly in the latter camp. We're in love with Hidetaka 'Swery' Suehiro's twisted Japanese take on Twin Peaks that sees you playing as FBI agent Francis York Morgan (actually his alter ego, Zach) as you journey to the sleepy town of Greenvale to uncover the truth behind a ritualistic killing.
The third-person gameplay sees you walking and driving round the open world of Greenvale, investigating the case, talking to the 'colourful' characters of Greenvale, taking part in a mass of side missions and indulging in third-person combat and surprisingly effective Quick Time Events (we never thought we would see ourselves typing that). It all adds up to a sometimes startling splicing of genres from the combat of Resident Evil's survival horror to a David Lynch murder mystery with added coffee, darts, fishing. And shaving.
For those familiar with the Xbox 360 version, there are a host of changes, some substantial. New scenes and scenarios make an appearance, there's now a branching ending and most importantly (for some at least) are the upgraded character models and textures plus much improved controls.
Ultimately, we recommend you ignore the naysayers and let them get back to whatever mainstream game pleases them, and instead pick up a game that will stay with you long after you've solved the mystery behind Greenvale. Deadly Premonition was a instant classic back in 2010 - and it remains an enduring one in 2013. For anyone who's passionate about gaming then, it's an essential purchase.