I understand that support was for Windows 10/11; but there shouldn't be anything going on here that can't be handled by Proton/Wine on Linux. But the in-game cutscenes just don't show anything (audio only) if you install this on Linux. The process of getting cutscenes on Linux is either transferring over the Japanese video files, or installing 3rd-party fan mods which use the content but have better videos. Might be fine if you only run on Windows, but if you're a Linux user, this one will be more work than it's probably worth. (I consider "no FMVs" to be game breaking, and so cannot comment further on the game beyond "doesn't launch correctly")
tl;dr -- You can't use the dpad for directional input, only the analog stick. Which is terrible. I've played all of these games many times in various forms over the years, and the one thing that makes the most sense for directional input is to use the DPAD. These are NES games, and requiring the use of an anlog joystick for playing NES games is really awful. On top of that, there are no resolution options -- maybe that doesn't matter, but I use multiple monitors and having Windows rearrange all my applications whenever I launch and exit the game is stupid. You also can't play in windowed-mode as far as I've found. If you want to access options (to save, load, or adjust inputs) there's no menu option for it -- you have to press F1, which isn't ever communicated. Mashing buttons on a controller gets there eventually, and knowing programmer UI, it's not too hard to start trying F-keys, but it's a terrible user experience. This was a port done by programmers with no input from a graphic designer or game designer. This port is literally the worst way I can imagine to play through any of these games.
The game is fine. Read other people's reviews for the actual game. I cannot play this game because the controller input experience is completely useless. (For reference, I use an Xbox One controller, which is meant to be standard on Windows.) First (and perhaps most restricting), you cannot make the game accept dpad input for direction control -- only the left analog stick. Beyond that, there's no indication at all of what buttons do which actions. I don't mind a little trial and error, but then when selecting items (e.g., the binoculars) you can't actually USE the items in the inventory AFAICT. If you're fine to use the keyboard, then this port is probably fine. But honestly there are easier ways to use a game controller to play this game, and the port has done absolutely nothing towards making this the best way to play.
The game seems fine, read other reviews here. I can't play this game because of how terrible the inputs and configuration are. First, you can't interact with the menus/UI using the dpad (I use a standard Xbox One controller, so nothing weird); only the left analog stick. If you want to use the dpad you'll need an external tool to remap your buttons. The default key for "accept" in the start menu is "X" on the Xbox One controller. (At least "Cancel" is still "B", but...) When you go into the menu to customize the inputs, you don't get any named inputs and you don't get any kind of indication of a came controller. You get "Button 3", and it's up to you to know which button number is the "A" button; and also up to you to decide which action "Button 6" should map to. There's no representation of where the buttons map on a controller, and there's no display of the named button inputs. The menu doesn't even let you hold down the analog stick to scroll through inputs faster. This is the worst kind of "programmer UI" I've ever seen in a released software. You're better off buying an old PlayStation and getting a copy of the game. Normal users are going to be completely lost on this hot garbage port.
The writing and narration is amazing in this game. It's almost entirely a text game, so if that's not your thing then keep scrolling. But the way that your conversations with your inner-self go is just truly amazing and is a source of odd familiarity to me but also a WHOLE lot of "laugh out loud" interactions. With yourself. So if you like some mystery and role-playing with brilliant writing and storytelling that isn't weighed down by twitch-reaction combat or even much strategic thinking? Here's your game. I'm so glad I took the plunge and purchased it right away, because this is exactly the kind of game I've been wanting lately.
So like... first of, don't expect a game. There are no puzzles here. You pick up some items and use them, but there's nothing to "solve" or figure out. It's an interactive film. The script isn't great, the acting is mostly tolerable (though they sure did front-load the worst of it -- looking at you, "breakfast table flirting after opening sex scene). Several people mention the game being "gorey" and I was expecting like basements full of bloody, dismembered corpses. But mostly it's like people being murdered and yeah, there's blood. But I grew up on Doom, and this was tame. But let's talk about themes. To do this, I have to spoil some things, so skip from here if you don't want to see it. There's some really uncomfortable domestic abuse in this game. (Yes, poor Don wasn't "himself," I understand, that's not the problem.) The woman you play gets yelled at and it's messed up, but then she just goes and does something else, and as soon as her man seems hurt and vulnerable, she's RIGHT back there to try and comfort him. She's literally seeing flashbacks of murder, but no, let's go try to comfort your recently-turned-abusive husband? No, get out of that relationship! Again, spoiler, but after getting yelled at, and husband comes in and tries to get romantic. Wife brushes him off, he persists, and you can see it on her face this look like, "There's no way out of this, is there. He wants it, and there's nothing I can do to stop him." And yes, he rapes his wife. And she breaks down crying in the bathroom afterwards. And then the next day, she is still trying to be supportive of him. Like WHAT?! I know a lot of these gender/relationship roles were tropes back in the 90s, but jeez, it's uncomfortable. Feel free to play this to understand it in the context of when it was made. But I can't recommend it as enjoyable on its own these days. It feels like playing a documentary of the death of adventure games.
