Black Dahlia

Being a video game enthusiast i've often pondered what were the best and worst endings to a video game I've ever seen. Deciding on the best would take some time, but as far as the worst goes i don't have to rack my brain for very long before I remember that I once played thru a little known PC game called Black Dahlia. I use the word 'played' loosely because about after the 3rd puzzle the game becomes so damn difficult I had to seek internet walkthroughs from that point on to the horrific end of the game. On a difficulty scale i would rate this game a Migraine. Seriously I doubt anyone including the people that have posted their thoughts here before me have went through this game without seeking some type of help online. Having Hopper and Garr make cameos was just a marketing ploy they lend little if anything to the game. For it's time i guess the graphics were pretty good and the setting is just perfect for a great FMV video game but these people really blew it. In fact I think the company must have gone belly up in the final days of production and the office janitor went ahead and decided how the game would end. I used to love FMV games and i still do but in the year 2005 they have pretty much been phased out. I'm still always on the look out for FMV games i may have missed over the years and on the off chance you're on the lookout too stay the hell away from this one!

This game is a unique take on the Black Dahlia case. For those unaware, the nickname "Black Dahlia" was given to Elizabeth Short, a young woman murdered in 1947. To date, the case remains an unsolved mystery.

More interestingly, however, is the fact that the first half of the game features an alternative take on the notorious Torso murders from Cleveland, Ohio in the 1930s.

The player takes on the role of Jim Pearson, an agent working for the COI, a Federal government agency created just before America entered World War II. The remit of the COI (in the game at least) is to investigate Americans who the Federal government suspects may be spies working for the Nazis.

As anyone will expect, a simple plot soon develops rapidly and the player becomes an investigator rather than a mere "Fed" agent. The investigations take the player right into the heart of World War II and witness some alternative (albeit fictional) insights into the events and motivations behind this disturbing chapter in world history.

Gameplay consists mainly of solving puzzles and interacting with other characters in the game. Whilst it is evident that puzzles have been designed carefully to fit neatly and logically into the storyline there are some that seemingly defy logic. It is recommended that those playing the game for the first time have a walkthrough, strategy guide or at least a hint sheet handy just in case they reach a point where further progression seems too difficult. Those familiar with the developer's previous venture, RIPPER, will understand what to expect as far as the gameplay goes.

Most of the game is rendered in Full Motion Video (FMV), with some computer rendered images for background. Video cut scenes are played when the player interacts with another character. Again, those familiar with the developer's previous venture, RIPPER, will know what to expect.

Just as RIPPER did an excellent job of creating a view of the future (2040s), so too BLACK DAHLIA does an equally excellent job in re-creating the 1940s setting. The gameplay begins in 1941 and runs through 1947.

First-rate talent in the form of Dennis Hopper and Teri Garr make the gameplay experience even more enjoyable, despite their characters being not quite as memorable as supporting characters in RIPPER. But it is the superb leading performance by Darren Eliker as the main character, Jim Pearson, that really carries BLACK DAHLIA. Unlike Jake Quinlan in RIPPER, Jim Pearson has a much more overt sense of humour and delivers many great lines with sarcastic wit. As such, his character is easier to connect with.

Special mention should be given to David Whalen, who gives a superb performance as Dick Winslow, a very smarmy FBI agent. He steals every scene he's in and makes those scenes compelling viewing (even for those who do not like the game as a whole).

The game was originally released on 8 CDs and is now long out of print. Fortunately, it can easily be purchased from online auctions and trading websites without paying too much. Hopefully, some company will take advantage of the DVD medium to re-release this game on a single disc.

The game maintains a very good balance of mystery, suspense, tension, action, drama, intrigue and comedy to ensure it obtains a status as a classic of video gaming.

I highly recommend this game to anyone interested in murder mysteries, the developer's previous games, the Indiana Jones franchise or FMV gaming.

Hopefully some lucky person who hasn't experienced this game yet will read my comments and go out and purchase it. I actually saw it the other day inside a big bin of ugly and timeworn clearance software that nobody really wants. I tell you, it hurt me to see a game of this nature dumped into some crate of obsolete things. It is old but I probably play through the game at least once every month- it's that fascinating and good.

I guess the experience of playing Black Dahlia is like being totally immersed inside a mystery movie. I have great nostalgia for the 1940s era and the game is set entirely within this time and all the characters are dressed sharply and speak cleverly in the quick and slightly queer way of the period. The lead is played by a very charming man, Darren Eliker, and you take charge of him in a way and you really start to feel like your traveling all over the place with this guy, or as this guy I should say, and it's excellent fun. I implore you to try out this game. I only wish they would make more like it, FMV style. There are hardly any decent adventure games being made with animation let alone with actors. I was told that a game like Black Dahlia simply costs too much to make, basically the same as shooting a film. Yet, it would be obvious to anyone who plays the game the work and quality that's gone into it on every level. I think the story's really great too and that plays a big part in its appeal. In fact, I would love to see this game turned into a feature film- like it almost is already.

The first game I ever played, I am in my 50's. I had just gotten a computer and had never played any video games so it was my first experience. I thought the whole thing was great. Everything was new to me, I had nothing in my own experiences to compare it with. I was really into it, then my computer locked up and I would have to start all over again until I got the knack of saving where I was at. The Easter Eggs were fun. When I could no longer move forward I did find a cheater. That made it even more fun. This kind of story is something a person my age can really get into, I had not found any up until I got Black Dahlia that even interested me at all. Are there more games like this, or are there any in the works? I would like to try them.

I have played this game several times and it never gets boring. The plot is wonderful. If you like fmv games, then this one you will love. The acting is good, the graphics are beautiful and there are some special effects which are simply superb. Dennis Hopper and Teri Garr just appear briefly in the game. If you bought this game just because you are a Dennis Hopper fan, you don't have to be disappointed, because this is one storyline which is even better than "Seven". To give a little indication of what to expect. The producers of "Ripper" have outdone themselves. They have created a better game with better actors. Buy this game. If you are a movie buff like me, then this is one interactive movie you have to own.