Although largely text and narrative-based, there are some gameplay mechanics in place here which, although don’t really punctuate the experience too much, certainly help with the overall immersion. Not that it matters, because ultimately the journey is far more interesting than reaching the end of the murder mystery. By the end of the shift, there usually isn’t enough time to put all the clues and notes together before it’s time to hit the clunky sofa bed. Night Call has a non-linear progression to it, and while the pace is slow it suits the mood of the experience. With a passenger “Passidex” to complete, most players will enjoy the act of simply driving strangers around and hearing their stories, which is why the inclusion of a free-roaming mode independent of the main adventure is most certainly a smart move by the developers. It’s clear by now that this video game is a noir narrative at its heart and, more so than the main objective and storyline, it’s the act of simply picking up these many, many passengers that becomes the core of the experience in Night Call. They all have a story, some more willing to banter than others, and yet they all collectively portray a broad spectrum of the modern human condition. Ultimately every passenger you pick up in the graveyard shift proves to be memorable in their own right.
Night call serial#
The main crux of the experience in Night Call is picking up passengers during each night shift and having a conversation with them: most of these clients are inconsequential to the main narrative, while some end up being key players in the broader serial killer conspiracy.
Night call driver#
Suddenly the taxi driver is neither a therapist nor a bartender, but a begrudging detective. Soon you find yourself caught in some elaborate corruption and conspiracy within the law enforcement, which means you now need to “cooperate” with the authorities, lest your past catches up to you. With bills piling up in a dingy studio apartment, you have no choice but to drive through the streets of Paris, picking up strangers in the dark to earn a living. There is a serial killer on the loose and you somehow managed to survive the assault. In Night Call you are a taxi driver caught in the midst of something far bigger than yourself.
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