Dead Take: The Ambitious Live-Action Hollywood Thriller

Impossible to ignore Palworld’s recent success, and now its publisher Pocketpair is aiming higher with Pocketpair Publishing’s first release: Dead Take. Developed by the team behind the narrative-driven metroidvania Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, this horror thriller merges live-action footage, escape-room puzzles and a dark dive into Hollywood’s underbelly.

Live-Action Meets Gameplay

Dead Take weaves filmed sequences directly into its gameplay loop. Players must locate, compile and watch these clips to unravel the mystery—think Quantum Break with a cinematic twist. Instead of tacking on videos as optional extras, each clip is a crucial clue that unlocks new areas and dialogue in a sprawling star’s mansion.

Star-Studded Cast and Story

• Neil Newbon (Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3) and Ben Starr (Clive in Final Fantasy XVI) headline the cast, bringing depth and nuance to their roles.
• The narrative: You play an actor investigating the disappearance of a friend after a high-profile Hollywood party. Every room hides secrets, and paranoia builds as alliances shift.

Drawing inspiration from games like Layers of Fear and the Zero Escape series, Dead Take’s setting among celebrity mansions adds a biting commentary on fame, manipulation and the price of stardom.

Puzzles, Atmosphere and PC Exclusivity

The escape-room elements range from decoding cryptic messages to assembling evidence that triggers fresh video sequences. Maintaining variety in these puzzles will be key to avoiding repetition and keeping the tension high. Atmospheric audio design and moody lighting promise to bolster the sense of dread.

Announced as a PC exclusive on Steam in 2024 (exact date TBA), Dead Take’s choice of platform suggests a focus on high-fidelity video integration and motion-capture performance. Console audiences may be disappointed, but this approach gives the developers room to push technical boundaries.

Why Dead Take Matters

In a landscape crowded with formulaic horror, Dead Take stands out by fusing cinematic storytelling, robust puzzle design and a Hollywood-level cast. If Pocketpair Publishing delivers on its promise to make players “live” the thriller, it could redefine expectations for FMV and narrative-driven horror in 2024. We’ll be watching for that release date to see if Dead Take lives up to its dramatic ambitions.