I can’t say that I expected anything special from playing Do Not Feed the Monkeys 2099, because in my case (until now) I had not tried either the first edition or the demo of this sequel that we previewed during last year’s Steam Next Fest. The first game was well received in our newsroom due to its intriguing premise and playability. Since then, we at Gamereactor have closely followed every step of the development of the sequel, until we have now reached this point where the monkey writing this text has to start observing other “prisoners”.
Do Not Feed the Monkeys 2099 In this game, you delve into the world of the Primate Observation Club, a secret society that, ironically, has given you a membership you inherited from your late uncle. As a member, it is your duty to observe and investigate (never interact with – it is strictly prohibited) a wide variety of people, who you spy on using hidden cameras placed in their homes or workplaces. Your mission is to carefully document specific moments in their lives and uncover their ‘authentic selves’ within the confines of their personal ‘cage’ – the term we use to describe every screen controlled from our computers. Prepare to spend countless hours in front of the screen and dive into the depths of their existence.
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Up to this point the title is the same as in the original. But then hunger and fatigue set in, and a group of sharply dressed people start knocking on your door demanding payment for a weekly debt. Yes, now the management of resources, including your own time, health and finances, takes on a much more important role. You have to find a balance between the daily observation tasks, maintain a balanced diet, establish a good sleep cycle and take odd jobs to maintain your finances. The balance of needs begins to decline rapidly. Suddenly, you also have to look after yourself when watching over the monkeys, and this extra responsibility can be quite stressful, especially in the first attempts.
I have said “attempt” because even though there is an easy mode that makes managing the resources easier, there is still a possibility of failing the mission. The key is to fully immerse yourself in the monitoring experience, use all your senses and focus intensely on the screen. In some cages you have to uncover hidden details right in front of you, while in other cages you have to participate in long conversations or listen to the subjects’ introspective conversations. In some cases, you have to do investigative work by piecing together new information with terms you hear in the cages. There will be whole days where nothing of significance happens, and other times you may miss an important event because the activity in a particular cage only lasts a few seconds. It can be frustrating to miss such moments, but it’s a deliberate part of the game’s design cycle since it’s impossible to monitor everyone at once.
To make matters worse, the number of cages to monitor and the progression increases every five days, and it costs money. If you do not reach the specified cage target, you will be expelled from the Club and the game is over. However, you have “luck” on your side, because even in the future there are crap jobs available that will give you the opportunity to earn extra money. In addition, there are bonuses for completing the Club’s “Observation Studies”.
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However, the real magic of DNFTM 2099 undoubtedly lies in the intricate stories surrounding each primate, and the myriad directions each playthrough can take, ensuring that no two experiences are the same. The game offers several unlockable ending variants, and has a satirical tone that effectively illuminates various aspects of today’s society. Have you ever wondered what it’s like for a revolutionary streamer for hire to take down their bosses? Prepare to meet dedicated beer brewers, workaholic lizards, blank stares in the empty room and alien psychologists with identity crises. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. As if that wasn’t enough, DNFTM 2099 introduces a new tool called Omni-Pal, which enhances the possibilities of dialogue and uncovers new tracks in each cage.
A potential disadvantage is that the sequel is close to the original game, both in terms of the game systems and the first hours, where you may not fully understand what to do or the most optimal way to do it. While the learning experience is undoubtedly part of the game’s charm, it can be enough to leave beginners so frustrated that they want to quit the game.
For the past few days, I’ve been completely hooked on Do Not Feed the Monkeys 2099, and I think part of the reason is that, like the game’s protagonist, we all spend most of the day glued to a screen, working remotely. This meta-like experience has really helped me dive into the game and connect with the monkeys (I know, I know, I shouldn’t but…), but it’s also because the game is so incredibly well-balanced, immersive and full of possibilities that it is impossible not to be glued to the screen. It’s another success for the Spanish developers, a sequel that enriches and expands on the original in just the right ways, making it well worth a try.
2023-05-29 15:00:00
#Feed #Monkeys #Anmeldelse
