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The crime thriller genre is a staple in the world of adventure games, offering endless mysteries and opportunities for developers to craft compelling narratives. Quantic Dream’s Heavy Rain stands out with its pervasive atmosphere of suspense and dread. Its mystery, multiple choices, and deceptive storytelling contributed to its immense success. After playing Supermassive Games’ Hidden Agenda, the creators of Until Dawn, I experienced a similar sense of intrigue.

A Short, but Powerful Thriller

Briefly introduced at E3 2017, Hidden Agenda emerged as a surprise during the pre-show, particularly because of its innovative use of Sony’s PlayLink feature for the PlayStation 4. PlayLink allows 2-6 players to interact with the game using their smartphones instead of Dualshock 4 controllers. Hidden Agenda, though utilizing this new feature, proves to be more than just a casual experience. Supermassive Games demonstrates that even a shorter game can pack a powerful punch.

Hidden Agenda – Gameplay

While its 3-hour playtime may not satisfy seasoned adventure gamers accustomed to the length of Until Dawn or Heavy Rain, Hidden Agenda demonstrates that quality can come in smaller packages. The PlayLink integration significantly enhances the overall experience.

Social Deduction and Thrilling Gameplay

Building on the unexpected communal success of Until Dawn, Supermassive Games uses PlayLink to create an engaging social experience. The story follows Detective Becky Marney and her partner as they apprehend a suspect linked to a series of brutal murders known as “The Trapper.” However, the story truly begins when lawyer Felicity Graves is hired to investigate the case and exonerate the suspect.

Unlike Until Dawn, Life is Strange, or Heavy Rain, Hidden Agenda doesn’t offer free-roaming exploration. Instead, players sit and experience tense moments, deducing clues and uncovering the truth within the given scenarios. The concise playtime keeps the narrative tight and focused, avoiding unnecessary padding.

Hidden Agenda – Crime Scene Investigation

The dialogue choices are well-written, and the plot twists effectively keep players guessing. While the pacing becomes slightly rushed towards the end, impacting some of the concluding moments, the character development remains compelling, allowing players to connect with the characters and their motivations.

PlayLink: A Game Changer

With two or more players, Hidden Agenda poses questions before each chapter, such as “who is the most trustworthy?” or “who is the most perceptive?” Players vote using their smartphones, and the game proceeds based on the majority vote. However, players can override the group’s decision with a “Take Over” card if they believe their choice is superior. This collaborative decision-making process, fueled by discussion and persuasion, elevates the game’s social aspect, capturing the spirit of PlayLink.

Hidden Agenda – Tense Moments

Short mini-games, such as finding clues in a scene or navigating a path to avoid traps, add further engagement. These aren’t merely cosmetic additions; they impact the narrative and keep players on their toes.

Replayability and Multiplayer

Hidden Agenda offers significant replay value, even surpassing Until Dawn in some ways, with branching storylines that lead to surprising outcomes. While the game focuses on a single culprit, replaying reveals different facets of the characters and their involvement. Although chapter select isn’t available, requiring a full replay to explore different paths, the distinct narrative branches make it worthwhile.

Beyond the single-player campaign, Hidden Agenda features a multiplayer mode where players collaborate to find clues and deduce the identity of a hidden killer among them.

Stunning Visuals and Immersive Audio

The game’s visuals, powered by Unreal Engine 4, are impressive. Detailed character models, realistic facial animations, and effective lighting contribute to a captivating atmosphere. The environments, ranging from desolate neighborhoods and ominous cabins to abandoned orphanages, are meticulously crafted and play a crucial role in the narrative.

Hidden Agenda – Atmospheric Environment

The voice acting, soundtrack, and sound design are equally commendable. The diverse cast delivers convincing performances, capturing the nuances of each character’s personality. The environmental sounds and music enhance the suspense and amplify the emotional impact of key scenes.

Hidden Agenda – Key Art

Conclusion

Despite its shorter playtime, Hidden Agenda offers a gripping narrative, engaging gameplay, and high production values. The innovative use of PlayLink transforms the game into a compelling social experience, perfect for gatherings with friends and family. While a few minor shortcomings prevent it from reaching the heights of Until Dawn, Hidden Agenda remains a worthy addition to the crime thriller genre and a must-try for PlayStation 4 owners.