Dry Drowning

Reviewing (mostly) every game (or DLC) in my library, part 36: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/10 [i] Dry Drowning [/i] is an Italian psychological visual novel and detective thriller developed by Studio V, set in a dark, dystopian future. It blends visual novel storytelling with investigation gameplay, moral choices, and a very noir-meets-cyberpunk aesthetic. You play as Mordred Foley, a disgraced private investigator haunted by his failures and morally gray choices. The story kicks off when a series of killings by a serial killer named Pandora begins, echoing cases Mordred failed to solve years ago. Set in the oppressive city-state of Nova Polemos, the game tackles themes of fascism, redemption, psychological trauma, and identity, while forcing you to make difficult moral decisions along the way. Overall, Dry Drowning is a flawed but ambitious cyber-noir mystery. It tries to say something meaningful about guilt, fascism, and justice—and it mostly succeeds. While it lacks polish in places, the moral weight of its decisions, its bleak setting, and its stylish presentation make it stand out in a crowded visual novel space. 🍷 [b] Pros: [/b] [list] [*] Compelling noir/cyberpunk setting: The world of Nova Polemos is gritty, politically unstable, and hauntingly atmospheric. [*] Heavy moral choices with consequences: Your decisions truly shape the narrative, including who lives, who dies, and what kind of person Mordred becomes. There are three endings, all drastically different. [*] Investigation gameplay: Beyond dialogue choices, you’ll examine crime scenes, interrogate suspects, and deduce who’s lying. It’s light in terms of mechanics but adds a nice layer of interactivity. [*] Psychological horror elements: The game visually distorts when characters lie (like showing grotesque masks), adding to the intensity and unease. There's a surreal, unhinged quality that fits the tone. [*] Original art style: Character designs are sharp, bold, and unique. Backgrounds are bleak but visually interesting, enhancing the dystopian mood. [*] Strong themes: Identity, authoritarianism, guilt, and personal responsibility are all explored with surprising nuance. [*] Cool (and apt!) title. The phrase dry drowning refers to a person who suffocates without water actually entering the lungs—a slow, invisible suffocation. It’s a potent metaphor for living under repression, choking on regret and guilt, and slowly being undone by a system or your own conscience. [*] Wonderful Greek allusions and characterization. Mordred Foley: the Cursed Knight, famously the traitorous son (or nephew) of King Arthur in Arthurian legend. His rebellion leads to the fall of Camelot, and in many versions, he deals the fatal blow to Arthur—but dies himself in the process. [*] Our Mordred Foley also has a past steeped in failure and betrayal. He destroyed his own Camelot and just like the mythological Mordred, is a symbol of self-destruction. Arthurian Mordred is a knight without honor. Foley is a detective—a kind of modern knight, tasked with uncovering truth and protecting the innocent—but he’s disgraced. This twisted mirror of the noble knight archetype reflects the game's core themes: moral ambiguity, redemption, and decay. [*] We also have Hera Kairis: the Disillusioned Queen. Hera, in Greek mythology, is the queen of the gods, the goddess of marriage and family—but she’s also jealous, vengeful, and wounded by Zeus’s betrayals. Hera in [i] Dry Drowning [/i] is Mordred’s partner and lover (based on your choices), and her name choice ties into multiple levels. First, justice and loyalty. Mythological Hera often punishes those who wrong her or break sacred vows. In the game, Hera is committed to justice in her own way—but her loyalty to Mordred is strained by his past sins and ongoing flaws. [*] She, however, is no sidekick. She’s sharp, moral, and frequently more principled than Mordred. Her name subtly emphasizes her role as a moral compass, but one who struggles with the emotional and ethical toll of the world around her. The ancient cycles of power, vengeance, and tragedy are still playing out in a futuristic setting. [*] Pandora: The name of the serial killer comes from the woman in Greek mythology who opened a box (or jar) and released all the evils of the world. The killer sees society as corrupt and wants to "reveal the truth," no matter the cost. Like the myth, the murders leave destruction in their wake, but also, potentially, hope. [*] Nova Polemos. The city’s name is also loaded. "Nova" = new, and "Polemos" = Greek for war. So: New War. Fitting for a dystopian society simmering with unrest, resistance, and moral battles. [/list] 💻 [b] Cons: [/b] [list] [*] Stiff writing and translation quirks: While the story is strong, the English localization is awkward at times. Some dialogue can feel clunky or overly expositional. [*] Pacing issues: The game occasionally drags, especially in scenes heavy with lore or exposition. Balancing action, investigation, and narrative tension could be tighter. [*] Limited gameplay depth: The investigation mechanics are serviceable but simplistic—more visual novel than detective sim. [*] Edginess overload: Some players may find the tone a bit too grimdark or melodramatic, especially in how characters are written or how trauma is presented. [/list]