Hotel Dusk - The Mystery Game that Changed my Life

[@Moffattt]

games with this amount of quality in its writing are few and far between. its a shame the studio went out of business

[@verity_amo]

One of their other game series Another Code is actually getting a remaster on the switch soon! Theyre might be hope for Cing and Kyle Hyde yet...

[@Moffattt]

@@verity_amo im gonna have to take a look at that one. thx for sharing

[@orangejuice782]

man, hearing that really sucks :( i mean, a hypothetical switch port WOULD have lost tons of the charm since almost no games actually utilize the touchscreen, but just the premise from the intro got me wanting to play it unspoiled!!

[@Redblaze27]

@@orangejuice782 They'd be better doing a remake that use uses the original art assets. You know, rework platform specific gimmicks to work on all available platforms but otherwise touch things as little as possible.

[@mistersayless323]

They went out of business?! NOOOO I just found out about this game and I LOVE IT

[@birdup1_2]

My favorite part of Hyde’s character is that despite him being a real piece of work, and a jerk to everyone around him, he has a very strong moral compass.

[@leritykay8911]

8:26 I like that you can actually see the packages getting mixed up in real time. Louie asks Kyle to "Hold this for a moment" implying that he isn't handing Kyle his package, Kyle's package is probably at the bottom of the stack., and Louie just needs to get to it. But then they strike up a conversation, and Kyle ends up holding onto that package. I love details like that

[@shooshydooshy]

Fun fact! That puzzle that requires you to flip two switches at once (21:31) actually can be done in emulator, though it's really tricky. The DS screen didn't have support for multi-touch, so the devs sneakily emulated it by working out how the console would detect "touch" if you used both fingers: it'd first detect touch on one of the sides, then quickly jump to the middle of the screen, a bit below the switches, so the game looks for that. You could technically simulate this by clicking very fast around the screen in the emulator, though I believe some emulators now allow you to simulate this with two clicks. P smart though!

[@devyl6804]

What about android DS emulator?

[@iwannaseehowlongyoucanmakethis]

@@devyl6804 just use two fingers like you would on an actual ds

[@W0Rd0n32sTre3T]

​@@devyl6804I assume you would just touch both switches at once lol

[@POP-nm1ix]

​​@@devyl6804Pretty sure you can find a solution in the settings That's how I did it back then. Or continously flipping between the two switches every second. I remember someone did that as well.

[@mateuszaszczyk8102]

You can also do it by pausing the emulation while holding down your left mouse button. When you unpause it, the input will still be there and you can do it multiple times consecutively. At least that's how it works on melonDS.

[@moxienerd4714]

the fact that none of the people you meet are doing bad things just for the sake of doing bad things really gets to me. like, so many stories don't do that, but in reality, people don't do things like blackmail or crime just for the hell of it. there are some people who have reasons that are still morally wrong, sure, but a vast majority of them do have understandable reasons. maybe not justifiable in every case, but understandable. doing morally incorrect things to survive or save a loved one are just infinitely more realistic as character motivations

[@laurice1285]

I didn't expect this game to give heavy emotional stories to his side characters, the one side story that hurt me the most was helen story. Like, MAN, my heart got hurt!!

[@zacharynguyen7286]

Hope you’re doing good and staying safe. If you need to talk to someone or need help, there are people who care. Sending support and hearts. ❤❤❤

[@morwe_]

this is how you compliment a game without giving spoilers, thank you

[@laurice1285]

@@morwe_ I dunno if that's sarcasm or not.. But no problem my dude!!

[@sussus4586]

You gotta love it when a game just STABS you in the heart and then stitches it up.

[@morwe_]

@@laurice1285 OH NO sorry it isnt sarcasm, im genuinely happy, i just saw like 10 compliments that were spoilers earlier and wrote that, mb.

[@melvisgreymystery1433]

Ben covering Hotel Dusk ? And it's an hour long ? What a treat 🖤

[@mrturtle8579]

HO! Tell dusk!

[@Jolfgard]

26:44 And this is the beauty of the game. The way people start to open up to each other as the mystery unfolds has a truly unique charme.

[@KevinHoulihanMykal]

Hotel Dusk and Flower, Sun, and Rain were two of my favorite games on the DS as they were both the sort of weird, experimental mystery games you rarely get to see.

[@Lotus-Son]

Thanks for the inadvertent recommendation of Flower, Sun, and Rain! I played hotel dusk when it first came out and it’s still one of my favorite games all-time. Even played the sequel but wanted to find another game like this.

[@Toxic-Pyro]

I played this game around a year or 2 ago and I’ve consistently thought about it since. I really wish the sequel released in North America. Maybe now that the Trace Memory games are getting remade Hotel Dusk might be next, but also I don’t think anything should be done to “update” the graphics. It’s perfect the way it is

[@therobotfromirobot]

Another Code R: Journey of Lost Memories (I don't know what the american name for the sequel to Trace Memory would be (it was called another code here), I played in the PAL region) is one of the most interesting games I've ever played. Not really in terms of complexity, but there are some beautifully written characters in it. And some very, very strange choices in game design and writing that I can't wait for people to experience firsthand

[@Jolfgard]

I didn't even know that Last Window didn't release in NA, because it did in Europe. You should look if you could emulate it or something. It's worth it.

[@NarutoOrganisation13]

I would support a graphic update if it's higher quality scans of the original media.

[@000mjd]

Yeah I'm totally in if limited themself to only upgrade the "visuals" but keeping most of things the same, meanwhile I'm gratefull the whole "Remake" trestment another code it's recieving i dont think that's could fit with Hotel Dusk, for example i dont think voice acting would be necesary

[@foamia]

Hey, if you want to play it I can help!

[@follysfolly]

the blacklight thing legitimately prevented me from beating this game when i first played through it a long time ago! i was on a 3ds, which apparently makes it effectively impossible to see the number even with screen tilting. unfortunate, but it was still a really great experience up to that point, so it's neat seeing it covered on a channel like yours!

[@Lucas-zp8ij]

As someone who played a month or two ago, same. I ended up brute-forcing the correct number.

[@Ariete98]

THERE ARE DIFFERENT ENDINGS? Damn, I have to find my DS right now. I also wanted to say thank you, I hadn't thought about this game in so many years and now everything is coming back, it truly was a masterpiece

[@alexisw.717]

I got this game as a Christmas gift many many years ago when I was a child, far too young to truly understand or appreciate it. I remember finding it interesting but difficult and eventually gave up on it entirely, so over the years it became a vague memory. My brother and I both tried finding it again but the only thing we could remember about it was it being a mystery game that took place in a hotel. When this video popped up in my recommended, I felt a sense of familiarity and on whim decided to watch it. I seriously cannot express the joy I felt when the memory of this being that long lost game came to me during the part with the bell at the front desk. It might be silly to say over a random youtube video on a 16 year old game, but it truly felt like fate for me to find this. Not only did I get to solve a multi-year long mystery, I actually got to see how wonderful the game was and its ending (considering I had no chance of beating it when I had it lol) 💖

[@hylwicks]

Something about you saying nitrorad was your hero really connected with me and it made me realize why I love your channel so much. You remind me very much of James in how you are passionate and have a clear love of the range of games you talk about, I love listening to you talk about your thoughts on a game and how it makes you feel. Something about this video and seeing your channel grow really tugs at my heartstrings in a good way, I really hope you are able to do this full time as a comfortable job, there's no one I would rather wish that for right now than you, I really love your videos they mean a lot to me

[@Karmabud-Sirius]

It feels unreal to see a video about hotel dusk. I played this game when I was very young. I took a long time to finish it. I loved some moments like seeing Hyde appreciate Rosa's meals so much, I would reset just to rewatch them. The art inspired me a lot and I'm currently studying 2D animation. I think of nothing but happiness when I think about this game. And I'm so glad to have a great video I can now happily rewatch when I miss thinking about it. ❤❤❤

[@kiraina25]

I think this might have been the first game I've encountered that made use of what I like to call "food porn" - the in-depth descriptions of every sensation of Kyle enjoying his food and that whiskey is just spectacular. Not the last, but I think genuinely the first.

[@Karmabud-Sirius]

@@kiraina25 I totaly understand ! It's so fun you would mention this. I remember loving the lunch scene so much I would replay it 2/3 times by reloading my save. I don't quite remember why I loved It so much, or found It so satisfying, but it was ❤️

[@Karmabud-Sirius]

Ahah ! Just realized I already said that in the first comment, sorry I posted it a while ago ❤️

[@Lunnaabee]

Nice to watch Ben and get some snacks and enjoy this hour long ride. Thank you Ben!!!

[@RoanRetro]

I found this game in an antique store for $5 shopping around with my mom when I was younger and loved every second of it. nothing else on the DS I've played has ever felt so engaging and I remember getting stuck on the "Put flour on the pen" part for ages.

[@SIMIFU]

Seeing as how both trace memory games are getting remakes, lets hope Hotel dusk can happen as well. I do hope that they keep this same style of animation though, its really unique.

[@imthecoolestguyalive]

Five minutes into the video, and I already want to point out one of the things I always appreciate about creators like you. The acting. Even when you simply retell the events, you act out the tone, you let out this chuckle when talking about someone laughing, speak strictly when mentioning someone leaving, it all makes at least this video so much more immersive and pleasant. It's a little bit of extra effort, but it really goes a long way.

[@Duskof81]

Hotel Dusk has to be one of my all time favorites and I make a point to replay it every holiday season. It's beautiful story, complex characters and the rotoscopic artstyle mixed with an incredible jazzy ost creates an experience that is one-of-a-kind. I can't tell you how much happiness it brings me to see someone sharing their experiences with it.

[@anonchick4789]

I replay every holiday season too!

[@mandalorianhunter1]

I found you earlier this year and I'm glad to be spending time with you close to Halloween. I love you going back and revealing information on old RPG maker games that I grew up with. You are awesome

[@AlannaArtroid]

I can tell how much you love this game, and I can see why. I'm holding back tears after this. What an emotional and amazing journey this was. Wonderful work here, Ben. If you ever cover the sequel, I'd love to hear it.

[@Nixahma]

The art style and "notebook" usage of the 3ds piqued my interest so much that I quit watching at 6 minutes in and digitally bought a copy. Waiting for it to ship to me now, very excited to play and watch this video after!

[@verity_amo]

So glad such an underrated gem is being covered!! I can't even begin to describe how much I love this game, and I'm so happy one of CING's other games is getting a remaster on Switch soon... let's hope the Kyle Hyde saga gets the same treatment.

[@dako_pako_]

Waking up to Ben Again? Today is gonna be a good day 😌🙏🙏

[@echothesilent4693]

Simp

[@RigPhos]

I honestly expected them to solve every mystery like that one with Alan Parker, I guess it's a nice suprise and it brings some realism. I'm hoping you'll cover Another Code sometime in the future, with the remake on the way there's no better time than the present lol

[@orangejuice4910]

I’m glad your ao oni video blew up, ever since you posted the first boogeyman video I knew you’d make it. Amazing storytelling, you deserve this.

[@GirlWIthMarkers]

I'm blessed to have a hard copy of BOTH of these games and it's so awesome to see someone covering this fantastic story! Subscribed for sure.

[@liyrical]

not me watching this joking about bradley being kyle’s ex-boyfriend only to be slam dunked by that last letter. i actually ended up crying

[@nobodycares5050]

I swear Kyle had some feelings for him

[@bee-cant-think]

yeah, no man is going that far just for a work partner they have to have been romantically involved with each other

[@blklightning21]

​@@bee-cant-thinkdo you not have any close friends that you think of like brothers? Not every close male relationship means gay

[@katerinagagne1809]

@@blklightning21it's gay as hell!!!!!!

[@bee-cant-think]

⁠@@blklightning21i am fully aware of that BUT i have a highly tuned gaydar and i *know* deep in my soul that these two are very very gay for each other also bold of you to assume i have friends

[@pilzjager]

A friend sent me this saying "someone made a bideo on that game you like" lol. Good to see that more and more people seem to like it over time, this game and Last Window have been with me for well over 10 years now and I still come back to it every now and then, I was so happy for Kanasaki-san when he got to announce that he worked on the remake of the Another Code games, also games I very much cherish. Would be amazing to see Kyle with some new shine and polish but I wonder how they'd preserve the rotoscoping feature that made it so unique to begin with..

[@ppom]

I was gonna say "No Zero Escape mention at the beginning???" but then I scrolled to the description and saw the Zero Escape music. Based as hell.

[@diexbag7637]

Weirdly specific comment, but if anyone wants to try to emulate this game, that one puzzle isn't *quite* impossible, I managed to do it by flipping one switch, pausing the emulator, moving my cursor to the other and immediately flipping it when unpausing. Also, the sequel is just as good

[@gatochick14]

Man, I can't tell you how many times I died in the safe room. The day I finally got it I shouted so loud I got my family concerned lmao.

[@miralyk]

oh my gosh, i never expected one of my niche favorites to be covered! down to the amazing visuals and mechanics working with the console so intuitively and the writing, it's a joy to have you discuss hotel dusk :'0!

[@angstqueen9360]

For me, the game that changed my life is Professor Layton. Specifically, Diabolical Box and Unwound Future... Those two changed my life. Got me going with my love of video games, tbh. Even so, I'm excited to see yours!! :D

[@7_wd40]

Fun fact, i solved the puzzle where you have to flip both switchs on emulator by clicking and holding one switch, dragging it to the other and then flipping it up. Did both like a charm

[@bekfstman9841]

I can't believe this was for the same console as Wario Ware DIY

[@unorthodoxbox]

Hotel Dusk is one of those special games I have on my DS, I still own the original copy I got back in the mid 2000s. Finally got to play Last Window in 2013. It only occured to me after my god knows how many playthroughs there are slightly different endings in Hotel Dusk. I need to play this again. I also learned too late during one playthrough on my 3DS that the screen tech had changed from the old DS Lite and as a result I had been sorta softlocked near the end of the game. xD

[@theasecsualjae3186]

This has to be one of the best noir stories I've ever heard. It's all about the characters, there's no big crimes, no murders, just them. Which is great since everyone's written so well and gets their own happy ending. One that feels deserved. It's so much kinder then other mysteries and that makes this stand out so much. I'm glad you showed this to all of us.

[@ashtremble]

Congrats on your incredible growth! You really deserve it, I've been watching since April of this year and I love your videos!

[@fabianrojas8012]

Finally, an essay on my favourite game

[@gh0stkin]

it's so wonderful to hear people talking about Hotel Dusk!!! When I was a kid, it felt like I was the only person in the world who knew about the game. Hearing the OST again in your videos was like a (pleasant) punch in the heart. I still have my physical copies of both Hotel Dusk: Room 215 and Last WIndow: The Secret of Cape West. They are treasures. it's such a shame Kyle will never get the on-screen closure he rightly deserves with Nile and his former partner. i remember lowkey feeling a bit of grief when i found out their studio ran out of business and we'll never see the "real" end of the mystery. but over the years i've come to terms with it and realized that regardless of whether or not the mystery is solved, Kyle is going to heal. underneath his prickly exterior, is a huge capacity for kindness and a sixth sense for meaningful relationships. our boy will be fine.

[@disc9225]

If you liked this game you should try it “Who’s Lila?”! It’s similar in aesthetic and creativity with Hotel Dusk, but with an added touch

[@RedSpade37]

Holy crap, you're right. Same "energy" for sure.

[@aquaticforks7099]

In the hotel dusk sequel there is a puzzle similar to the one in hotel dusk where you need to flip two switches at the same time and since I was emulating that game I could not do it. As a result I slowed the game down to a crawl using the emulator and spammed the switches as much as I could until the game eventually counter both switches as flipped. Also thank you for making a video talking about one of my favorite visual novels of all time

[@hoyhoy852]

>1 hour video essay >look inside >plot summary

[@IBigPrivateDickChinchillaI]

Lmao

[@PinnePon]

So? Sometimes i just wanna listen to someone yap

[@franbh94]

Not me getting anxiety in the first conversations and actually getting a game over when getting notified about the package 💀

[@birchboom1888]

I’m so glad I could learn more about this game! I read about it briefly on Tv Tropes and was mildly interested but didn’t really get the premise, but I’m glad you covered it!

[@cosmos_xd]

How do you make such high quality videos? At this point they aint even videos, just.. Art.

[@kingdomkey6184]

I've heard of this game before, but just seeing that art style is enough to convince me to try it. I'll have to come back and watch the whole video after playing it for myself!

[@siennahartle9069]

I remember playing this game over and over as a kid. There was something about that just kept drawing me back in. I also used to think that this game was part of a series because the details in the world and characters were so fleshed out I thought surely there must’ve been more games before this one

[@shikuren]

Man its crazy that I've watched you since around 10k subs, and that was only a few months ago, you're growing so fast, and its all deserved.

[@babyqeels]

I’ve never been able to beat this game, because my ds screen broke and I never picked up the black light, forever dooming me to die in the cellar😭

[@elinorzollweg]

The fact that I would feel sheer panic when I was on route to a bad end or when redness would flow down a person’s body during an interrogation proves how powerful this game’s storytelling and soundtrack is!

[@starlingeyed]

Honestly I'm so glad this ended up in my recommendeds. My partner and I went to our storage unit today, and on a whim, they grabbed their ds. They opened the case with all their games and read them off, and I recognized the name of this game--one I'd never heard before saving the video to my Watch Later. After we got back, I watched through this and I am determined to play through this game now! My partner didn't even know there was a sequel, so you've definitely made both our days!

[@pants8029]

i bought this game years ago when it was new. Couldn't get into it at the time. I have an old DSi around here somewhere. Thanks for inspiring me to give Hotel Dusk another chance!

[@AndGoatz04]

[Kicks the door down] *_THEY REMASTERED GHOST TRICK ON THE SWITCH_*

[@arcaneScribbler]

I love your videos. I look forward to every one. This has been my introduction to Hotel Dusk, and I loved hearing your passion for it. Very cool!

[@FoofyHeadFreak-sh5uv]

This is day six of binge-watching Ben again and I can tell this ones gonna be a banger

[@shannonlewis2022]

I love this game, but I HATE the escape room puzzle. Killed any desire to replay it because I never wanted to go through that anxiety again.

[@YARGGG_GG]

i played this game on ds long ago and it was great. an amazing layered mystery. i love kyle hyde especially, he's very jaded and sad but a total softie when it comes down to it. "hmph,i guess i'll fix this girl's doll, hmph, i guess i'll tell this kid to make up with his dad, hmph, i guess i'll put up a christmas tree because this girl is sad, hmph, i guess i'll help this old lady who's missing her son." he's not fooling anyone with the grizzled detective bit but we love him for it. his big smile animation, which happens pretty rarely (when he gets the nice dinner from rosa and when he gets a nice drink from louis, i think?), is so charming too. i hope one day this game and its sequel can get a proper rerelease or remake like Another Code. it deserves to be seen by people.

[@MrArcadia2009]

This game (and it's sequel) needs a larger cult following. I played both games, and they had a BIG impact on my life. I got to find a playthrough, it's been too long... But your video gave me an in-depth playthrough, and it's just as I remembered it, Thank you for making this video. The sequel itself is very interesting. The building that Kyle was living in will eventually be demolished. But he receives a mysterious order, about finding an item called the Scarlet star. I can talk more about it you're interested. I got a copy from England. Just like Hotel Dusk, the building he lives in had many secrets, and one secret mentions who killed Kyle's father, Chris Hyde.

[@sparkysparkles5004]

your way of narrating is so engaging to listen to!! i've been binging your videos a lot lately, and i'm so glad to have found your channel c':

[@Red_Spotzz]

You don’t know how much I was in despair when you wouldn’t tell what were the other endings 😭 I GENUINELY LOVED HOW YOU EXPLAINED THIS STORY It was just I don’t know how to explain it but I LOVED it I knew this was going to be good when I couldn’t play my game without always looking back at the video to see everything happening You fully caught my attention with this and I applaud you 👏

[@shadeedo4320]

Congrats on the growth Ben, you're one of the best around and deserve the attention! Keep up the good content!

[@caitl98]

Incredible video - I was so excited when I saw the notification that you uploaded such a long video! This game reminds me of Paranormasight except set in America. A mystery puzzle visual novel where all the characters are connected with a very emotional story behind it. I only knew of Hotel Dusk tangentially through Smash so it was super cool to see someone dig into the game. Can't wait for more videos, I love your narration style and choice of games :)

[@astrogoatz]

This is an utterly amazing game and I am glad to have learnt about it through an amazing video. Congrats on 70k (now almost 80k wow) subscribers Ben! And have a lovely day!!!

[@JesusFollower500]

Finally, a new Ben Again video. Maybe this day wasn't so bad after all.

[@jameskozy7254]

I just beat the game a few days ago and when those credits rolled... man did it hit me. I could gush about how good hotel dusk was. Kyle, the other characters, the music, the artstyle, the story, the little puzzles. Perfect

[@leritykay8911]

Hehe I just love Kyle's head tilt animation, especially when he does it repeatedly. There he go! He dancin!

[@pakistanball7916]

Just wanted to say I was recommended this a while back and while I ignored it then, it popped up on my autoplay and love your style.

[@cinnabunz1532]

I just realized i watched the whole video... holy crap that story hooked me. I need to find a copy of this game

[@TheRealVictorChaos]

this video convinced me to buy hotel dusk and i do not regret it so far (luckily i own a nintendo ds so i can do the folding puzzle and i bought a physical copy as it was cheap at a store near where i live)

[@zeroxlulu]

Man, thanks for talking about this game in such detail. Hotel Dusk was such a huge part of my identity nearly 13 years ago as a freshman in high school. I was obsessed with the story, the characters, the aesthetics, the soundtrack, everything. It kinda sucks that I've never came across a single person who knows of this game irl, so I love to see it still getting a bit of attention after all these years and seeing that others also had a strong attachment to this game.

[@Adam-bi2gk]

I want this same video but with Secret of the cape west, Jesus this was really really good, thank you a lot for giving me this memories about a game that i played like 11 years ago.

[@Stimulacrum]

Hey so for the “impossible puzzle.” It’s not all that impossible, just hard. If you are fast enough with your mouse you can flick both switches and continue on! It took me a lot of attempts but I did get it eventually

[@BaconMageLv0]

I saw a method involving the pause and frame advance features of an emulator: Pause Hold the mouse on one switch, advance one frame Hold the mouse between the switches (which is where a real DS would register if you touched both switches at once), advance one frame Unpause or rapidly advance frames as you slide upwards

[@foamia]

Wonderful video, this is my favourite game. I’ve been obsessed with it since I was 10, now 27. You did an amazing job with this video. ❤

[@cutedragon2303]

The random date being circled kinda spooked me. December 5th is my birthday

[@michibiki6798]

This has really similar vibes to a DS game i loved as a kid called Trace Memory! There's one puzzle in that game that I'll never forget because of the game literally using the physical properties of the DS to solve it. The style is really similar between these games combined with the mystery and puzzles and cool characters so I'm glad to hear about this game so I can play it too! Games like these are always such a treat honestly.

[@emma-rb4sp]

trace memory was produced by the same company and written by the same person, rika suzuki!

[@CrowLady0_0]

always a great time when you upload a video

[@wyrmlight1168]

It's actually so refreshing to hear about a mystery game whose mystery isn't focused entirely on murder for once. I really hope that you cover its sequel at some point in the future if you haven't already.

[@adamcampbell2787]

I absolutely adore all of the little physical gimmicks of this game. So many clever uses of the DS where most games only superficially use those features.

[@seasidewoman]

I am so glad someone made a video about this great and underrated game. Your commentary was excellent 👌🏻

[@ghostiieeseason]

HELL YEAH AN HOUR LONG VIDEO LETS GOOOOOOOOO

[@PinkSoddiePop]

i remember growing up playing this game with no clue about anything. This game is genuinely the coolest piece of underrated media i’ve ever had the pleasure of playing

[@Rye_Smile]

Hotel Dusk is one of my VERY FAVORITE games EVER! I'm so excited to watch this vid!

[@avalancherelapse]

the zero escape ost playing during the room escape sequence is a very nice touch! awesome video!

[@ninski-7353]

This video sums up perfectly how i feel about this game. Ever since i played it for the first time all those years ago, i have always been thinking about it on a regular basis. This game and it's sequel are true masterpieces and i can't even put into words how much they mean to me. I love them so much and i am heartbroken that we will probably never get another game like that ever again. Those games deserve so much more recognition for the brilliant writing, all the details and the way everything ties in together at the end. I will forever cherish them and i hope that maybe, one day the story gets picked up again so we will get a final game and conclusion to the story.

[@still_salty]

how did I not get notified for this??? ahh this is so great though! I always enjoy your content, and your voice is nice to listen to while I work so thank you for all the work you put into your videos. Also congrats on the multiple sub milestones! you absolutely deserve it and more

[@ruggiebuggie3195]

There are very few games I “love”. But this is one of them. I was just the right age when I played this when it came out and had the game card with me since. Just revisited this game after many years. Now, as a 32 year old man, I still think this game is amazing. The dialogue is so flavorful, the visuals fit the tone of the writing, you feel the characters and it’s so interesting to figure them out. The mystery is perfectly paced and everything fits together well. Even in my recent re-visit, I felt something at the end, not nostalgia, but something the story meant to give. It’s my favorite DS game, my favorite point-and-click game, my favorite detective game, my favorite story-driven game, my favorite Visual Novel and one of my favorite games ever made.

[@winraw6113]

This unlocked hidden memories I remember having a hacked cartridge and playing this as kid and getting stuck but always returning to it, still never completed the game lol.

[@ryninja5788]

Seeing the DS used on its side in a game like this reminds me of the Nameless Game duology I watched another KZbinr play a long time ago. Wonder if you should give those two a shot at one point?

[@thisisemmalyshandle]

I got recommended your Ao Oni video a couple days ago and since then have watched nearly every video of yours! I was really surprised you didn’t have like 300k subscribers when I watched the ao oni video but I’m sure your gonna get there fast!

[@kenscarpa2318]

The great writing and visual aesthetic aside, what also made this game memorable was the perfect utilization of the DS. The side by side panels, and the use of the stylus. And one puzzle which requires you to close and open the DS was a freakin’ master-stroke. Great game.

[@spacemarine6212]

YOU- YOU CAN'T JUST LEAVE ME BLUEBALLED WITH DUNNING LIKE THIS!

[@Randomturtletalk101]

Hotel Dusk is a game that means a lot to me personally as well. I got a DS pretty soon after it came out and my Aunt did the same. We were both a fan of puzzle games so she got this one and got stumped at one point, lending it to me to see if I could make it as far and figure it out. I did and gave it back to her but at that point, I was too invested to let it go. After she beat it, she gifted it to me and I was free to continue my save file. But enough time passed that I had sort of moved on and it was just an itch in the back of my brain that I needed to circle back to at some point. Years went by and a few years ago as I was moving into a new apartment, I found my DS, the charger, and a couple games. But the first one I popped in was Hotel Dusk. Now being older, I had even more appreciation for the game and was thrilled to finally see how it ended. This game broke my heart and brought me to tears on a few different occasions. I fell in love with all the characters and some of their stories resonated with me deeply as I had gone through some similar scenarios. I didn't want this game to end. It gave me insight on my own personal issues and was a game that was able to bring out a strong emotional response which I hadn't experienced in gaming in a good long while. I look back on this game fondly and it's the reason I will never get rid of my DS. Great vid, happy to see people still talking about this hidden gem. Had no idea there was a sequel and now I'm tracking down a copy, ready to continue the story of Kyle Hyde and become enchanted by a new experience and story. Cheers

[@kaygirl10101]

Another amazing game that took advantage of the DS system mechanics is "Trace Memory". It used closing the system, reflections off the screens, and more to solve the puzzles. It recently got a remake/sequel game on the Switch called "Another Code: Two Memories". While the mechanics aren't as revolutionary, it's still an amazing story for anyone who likes Hotel Dusk. It's also made by Cing as well. Also, there are several references in the remake to Hotel Dusk, so that may indicate that it will soon get a remake.

[@wacky_shuck]

Thank you for sharing this masterpiece of a game. It is so refreshing to see a game utilize the DS Touch Screen in more ways than just "Menu" or "Map"

[@A__random__nerd]

Can't wait for the video on the second game👍

[@Pikmintendo]

As someone else who grew up with Hotel Dusk and even Trace Memory, thank you for giving CING some much needed love, Ben. Its sad they went out of business, but Trace Memory/Another Code and Another Code: R getting remade for switch gives me hope.

[@smarties5033]

ben pookie you finally posted.. it’s as if you knew that i was yearning for you…