After wrapping up the tentacled chaos of Carrion, I switched gears to something a bit more low-key – Nobody Wants to Die. This one’s a slick, futuristic noir set in a neon-lit New York City where immortality comes at a price. You play as Detective James Karra, armed with some cool high-tech gadgets like the Reconstructor, which lets you rewind and piece together crime scenes like a futuristic crime solver.
The story’s all about murder, mystery, and a creepy voice in your head (or is it?), with dialogue choices that actually matter and a couple of endings to keep things spicy. The puzzles are easy enough not to make you want to throw your controller, but clever enough to keep your brain buzzing. Plus, it’s short enough that you won’t get sucked into a black hole of gameplay… unless that’s your jam.
So if you’re after a quick, stylish trip into cyberpunk noir without the long haul, Nobody Wants to Die might just be your new fave.
What is Nobody Wants to Die?
Picture this: New York City, way in the future, where people live forever by swapping bodies like it’s a subscription service. You’re Detective James Karra, armed with fancy tech to check out crime scenes and piece together what really went down. It’s a chill mix of sci-fi noir vibes, easy puzzles, and choices that change the story – perfect if you want something quick but still clever.
Nobody Wants to Die Review – Noir Detective Drama Meets Sci-Fi Weirdness
⚡️ First Impressions
After the meat-mashing madness of Carrion, I needed something a bit less… chewy. Enter Nobody Wants to Die – a slick, story-heavy detective game that basically said, “What if Blade Runner, but everyone’s immortal and deeply unwell?” I wasn’t expecting to love it – noir isn’t usually my go-to – but next thing I knew, I’d played it twice, stared into a bunch of glitchy memories, and unlocked the platinum trophy like some kind of pixel-powered Sherlock. Let’s dive into the high-tech murder mess.
🕵️♀️ Story & Setting
Welcome to New York City, 2329 – where death’s been ghosted and the rich live forever by uploading their consciousness to new bodies on demand. It’s like swapping skins in a video game, except the subscription cost probably includes your soul. You play as James Karra, a detective who literally just got stapled into a new body after a near-death experience. Naturally, his first case is full of coverups, creepy elites, and that classic noir feeling of “trust no one, especially yourself.”
It’s all future tech wrapped in 1920s detective vibes. Think flying cars, neon skyscrapers, and trench coats that are somehow still cool 300 years later.
Screenshot taken on PS5 – © Critical Hit Games / Plaion
🔎 Gameplay & Investigation
You’re not out here doing somersaults or blasting aliens. This is a sit-back-and-scan kind of game. You’ll be poking around crime scenes, scanning for clues with your trusty Reconstructor (think sci-fi security cam rewind), UV lights, X-ray tools, and more. Then you slap everything on an evidence board and do some light thinking – no brain-bending riddles, just “hmm yes, that blood spatter does seem suspicious” energy.
It’s more feel like a genius without sweating than pull out a notebook and cry.
🗣️ Characters & Dialogue
James Karra is your gruff, broody lead, but he’s got Sara Kai chirping in his earpiece like your moral compass with sass. You get some dialogue choices that shape the journey and change how people react to you. And yes, there are two endings – so if you like a bit of mystery sprinkled with existential dread, it’s worth a replay.
No, you’re not grilling suspects L.A. Noire style. It’s more about connecting the dots than cracking skulls with questions.
🌆 Visuals & Atmosphere
This game is a whole vibe. Imagine if noir got dunked in neon and set loose in a rain-soaked future – jazz bars, glitchy memories, and a whole lotta mood lighting. It’s sleek and cinematic, and while some bits of the world feel a little underpopulated, the drama is strong enough to carry the emptier spaces.
Plus, that soundtrack? 🔥 It’s like melancholy piano met cyber-jazz in a dark alley and made something beautiful.
🕒 Difficulty & Length
Short kings rise – this one’s done in a few sittings. It’s perfect for gamers who want a juicy story without committing to 60 hours of open-world chaos. You’ll breeze through the puzzles and walk away with a platinum trophy if you’re even mildly persistent. Honestly? It’s the ideal summer game. A little spooky, a little moody, but you can still touch grass in between sessions.
Screenshot taken on PS5 – © Critical Hit Games / Plaion
🎮 Final Thoughts
Nobody Wants to Die isn’t trying to be a brain-busting masterpiece. It’s here to give you a noir-flavoured mystery dipped in neon and existential dread, all wrapped up in a neat futuristic bow. The story’s cool, the world’s weird in the best way, and the vibes? Immaculate.
Would I play it again? Already did.
Would I recommend it? If you like Blade Runner but wish it had a puzzle mode, absolutely.
Did I accidentally start questioning my own mortality halfway through? Maybe. Shhhh.
🕵️♂️ Where to Buy Nobody Wants to Die
Nobody Wants to Die is available now on:
- PlayStation 5 (via the PlayStation Store)
- Xbox Series X|S (through the Microsoft Store)
- PC (on Steam)
💸 It’s usually priced around £20, but definitely keep your eyes peeled for sales – it’s the kind of game that sneaks into a discount when you least expect it. No add-ons, no DLC, just a full story-driven experience wrapped in neon noir weirdness.
Perfect for a weekend of futuristic detective-ing without breaking the bank.
It’s single-player only and runs like a dream on current-gen consoles – and yep, that ray-traced rainy neon does look as good as it sounds.
Screenshot taken on PS5 – © Critical Hit Games / Plaion
🧠 People Also Asked: Nobody Wants to Die Edition
We see you, search bar detectives. You’ve got questions – and we’ve got answers. Whether you’re deciding if this stylish sci-fi murder mystery is worth your time or just wondering how long it’ll take to platinum, here’s the lowdown on the most Googled queries:
🔍 Is Nobody Wants to Die worth it?
If you’re into story-heavy games with stylish vibes, futuristic crime scenes, and light puzzling (without the brain-melters), then yes – it’s worth it. Especially if you’re after something short, immersive, and a bit noir without needing a walk-through every five minutes.
🏃 Is Nobody Wants to Die a walking simulator?
Not quite. While it is first-person and fairly chill in pace, there’s way more going on than just walking. You’ll scan crime scenes, reconstruct events, mess around with x-ray and UV gadgets, and make some big story decisions. Think of it more like detective-lite than pure walking sim.
🎮 Is Nobody Wants to Die on Xbox One?
Nope – it’s a new-gen exclusive. You’ll need a PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or a PC to play this one. Sorry, Xbox One sleuths!
🧾 How many endings are in Nobody Wants to Die?
There are two main endings, and your choices – both in dialogue and how you handle key moments – determine which one you get. If you’re a trophy hunter or just need narrative closure, it’s totally replayable.
⏱️ How long is Nobody Wants to Die?
It’s a short one! Most players will finish it in 4–6 hours, depending on how thorough you are with your investigations. Two playthroughs are needed for all trophies, but it’s not a huge time sink – ideal for a chill weekend game.
🕵️ Final Thoughts: Nobody Wants to Die… but we did enjoy it
Nobody Wants to Die might be short and sweet, but it’s stylish, moody, and leaves you with just enough brain-itch to keep you thinking once the credits roll. If you’re in the mood for a bite-sized noir mystery with a splash of sci-fi and just enough weirdness to keep things spicy – this one’s for you.
Whether you’re trophy hunting, taking in the vibes, or just vibing with your futuristic trench coat, it’s the kind of game that slots nicely into a weekend and doesn’t overstay its welcome.
Now excuse us while we polish our Reconstructor and dramatically stare out of a rain-soaked window 🖤