While the game isn’t episodic, it feels like playing through an abridged version of the game that is. Really, I felt like it could have been even shorter with some of the tedious Mind Palace puzzles when Sam is panicking cut with no repercussions to my enjoyment of the game. Twin Mirror is fairly lengthy for a game of its genre, at around five and a half hours for a single playthrough, but it doesn’t use that time wisely. No single character or plot point is given enough time to really develop, so as the game approached its denouement I was more so struck with a feeling of “oh, we’re already at the end” rather than anticipating the conclusion. These interactions are still very interesting, and have various choices attached to them, but likewise feel rushed. Once Sam finds the dead body, however, the game goes into overdrive hurrying you from place to place with clues feeling glossed over as the narrative largely focuses on Sam’s inner turmoil and the dynamic between him, his alter ego, and his ex-girlfriend Anna. Initially, Twin Mirror seems like it will be a slow burn, introducing all the characters and their quirks at the wake. These are an interesting twist on Dontnod’s tried and true adventure game formula, but the game doesn’t give them the time they need to shine. While his other personality can help with social situations and big choices, the Mind Palace allows Sam to accurately recreate past events or construct delicate plans in his head. His investigation will lead him all over town as he discovers an even greater conspiracy than simple murder, and his alter ego (simply refered to as “Him”) will give him advice and alternate perspectives along the way. Naturally everyone blames the loss of their jobs on Sam, so the whole of Basswood hates his guts, and having a possible murder on his conscience would be a bad look, to say the least. In Twin Mirror, you play as Sam a former journalist for the local newspaper who left town two years ago after publishing an article that got the town’s mine shut down. After a night getting blackout drunk at his best friend’s wake and discovering his shirt is covered in blood, he’ll need to utilize his alter ego and the Mind Palace to the fullest to discover who was murdered, why, and if he killed them.
This alter ego, along with the ability to visualize events and memories in his Mind Palace, helps him externalize his thoughts. While some may turn to drinking or drugs, Sam has an imaginary friend. The world is a scary place, so we find coping mechanisms to help us through every day.
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