Game Review: Hidden Agenda

Developed by Supermassive Entertainment, Hidden Agenda is a similar style of game to the studios prior titles. Intended to be part of PlayStation's new PlayLink lineup, this interactive drama follows a collection of key characters within the law enforcement division as they seek to track down and capture a known serial killer known as the Trapper. 

From a narrative standpoint, I both liked and dislike the set up of the game story. It was nice to see Supermassive take on a more grounded and non-supernatural concept for their interactive dramas. It's fair to say their more well known for Until Dawn, Dark Pictures and The Quarry but I'll always recognise when the studio are trying to do something different. The more grounded approach can definitely be felt here and while the themes and concepts being displayed are notably different; their execution isn't all that clear however. With the concept of a quick-play party game, it makes sense to have the game run for a short period but this means the pacing of the games events feels too quick and you'll be hard pressed to find many scenes which leave all that lasting an impression.

As with any other Supermassive title, the main selling point of the game is the interactive element of the story. Your actions (Or inaction) throughout the game can have a notable impact on the flow of the game's narrative and determine how your game may end for good or bad. Where this title differs is in it's scope and output. As it was introduced as part of the PlayLink lineup, the controller is in fact your mobile phone and the core principle of the gameplay encourages this to be a game played by a large group of friends. The more people you have playing the game, the more interesting it comes across, as players can overturn certain decisions or take sole control for themselves. It's a very compelling way spice up the typical control scheme for these games, but I can't help but feel the functionality feels notably limited and superficial. I think with a bit more time and consideration the functionality behind the party set up of this game could have been more engaging.

Despite the repercussions of it's scope and size however, there is some glimmer of entertainment in Hidden Agenda. The story does drastically alter based on your decisions and that sense of replayability is something Supermassive has always nailed. It's just a shame this game is hindered by it's gimmick more than supported by it.