Such a good trip down memory lane. For some reason we had this game for NES when I was a kid. I always played it but never really understood what was going on. Years later I finally beat it and I remember feeling so proud of myself for not using any guides.
Recently got done playing through this version on an emulator. It's a pretty decent port, like most of the MacVenture games. I feel at this point, more people know them via their NES ports then original PC versions (especially for Shadowgate). I know an NES port of Deja Vu II was planned, but scrapped. There's quite a few differences in the NES version compared to PC, mainly from censorship and a few other details. Actually, this is censored from the original Japanese famicom version, as this port was made by a Japanese developer, likely due to Nintendo NA's policies at the time. Besides some graphical facelifts, changes include: 1) Removing the blood from Siegel's desk 2) Recolored the blood from shooting the Alligator from red to black 3) Changing the syringe to medical capsules 4) The death screen featured a skull with the words "REST IN PEACE". This was changed to the gravestone, which has the side effect of the spoiling the MC's name if you haven't figured it out already. In terms of changes already present, a lot of them were to streamline gameplay, make things easier, or necessary changes for the hardware. There were also censorship changes present in both Famicom and NES. 1) As mentioned in the description, the time limit from the PC game was removed. I don't know how long it was, but they probably wanted to avoid an unwinnable. I'm told that the forced death at Ace's office if you haven't cured him yet in the NES version is in PC, but it happens in one of the rooms in the Sternwood Mansion instead. They probably wanted to avoid the player making too much progress without curing Ace, and decided to move it to an earlier point in the game rather than late game. Additionally, some of the messages that popped up while Ace's memory gets worse are in NES, but happen at scripted points instead. (The two I remember are in the hallway with Ace's boxing photo and I think the other one was in the Doctor's office, but can't recall funnily enough) 2) The game is a lot easier to achieve the win state, because of a change made to dumping inventory. The PC version pretty much lets you dump anything in the sewer. The NES version changes it so any items important/you still need the game will prevent you from tossing, basically saying you might need it later. So if you aren't sure what to drop in the sewer, just go through every item. If it let's you, you didn't need it or it was the fake evidence against you. If it stays, then you either need it to prove your innocence or it's just something you might need (such as the $20 in case you run into the muggers) 3) You can only hit the gun mugger 3 times, instead of 4. 4) I believe the bum was one of the few arrests where shooting someone was changed so they survive. 5) Despite the syringe being changed to capsules, they still reference Ace being injected at the beginning, likely cause there would be no indication of him being drugged otherwise. Capsules are also kinda silly since you need special equipment to put meds in them. 6) References to Sugar Shack being a hooker were removed. 7) Cigs changed to gum, alcohol changed to seltzer water. 8) Ace's memories, except for his dog was censored. Father O'Malley beating him is gone they just reference him. Suzy Q is simply referenced as being Ace's first kiss, but the rest of it was removed. 9) Ace's role in the whole kidnapping scheme and "motive" created by Sternwood and Vickers is heavily altered. References to Joey being connected to the mob are gone. Originally, the reason why Ace stopped being a boxer was because Joey was having the mob fix his matches, which ruined his career. With that gone, we are only to assume the bad blood between the two was Joey was a dick. Additionally, their is the IOU in Joey's safe that was written by Ace about how he owes Joey money. In the PC version, it's established the Ace was in debt to Joey cause iirc, gambling. This all ties as together as his "motive" to kill Joey. In the NES version, examining the IOU will have Ace remark afterwards that he doesn't remember ever writting this IOU, which implies it's fake and is being planted to tie him to the crime. This all make Ace's apparent motive to want to kill Joey a lot weaker in the NES version. It also explains why there is a even a mob man after Ace in the first place. Additionally, it's more explicit in the PC version that Ace was being the middleman in the kidnapping scheme to help get rid of his debts. In NES, it seems more to only be an implied thing. I can only guess these changes were made to make Ace's more heroic, while the PC version can come across more ambigious whether Ace is a good guy or if he did have a role in Siegel's death. 10) The PC version had a mechanic where the police would wander around and could just arrest you, giving you a Game Over. That is unless you've achieved all you needed to win, then you'll just be taken to the Good Ending. The NES and GBC versions both remove this, but the Newspaper boy still references police searching around for Ace. 11) You could look at the exit to the Construction site, for a slight warning, but can't in NES. 12) Not related to NES, but I found this Death guide on GameFaqs. At the end, they talk about a death they once experienced in the PC version (doesn't seem to be in NES) that involved them using the elevator at Joey's bar. Pressing the button to enter the sewers while on the highest floor killed them via a long drop. They could never replicate it, and they later write people messaged them saying they also remember having that happen, but couldn't replicate it either. Maybe worth looking into on PC and maybe it only exists in the original Mac version? Who knows? There's probably more, but I only have so much on hand information. Still, I recommend Deja Vu. The NES or GBC ports are probably the best versions in spite of their censorship, mainly for making things a bit easier on the player. Plus the music is pretty good! It's also probably the easiest of the Macventure games to complete, if I'm being real.
In the PC version you have the time limit but you'll pass out immediately if you go upstairs in Sternwood's home without curing yourself. Given you can sequence break and give addresses to the cabbies you shouldn't know this is done to prevent winning the game without curing yourself. However, it is possible to beat the PC version of Deja Vu is slightly over two minutes by taking advantage of being arrested via shooting a gun in Sternwood's home once the murder weapon is ditched and the evidence collected.
Game Over List Part 1: 0:00 Shoot yourself with a gun 0:44 Attempting to give ALL your money to mugger 1:14 Trying to shoot mugger with your gun 1:30 Trying to run away from a mugger 1:44 Trying to punch a mugger in his face 2:25 The sewer alligator eaten you alive 2:55 Attempting to shoot a clerk in a store with you gun 3:18 A woman shooting with a gun from her purse 4:09 Pressing a "Self Destruct" button in a car 4:38 Using a key into the wrong engine keyhole 5:09 Using drugs and medicine on yourself to kill yourself 5:41 Fell into the deep construction pit 5:57 Ambushed by a guy with a gun after unlocking the door 6:30 Getting a severe headache and dropped out
And you thought Shadowgate or Uninvited was full of evil. There is so much evil you wonder why Ace doesn't get revenge and blow away the MANY MANY monsters that want you in prison or dead.
That construction death though. Most blatant beginner's trap, literally zero ways of seeing it coming, and it punishes the player for basically nothing lol. They could've easily made the police station the last screen in that location, either go inside or turn around, but nope, had to put in at least one "stepped on a banana peel so now you die for no reason" death xD. Never really understood how Ace managed to completely avoid the trouble in the ending. Yeah, Vickers and Sternwood are found guilty for their crimes, it's all fine and dandy, but didn't we basically have to commit assault on the butler by knocking him out and then entering the house *uninvited*? I also wonder how Ace managed to explain collecting the evidence, especially the diary. I'm all fine with protagonist getting a relatively happy ending (especially considering he's gonna be in a pinch again in the sequel), but just found this part kinda confusing and strange.
I think in the PC version you can look at the square leading to the construction site to be told about it but who really does that? I'm guessing that Ace takes the butler and just casually tosses him in the sewers to get rid of any and all incriminating evidence, including the hitman's body to avoid awkward questions from the police of how shooting someone through the glass of your office door without knowing who it is is totally self-defense.
@@CrankyTemplar Yeah, I suppose telling the police: "Some random bum came to me in the streets, claimed that he knew lifesaving advice for a couple bucks, so I thought "Eh, what the hell, why not? Not like this day's gonna get anymore interesting", gave him some, and he told me that a hitman is waiting for me at my office. Crazy, right? So once I get there, what do you know, some wanka is actually inside, ominously standing and waiting for something! Naturally, I went "Oh my!", then stopped and thought that maybe it's just a janitor or something, but then I realized that I really, really wanna shoot someone (that is not a lock or an alligator) without getting my ass immediately caught by bloody cops, so I went ahead and blasted the sucker. Bet that armed bastard never saw that one coming." As for the butler, I'd like to think that the poor man simply didn't remember anything once he regained consciousness, so our boy Ace is (relatively) clear here, hell, maybe he came back later and bought the man some rounds at the bar to make up for this incident :)
I love how you did it all with in game audio only. I couldnt find the office death without someone talking before Question will you also be doing the gbc version of deja vu 2? I. Havent seeen the explosive homeless in that one
I try to make sure all death compilations I do are without commentary. As for Deja Vu 2, I have compiled deaths for the Macventure version but I probably won't do the GBC version unless there is something like another 8-bit Adventures bundle for Steam like this one.
@@CrankyTemplar not sure if you know but Atari went all out on it's recent Atari 50 collection and even both released previously unreleased games and finished canceled projects to include them I hope the company that is doing these is inspired enough to either release or finish the nes version of Deja Vu 2 that only screenshots were ever shown and use that as the headliner.
I don't think I have the means to play the GBC version at this time, but if it becomes available through another anthology then I'll try to get that compiled.
First time hearing about this game, I don't understand the context for the last death? It looks like it just comes out of nowhere with no warning. Is it a failsafe or something?
Yes, it forces you to cure yourself to complete the game. In the MacVenture version the same thing was time-based but would cause you to instantly pass out and lose if you went to the mansion without curing yourself instead of your office.
What about trying to punch the thug at 7:08 doesn't that get you killed too? Ace Harding is a boxer, so I'd think he's have a decent chance, or some chance against him though.
@@CrankyTemplar what if you try to hit the sleeping person? I know if you punch the bum it says "I don't think he appreciated that, but he doesn't react"
@@thesnare100 You can't wake anyone sleeping. On the PC version the best you can do is give them a lethal injection which won't immediately end the game but will end poorly when you go to the police (which isn't available on the NES).
Bro thanks for taking us back to the 8 bit days. This stuff scared the pants off me when I was a youngster. Good stuff!
The sarcasm in this game is hilarious especially when you're hit with three consecutive life sentences!
Huh, for a game without apparent at first supernatural elements there's an actual brain death thrown in there with a nonstandard message. Neat.
Such a good trip down memory lane. For some reason we had this game for NES when I was a kid. I always played it but never really understood what was going on. Years later I finally beat it and I remember feeling so proud of myself for not using any guides.
Recently got done playing through this version on an emulator. It's a pretty decent port, like most of the MacVenture games. I feel at this point, more people know them via their NES ports then original PC versions (especially for Shadowgate). I know an NES port of Deja Vu II was planned, but scrapped.
There's quite a few differences in the NES version compared to PC, mainly from censorship and a few other details. Actually, this is censored from the original Japanese famicom version, as this port was made by a Japanese developer, likely due to Nintendo NA's policies at the time. Besides some graphical facelifts, changes include:
1) Removing the blood from Siegel's desk
2) Recolored the blood from shooting the Alligator from red to black
3) Changing the syringe to medical capsules
4) The death screen featured a skull with the words "REST IN PEACE". This was changed to the gravestone, which has the side effect of the spoiling the MC's name if you haven't figured it out already.
In terms of changes already present, a lot of them were to streamline gameplay, make things easier, or necessary changes for the hardware. There were also censorship changes present in both Famicom and NES.
1) As mentioned in the description, the time limit from the PC game was removed. I don't know how long it was, but they probably wanted to avoid an unwinnable. I'm told that the forced death at Ace's office if you haven't cured him yet in the NES version is in PC, but it happens in one of the rooms in the Sternwood Mansion instead. They probably wanted to avoid the player making too much progress without curing Ace, and decided to move it to an earlier point in the game rather than late game. Additionally, some of the messages that popped up while Ace's memory gets worse are in NES, but happen at scripted points instead. (The two I remember are in the hallway with Ace's boxing photo and I think the other one was in the Doctor's office, but can't recall funnily enough)
2) The game is a lot easier to achieve the win state, because of a change made to dumping inventory. The PC version pretty much lets you dump anything in the sewer. The NES version changes it so any items important/you still need the game will prevent you from tossing, basically saying you might need it later. So if you aren't sure what to drop in the sewer, just go through every item. If it let's you, you didn't need it or it was the fake evidence against you. If it stays, then you either need it to prove your innocence or it's just something you might need (such as the $20 in case you run into the muggers)
3) You can only hit the gun mugger 3 times, instead of 4.
4) I believe the bum was one of the few arrests where shooting someone was changed so they survive.
5) Despite the syringe being changed to capsules, they still reference Ace being injected at the beginning, likely cause there would be no indication of him being drugged otherwise. Capsules are also kinda silly since you need special equipment to put meds in them.
6) References to Sugar Shack being a hooker were removed.
7) Cigs changed to gum, alcohol changed to seltzer water.
8) Ace's memories, except for his dog was censored. Father O'Malley beating him is gone they just reference him. Suzy Q is simply referenced as being Ace's first kiss, but the rest of it was removed.
9) Ace's role in the whole kidnapping scheme and "motive" created by Sternwood and Vickers is heavily altered. References to Joey being connected to the mob are gone. Originally, the reason why Ace stopped being a boxer was because Joey was having the mob fix his matches, which ruined his career. With that gone, we are only to assume the bad blood between the two was Joey was a dick. Additionally, their is the IOU in Joey's safe that was written by Ace about how he owes Joey money. In the PC version, it's established the Ace was in debt to Joey cause iirc, gambling. This all ties as together as his "motive" to kill Joey. In the NES version, examining the IOU will have Ace remark afterwards that he doesn't remember ever writting this IOU, which implies it's fake and is being planted to tie him to the crime. This all make Ace's apparent motive to want to kill Joey a lot weaker in the NES version. It also explains why there is a even a mob man after Ace in the first place.
Additionally, it's more explicit in the PC version that Ace was being the middleman in the kidnapping scheme to help get rid of his debts. In NES, it seems more to only be an implied thing.
I can only guess these changes were made to make Ace's more heroic, while the PC version can come across more ambigious whether Ace is a good guy or if he did have a role in Siegel's death.
10) The PC version had a mechanic where the police would wander around and could just arrest you, giving you a Game Over. That is unless you've achieved all you needed to win, then you'll just be taken to the Good Ending. The NES and GBC versions both remove this, but the Newspaper boy still references police searching around for Ace.
11) You could look at the exit to the Construction site, for a slight warning, but can't in NES.
12) Not related to NES, but I found this Death guide on GameFaqs. At the end, they talk about a death they once experienced in the PC version (doesn't seem to be in NES) that involved them using the elevator at Joey's bar. Pressing the button to enter the sewers while on the highest floor killed them via a long drop. They could never replicate it, and they later write people messaged them saying they also remember having that happen, but couldn't replicate it either. Maybe worth looking into on PC and maybe it only exists in the original Mac version? Who knows?
There's probably more, but I only have so much on hand information. Still, I recommend Deja Vu. The NES or GBC ports are probably the best versions in spite of their censorship, mainly for making things a bit easier on the player. Plus the music is pretty good! It's also probably the easiest of the Macventure games to complete, if I'm being real.
In the PC version you have the time limit but you'll pass out immediately if you go upstairs in Sternwood's home without curing yourself. Given you can sequence break and give addresses to the cabbies you shouldn't know this is done to prevent winning the game without curing yourself. However, it is possible to beat the PC version of Deja Vu is slightly over two minutes by taking advantage of being arrested via shooting a gun in Sternwood's home once the murder weapon is ditched and the evidence collected.
This is the greatest comment I’ve ever read
Game Over List Part 1:
0:00 Shoot yourself with a gun
0:44 Attempting to give ALL your money to mugger
1:14 Trying to shoot mugger with your gun
1:30 Trying to run away from a mugger
1:44 Trying to punch a mugger in his face
2:25 The sewer alligator eaten you alive
2:55 Attempting to shoot a clerk in a store with you gun
3:18 A woman shooting with a gun from her purse
4:09 Pressing a "Self Destruct" button in a car
4:38 Using a key into the wrong engine keyhole
5:09 Using drugs and medicine on yourself to kill yourself
5:41 Fell into the deep construction pit
5:57 Ambushed by a guy with a gun after unlocking the door
6:30 Getting a severe headache and dropped out
And you thought Shadowgate or Uninvited was full of evil. There is so much evil you wonder why Ace doesn't get revenge and blow away the MANY MANY monsters that want you in prison or dead.
That construction death though. Most blatant beginner's trap, literally zero ways of seeing it coming, and it punishes the player for basically nothing lol. They could've easily made the police station the last screen in that location, either go inside or turn around, but nope, had to put in at least one "stepped on a banana peel so now you die for no reason" death xD.
Never really understood how Ace managed to completely avoid the trouble in the ending. Yeah, Vickers and Sternwood are found guilty for their crimes, it's all fine and dandy, but didn't we basically have to commit assault on the butler by knocking him out and then entering the house *uninvited*? I also wonder how Ace managed to explain collecting the evidence, especially the diary. I'm all fine with protagonist getting a relatively happy ending (especially considering he's gonna be in a pinch again in the sequel), but just found this part kinda confusing and strange.
I think in the PC version you can look at the square leading to the construction site to be told about it but who really does that?
I'm guessing that Ace takes the butler and just casually tosses him in the sewers to get rid of any and all incriminating evidence, including the hitman's body to avoid awkward questions from the police of how shooting someone through the glass of your office door without knowing who it is is totally self-defense.
@@CrankyTemplar Yeah, I suppose telling the police: "Some random bum came to me in the streets, claimed that he knew lifesaving advice for a couple bucks, so I thought "Eh, what the hell, why not? Not like this day's gonna get anymore interesting", gave him some, and he told me that a hitman is waiting for me at my office. Crazy, right? So once I get there, what do you know, some wanka is actually inside, ominously standing and waiting for something! Naturally, I went "Oh my!", then stopped and thought that maybe it's just a janitor or something, but then I realized that I really, really wanna shoot someone (that is not a lock or an alligator) without getting my ass immediately caught by bloody cops, so I went ahead and blasted the sucker. Bet that armed bastard never saw that one coming."
As for the butler, I'd like to think that the poor man simply didn't remember anything once he regained consciousness, so our boy Ace is (relatively) clear here, hell, maybe he came back later and bought the man some rounds at the bar to make up for this incident :)
Be careful this is your death wish you're attracting
I love how you did it all with in game audio only. I couldnt find the office death without someone talking before
Question will you also be doing the gbc version of deja vu 2? I. Havent seeen the explosive homeless in that one
I try to make sure all death compilations I do are without commentary. As for Deja Vu 2, I have compiled deaths for the Macventure version but I probably won't do the GBC version unless there is something like another 8-bit Adventures bundle for Steam like this one.
@@CrankyTemplar not sure if you know but Atari went all out on it's recent Atari 50 collection and even both released previously unreleased games and finished canceled projects to include them
I hope the company that is doing these is inspired enough to either release or finish the nes version of Deja Vu 2 that only screenshots were ever shown and use that as the headliner.
Nice! It'll probably take me ages to notice if they ever do a collection with Deja Vu 2 but I'll be glad to give it a try!
3:58
Woman's Jumpscare tho. 😂😂😂
I used to play this game back then. Good times. Also can you do these in GBC version?
I don't think I have the means to play the GBC version at this time, but if it becomes available through another anthology then I'll try to get that compiled.
First time hearing about this game, I don't understand the context for the last death? It looks like it just comes out of nowhere with no warning. Is it a failsafe or something?
Yes, it forces you to cure yourself to complete the game. In the MacVenture version the same thing was time-based but would cause you to instantly pass out and lose if you went to the mansion without curing yourself instead of your office.
What about trying to punch the thug at 7:08 doesn't that get you killed too? Ace Harding is a boxer, so I'd think he's have a decent chance, or some chance against him though.
He knocks you out if you punch him but it isn't a death. I think on the PC version he also robs you.
@@CrankyTemplar what if you try to hit the sleeping person? I know if you punch the bum it says "I don't think he appreciated that, but he doesn't react"
@@thesnare100 You can't wake anyone sleeping. On the PC version the best you can do is give them a lethal injection which won't immediately end the game but will end poorly when you go to the police (which isn't available on the NES).
@@CrankyTemplar also with the first mugger, I guess you didn't show you hitting him that gave him the broken nose
This is a good game!
0:29: Game Over
0:26: Life Lost
1:03
1:20
1:34
2:11
3:03
6:48: Stage Failed
7:53
8:45
9:32
10:18