If
you don’t know or don’t like David Lynch, I just don’t know
what to do with you. He is a master of surreal, avaunt-garde works
that somehow has proven mainstream appeal. Which I believe we all can
agree kind of shouldn't happen. He’s a filmmaker, writer, visual
artist and musician whom in my opinion has never created anything
without merit.
 |
| Yes, even this one. |
One
medium Mr. Lynch has never tackled is video games. There are many
great games that share his themes or take heavy influence from the
man’s work. I’m sure I will spotlight a few of these in the
future but today we will focus on two of the smaller releases that
make direct reference to him and his works.
 |
| I’ve got some things to say about you, Deadly Premonition. But that’s for another time. |
Let
us start with the edu-tainment of David Lynch Teaches Typing
David
Lynch Teaches Typing
Allow
me to be honest with you. I cannot type. My typing skills can be best
described as a disgruntled chicken on a meth binge. So when I first
heard of a retro styled typing tutor featuring everyone’s favorite
beautifully coiffed surrealist, I thought my dreams had come true. In
a way they did. Not the pleasant ones though. More so the fever
dreams of an ill-advised Nyquil and Luis Bunuel marathon.
Its
starts simple enough, an Apple IIE-esque Lynch appears on screen and
introduces himself. Once the games begins, it is incredibly straight
forward. Mr. Lynch explains the home row and we follow some very
rudimentary instructions. Something tells me it won’t stay that
way.
 |
This is the kind of positive reinforcement I need in my everyday life.
|
Now,
I find myself in a delicate situation. I’d love to give you all a
full play by play, but David Lynch Teaches typing is a great but very
short (e.g. a few minutes) game that I do recommend you experience
 |
| But I will tell you this happens. |
Black
Lodge 2600
Hipsters
young and old, rejoice! You can now play out your Dale Cooper
fantasies in glorious lo-fi. Black Lodge 2600 is both a love letter
to Twin Peaks and the simplified gameplay of the Atari 2600. As
opposed to DLTT, this is more of a traditional game experience.
 |
A
game with a white horse symbolizing death, just like Grandma used to
make.
|
Black
Lodge is definitely more fleshed out. Don’t worry though, it is
still strange. I give a lot of credit to designer Jak Locke for the
detail that went into this. With era specific box art, cartridge art,
and manual, Black Lodge feels complete.
 |
If someone wants to custom load this onto a cart, my birthday is in August. Just sayin'.
|
You
play as Agent Dale Cooper trying to escape the Black Lodge. Starting
in the Red Room, you meet The Little Man From Another Place whilst a
chiptune version of “Sycamore Trees” plays. Throughout the game
you will encounter Leland Palmer, Laura Palmer, and Killer Bob all
while being pursued by The Doppelganger as you attempt to find your
way out.
This
game is quite fun and due to it’s simple Atari nature, its
necessarily replayable (translation: You will die a lot and I don’t
know if there is a proper ending.) Black Lodge 2600 is definitely a
recommend for both Twin Peaks and retro game fans.
Ultimately,
both titles are labors of love to Lynch and his oeuvre that I feel
succeed in their missions. Since all these games will cost you is
time, I recommend you give them a play. You can snag them at the
links below.
Until
next time.
