Greenvale is a small, peaceful town in the northern United States. The sudden murder of a young girl draws the attention of FBI agent Francis York Morgan, who has a complex past and a split personality. York arrives in Greenvale to help local law enforcement solve the case, but things are not as straightforward as they seem. The town holds many secrets, including strange red seeds and a mysterious man in a red raincoat.
Deadly Premonition is a survival horror mystery game with open-world elements. As Agent York, you investigate the mysterious circumstances in Greenvale by exploring the town on foot or in a vehicle. The game features a day/night cycle that affects when shops are open and people are available to talk to. You must eat, sleep, drink coffee, shave, and wash your clothes regularly. Shops and restaurants are scattered throughout the town where you can buy items and weaponry.
You have access to various weapons, including an FBI-issue pistol with infinite ammo, machine guns, revolvers, knives, crowbars, and golf clubs. You can also evade enemies by running or holding your breath, but this will increase your pulse rate and leave you temporarily unable to move quickly.
Many story missions involve "profiling", where you collect evidence to piece together what happened in a specific area. As you gather evidence, the scene becomes clearer until all the pieces are in place. You can also complete side missions like fishing, racing, or playing darts for rewards and hidden trading cards.
Additionally, York can purchase new suits and vehicles to aid him in his investigation. With a large variety of activities to engage in, you'll uncover many secrets and surprises in Greenvale.