Thanks to AShadowLink and Hamada for helping with edits.
I harbor a profound love for Cing’s bibliography, particularly Hotel Dusk: Room 215. It’s my all time favorite video game, one that left a strong impact on me when I first went through it over a decade ago. Admittedly, I’ve been wanting to cover a handful of Cing’s characters in this series for years. Since I recently replayed Hotel Dusk for the eighth time, it’s been fresh on my mind again. Plus, I wanted today’s topic to be something special – this is my fiftieth “Character Chronicle” installment, and it marks the five-year anniversary of my first post here – so it’s time I finally delve into this obscure, sentimental corner of Nintendo history.
Louis DeNonno, seen in 2007’s Hotel Dusk: Room 215 (Image: Nintendo)
Cing’s universe is home to a vivid cast of personalities, a wealth of compelling writing topics. But we’re starting with one of Hotel Dusk’s biggest players, a character whose presence was essential in defining the game. Today, we’re interrogating the hotel’s lovable oaf and hopeless romantic, Louie.
Louie’s History
Hotel Dusk: Room 215 stars Kyle Hyde, a former NYPD detective. During his tenure with the police, Kyle frequently busted a lowly pickpocket named Louis DeNonno (Louis Franco in Japan) – or “Louie,” he calls him. However, the thief’s life wasn’t all bad because he had a close friend in Danny. Unfortunately, in his zeal to secure money, Danny was killed by a rogue cop named Bradley, Kyle’s partner. All three men leave Manhattan shortly thereafter, with a panicked, frustrated Louie eventually winding up at Los Angeles. There, he gets a gig at Hotel Dusk. Three years later, Kyle checks in at the hotel (having quit the force, he now works as a salesman) and awkwardly reunites with his old acquaintance. Over the long night, they learn Nile, the crime syndicate Bradley conspired with, is hunting Louie, erroneously believing he stole the cash. The pair also unearth the building’s own troubled history, culminating in a climactic confrontation against Dunning Smith, its owner and Louie’s boss.
According to Rosa Fox, the Dusk’s maid, Louie’s room “smells like cheese.” Kyle, meanwhile, likens its odor to that of a musty taxi. (Image: Nintendo)
Although Louis is absent from Last Window: The Secret of Cape West, Hotel Dusk’s 2010 followup, his shadow can still be felt. He inspires a successor of sorts in Tony Wolf, and Louie’s theme (which he shares with guests Kevin Woodward and Martin Summer) appears in its jukebox. Meanwhile, Another Code sequel R – A Journey into Lost Memories pays homage to the bellhop. Set throughout the Lake Juliet camping resort, a few photos hidden therein reveal Dunning took his surrogate family there for a vacation years after the events of Hotel Dusk.
So, what’re my thoughts on Louie?
Hotel Dusk: Room 215 is my favorite game for many reasons, one being its cast. Cing brilliantly fleshes out its characters, most of whom aren’t inherently bad people but simply made mistakes in life. One night, a handful of beleaguered folks take refuge at Hotel Dusk, all being led there for one reason or another. As if sharing in its inhabitants’ misery, Hotel Dusk itself is a shadow of what it once was – it’s decrepit, dirty, and regularly called a “dump.” Not all of these parties resolve their issues during Dusk – most don’t, actually – but they do gain a renewed sense of vigor and purpose. One person, however, left that night in better standing than most, a guy whose residency at the hotel predates Kyle’s visit and extends past it. That man is Louis, my second favorite character in the game.
Louie is deeply insecure and a former criminal, but as an employee of the hotel, he now holds power over Kyle. If you inappropriately rattle him, he’ll entice the cop-hating Dunning to kick Kyle out. (Image: Nintendo)
Louie is, likewise, one of Hotel Dusk’s most important characters. Although he lacks the latent brilliancy of a Jesse Pinkman, Louie idolizes and assists Kyle similarly. Their preexisting history is important, helping flesh out both characters in a quick, fairly organic manner. And Louie’s veneration of Kyle helps endear the audience to him, since he can’t be that bad a guy if he’s fond of our surrogate, right? We chat with the kid regularly, meaning he helps ease players into Dusk’s dialogue mechanics. Deciding whether I should trust the urbanite with a secret – and subsequently lying to him – yielded a game over, teaching me Kyle’s actions have consequences (there are earlier opportunities to get a game over, but this is the first one to truly test your judgement). Appropriately, Louie is the subject of Room 215’s first proper confrontation, closing its second chapter. It’s fittingly the simplest one, and provides a mutually beneficial outcome for both men: Kyle nabs a lead on Bradley and partner in Louie.
So, assuming you don’t tick Louie off, the former Manhattanites develop a game-enduring alliance. Kyle’s a positive influence on others, a quality that profoundly benefits Louie. Barring his bartending – which is, unsurprisingly, the garrulous guy’s favorite gig, the only one he initially takes seriously – Louie starts Room 215 as an unambitious lump, but grows into a dependable adult. And while his self-deprecating comments might suggest otherwise, he isn’t a braindead deadweight. Louie’s a genuine asset to Kyle, contributing information and ideas to their cause (though he still occasionally falters; he seemingly forgets to show Dunning a certain photo and regularly gets distracted by attractive women). At times, he even offers valuable insight, explaining to the gruff salesman why so many secretive strangers are opening up to him.
A partial break from Dusk’s serious tone, the bartender’s approachable and provides levity – after all, who else could look this good behind the counter? (Image: Nintendo)
Chapter 10, where Louie’s reluctant to let Kyle descend downstairs alone, best illustrates his maturation. They were just attacked by an unknown assailant, with neither knowing what dangers lie ahead. Only when Kyle asks him to stay upstairs as “backup” – an act showing the former detective’s trust in Louie – does he relent, and subsequently save Kyle’s life. Then, Louie stands by Kyle for the rest of Room 215, rightfully participating in its climax.
In a game filled with memorable scenes, my favorite occurs shortly before the ending. As all the guests depart the following morning, Kyle and his supportive associate bump into each other, saying their goodbyes. After discussing last night’s revelations, the bellhop asks a question: will he see Kyle again? “Bet your life, brother,” Kyle responds. “We’re partners, remember.” It’s a sweet, sincere moment, one made all the more powerful given the weight the word “partner” must carry for Kyle. Ecstatic, the reformed pickpocket smiles, leaving him satisfied and safe in his home.
Congratulations, Louis! Trip!
Nile abandoning its hunt for Louie in favor of Bradley is a weak resolution to that thread – surely such a resourceful, far reaching organization could multitask? – but I’m glad the long-suffering guy got a happy ending. (Image: Nintendo)
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I love this series. I’m so glad I imported Last Window before the price went through the roof on it. Such an original game premise.
Same, the Kyle Hyde saga is fantastic. It’s a shame we’ll likely never get a proper third entry (or a third Another Code). Last Window is actually the first game I ever imported, and I recently replayed it too, meaning it’s fresh on my mind again. I look forward to covering someone from its rich cast down the road.