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Based on the James Patterson novels (and the subsequent television spin-off) and made by Gabriel Knight's creator Jane Jensen, this is a murder mystery wrapped in an adventure game spiced with light hidden object scenes and a few simple minigames. Investigating crimes is the central focus of gameplay, with heaping doses of clue sniffing, murder scene scrutinizing, and some light labwork here and there to keep the story moving along. You don't need to be a fan of the series to enjoy the game, and even if you are, it weaves a completely new tale (penned by Patterson) that stays faithful to the original characters' personalities. This time, however, you're in charge. With each crime you're presented a scene with a small list of objects to find and points of investigation to cover. Not only will you need to grab items, you'll also examine the body and a few key points of interest in the murder scene. The interesting twist is that you play different characters, each with specialized knowledge that will uncover new facts in the case. Everything you discover is catalogued in evidence and information tabs that can be reviewed at any time. Many scenes come with a simple inventory puzzle that pulls the object finding into an adventure-style riddle. In the first investigation, for example, you must locate items to block holes in a rock so you can capture a key item from a feisty crab. Simple, but an effective diversion from the streamlined pattern of the game. The rest of the game is divided between short dialogue sequences, quick mini-games that are integrated into your investigation, and character specific tasks. Claire, for example, spends a lot of time in the lab mixing chemicals to discover the type of poison used on a victim. |
