I’ve always fantasised about being a private investigator, a worn-down detective past my prime with one last case to crack. Walking the rain-slicked streets of a neon-lit city, gathering clues from strangers in dimly lit bars, staking out suspects from a smoke-filled car, getting into fistfights in alleyways, and engaging in questionable romantic encounters with key witnesses. It’s a life that’s always seemed so glamorous.
Now, I can live out those fantasies in the rainy, neon-drenched city of Shadows of Doubt.
This game is a first-of-its-kind detective sim where cases (after the first one) are procedurally generated in an ever-evolving city. Your enjoyment will depend on how much you embrace this concept.
The game starts with a mission that sets the scene. You’re a detective at the end of your career, looking to earn enough money for retirement. This first mission serves as a tutorial, teaching you how to gather clues and solve cases. After that, you’re free to explore the city and take on new cases as you see fit.
In this procedurally generated city, every resident has a job, a name, and a daily routine, making them a potential suspect in your investigations. Starting with the case “The Dead of Night,” you learn the basic mechanics of movement and interaction. Your primary tool is the murder board, which displays the clues you gather, forming the foundation of your investigation.
You’ll search through phone books and other sources to uncover information and follow leads. Suspect descriptions, such as “has green eyes,” will have you observing and interacting with many of the city’s residents. You can gather clues by talking to people, and you can even resort to more forceful interrogation methods if you choose. Lockpicking is also a vital skill, requiring you to scavenge for paperclips.
What makes Shadows of Doubt truly unique is that after the first case, you’re on your own. You have to find work, and when you start a case, the game offers minimal guidance. You’re a true detective, following your gut and exploring dead ends. You can observe people to estimate their age and height, and you can break into homes or buildings while trying to avoid detection. This freedom can be overwhelming, and you can easily lose hours exploring and pursuing seemingly important leads that go nowhere. While I found this fascinating, it also led to moments of frustration.
The game uses voxel-based graphics, giving the environments a distinctive, blocky aesthetic, reminiscent of Minecraft in a past life. I found it creative and intriguing. Occasionally, I encountered minor visual glitches, but nothing game-breaking but did enjoy the electronic soundtrack that complements the game’s atmosphere perfectly.
The more you invest in Shadows of Doubt, the more rewarding it will be. You could spend countless hours in this city with its procedurally generated inhabitants, however, should you prefer more structured gameplay and clear objectives, you might find things frustrating, even boring.
As a detective sim, it captures the highs and lows of investigative work, helped by the visuals which are good, despite some minor glitches. But has the game satisfied my detective noir dreams? Yes and no, but there’s something undeniably captivating about this unique game.
Become the Ultimate Detective with Shadows of Doubt on Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PC – https://www.thexboxhub.com/become-the-ultimate-detective-with-shadows-of-doubt-on-xbox-series-xs-ps5-and-pc/
Buy Shadows of Doubt on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/shadows-of-doubt/9n7kt8fk0qhh
