CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Hard Evidence

"Sure it has flaws, but its good fun while it lasts"

First off - if you aren't looking for a game about crime solving, don't play this game. Sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people complain about this game without looking at it for what its supposed to be.


Graphics:

OK, the graphics aren't perfect. The people in particular aren't the best models I've seen in my life, but they're not really that bad. The characters do resemble their real life counterparts, even if not perfectly. The places you visit look good enough for me, and often the evidence will look quite good on inspection, with some well done textures. This game doesn't focus hugely on realistic landscapes or Monet skies, but the graphics do the job, and apart from the characters, it never really occurred to me that they could have been much better. Not really what I'd call next-gen graphics, but it didn't bother me really.

However, one complaint I do have is the obvious re-use of models and locations in some places - some of the same locations are used in more than case. Sometimes this is relevant to the story, but in some cases it seems lazy, the exact same hotel room is used in cases 2 and 3, and there's no reason to imply that they should be the same room, in fact the story implies that the inhabitants of the hotel in case 3 have been there for some time, suggesting it is supposedly not the same room. In the case of character models, Case 3 revolves around a dead band comprised of three men and a women. The three men aren't related, yet their models are identical, so they look like triplets. Its a minor detail because you don't see them much, but it was noticeable enough for it to bug me. In fact, there were actual triplets on a later mission that looked less identical than those three. Anyhow, I'm getting sidetracked. A bit annoying, but it doesn't ruin the game. Moving on.


Sound:

The sound is pretty standard, fitting sound effects when you click on something, and the majority of the cast voiced by the real actors from the show. The sound is nothing mind blowing, but it does the job. I noticed that sometimes dialogue would be cut off a little early however (i.e. in the middle of someones last word of their line), which would sound a little awkward. Another minor flaw, but not a huge problem. The characters seem to use every pun they can fit into conversation which is really really cheesy but it fits in with the show (although maybe abusing it a little more than usual). The music can sometimes be fairly atmospheric, but nothing to shout about.


Gameplay:

OK so this review might seem a little bleak, but this is where I give the pros. This game is enjoyable because it is something different to play - sure, I love killing monsters and aliens on my 360, but its nice to have a break. If you've ever played Phoenix Wright on the DS, its a little like that, although focusing more on gathering evidence and questioning, rather than the trial itself. The game is a point and click style title, involving the user examining crime scenes using different tools to pick up fingerprints, DNA from blood, samples of fibres and chemicals, and piecing together what happened.

The general flow of a Case is this: Examine the crime scene, pick up evidence. Then examine the evidence by looking at it for anything suspicious (such as fingerprints and stains) and then examining it using the lab tools. In the lab you can then match fingerprints and DNA, and work out links in the evidence. In some occasions you can also compare sound clips, enhance photos and videos, and analyse objects for chemicals as well. There is also a garage for inspecting any vehicles taken in. Then you will usually open up other locations to search and gather more evidence. When you have enough evidence to make someone a suspect, you can take them in for interrogation, which is simply clicking questions to hear what they have to say about the events. The game uses Warrants as a great way to break up gameplay - in order to search new areas and question people you must gather enough evidence and make the right links in oder to be given a warrant to search new locations or question new people. In this way the game restricts you in a way that makes sense, so that you don't often feel as though you can't do something 'just because the game wont let you'. Obviously this happens occasionally, but its done fairly well. All of the cases are different, with completely different types of murders and most of them have different aspects using slightly different tools and methods to vary it a little. Once you have pieced everything together and worked out the killer, you can get a warrant to arrest them and finish the case.

There are five cases, each one working alongside one of the main characters from CSI (Las Vegas). They are usually there to do the talking, (as you are playing the part of a 'mute' partner) and there to give you hints if you are stuck.


Replay Value:

Although the gameplay is good, the replay is the worst part. As with the Phoenix Wright games, once you know the answers to each case the game really loses its shine. So its pretty much a one time only playthrough. Although you can play through to beat all of the cases on the highest rank (depending on whether or not you find all the evidence etc) and to collect hidden insects for bonus clips (which are just storyboards and trailers really), replaying the game for them would probably just be tedious. Maybe if you give it a few years between playing you may be able to do it again, but if your memory is any good its probably only good the first time. Just the price that comes with the genre, sadly.

For the people that want achievements, beating the game gives you all of them. But shame on you if thats all you care about :P


Overall

Not perfectly made, but very interesting cases and very enjoyable for something a little different. Sadly it has no real replay, but first time through I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you can borrow it or get a decent length rental its worthwhile (I did roughly a case a day), or buy it preowned like I did. Give it a shot but don't expect anything epic.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 04/11/08

Game Release: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Hard Evidence (EU, 10/05/07)