Point and click to arrest (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - Hard Evidence (Wii))

Member Name: abbadabbado

Product:	CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - Hard Evidence (Wii)
Date:	11/08/09 (90 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: involving

Disadvantages: blocky graphics, slow to load

I have never watched CSI as a series, but when I saw the game for the wii, it looked appealing as I like the genre of point and click games, that I had to buy it. This was double with the cheap price tag attached to the game.

** Outline of the game **

The game consists of five different chapters or cases. Each case consists of a murder or crime that you as the investigator need to solve. To do this you work as a CSI (crime scene investigator), alongside imitation characters from the actual show, moving from place to place finding clues and analysing them before arresting someone at the end of the case to close it.
That is the game in a nutshell, but of course there is a lot more to the game than this and it won't be quite as easy as it sounds.

** How to play **

There will be a tutorial option the first time you play the game, and I would recommend you do this. It's only a short series of advice available from the real CSI's, but it does help you get a feel for the controls.
At the start of each case, you will be able to visit the crime scene to explore and find clues which will take you elsewhere in the case.
By searching with the wiimote, you have the option of picking up items to analyse them at a later day. You can also search everywhere to ensure you are getting all the clues you need. The wiimote acts as a pointer on the screen, which will change to green if you can explore the area further.

Characters in the game are available to question throughout, and as you find more clues, more questions will become available to ask them, so remember to go over everything three times at least to ensure you get everything.
As with most games that are point and click, you won't be able to progress further into the game until you have found a required element, so when you are stuck, generally it's because you have missed something simple like analysing your evidence, or not collecting something from a location.

** Moving about **

The game will require you to move between locations available to you during each case. You can do this via your pda which is available all the time. Any location lit up is a location you can visit. The lab, and the police inspectors office is always available to visit, you never know you may need to go there.
The down side to moving from location to location is that the game seems to take ages to load up between them which is a bit of a pain.

**Analysing **

Each object that you collect could contain vital information and you will need to look at everything to make sure. Anything you collect in the form of fingerprints etc can be analysed at the lab by placing them into certain machines.
Once in the lab, any new evidence that you can analyse will be flashed up by an exclamation mark, alerting you to the fact you can hopefully unlock a new clue to the case.
I find the analysing to be easy and there are lots of options for you to be able to match items from items you have collected or by matching from the CSI database.

** Controls **

The whole game is played with the wii mote only and you don't need the nun chuck which is good. I do find the controls to be slightly blocky and slow sometimes, especially if you go off kilter slightly against the sensor.
You do need some precision when it comes to pointing at a certain area or when you are asking questions, so this can be quite annoying. I find as long as you are sat above the sensor and your batteries are good then you should be fine.

** Graphics **

The wii isn't known for its graphics, but they are a bit blocky for my liking. The characters don't talk in real time; more open and close their mouths whilst words appear from the speakers. This is a bit of a letdown, but as the scenery is clear and enables you to search efficiently, and then it's not too much of a problem.

** Storyline **

The storylines are fairly good and complex, which means you do require some brain thinking power to solve all the cases. I don't like very simple cases, but they are simple enough so anyone can fumble their way through should they get stuck. There are only a maximum of six locations to search at the same time as the police headquarters so it's not too much to handle.
If you do get stuck along the way the CSI is always around to give you a hint if you need it. These are available at any time but will reflect on your debriefing score at the end of the case.

**Appeal **

I think this game will appeal to anyone who likes CSI the series, as well as anyone who likes the point and click game. I like the fact that I don't have to jump around playing this game, and it proves the wii can produce a game that could be played on any system.

** Overall **

Overall I am glad I have bought this game. It's one you can pick up and put down at any time, with save periods available whenever you need them during the game.
I only paid £9.99 for this game from Amazon in January, and you can pick it up for almost the same price now. This is a bargain price for a game that will last you for months.
I do find that once you have completed the game however you probably won't go back and re play it, so it will be a one hit wonder. Still for the price it's worth the entertainment.

Summary: a great point and click game for the wii