A little deeper than mindless shoot-em-ups, a little darker than simulation games (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (PC))

Member Name: SophieRainbow

Product:	CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (PC)
Date:	12/08/09 (12 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Exciting, different, requires thought

Disadvantages: Frustrating at times

If you enjoy CSI shows, as I do, and are fascinated by the techniques and detective work in the show, you will enjoy this CSI PC game even more.

In the game you are guided by the characters of the show to solve 5 cases by visiting crime scenes, collecting evidence (in the form of swabs, plaster casts, DNA, fingerprints, voice recordings etc. as in the show), interviewing witnesses and suspects, connecting the suspects, crime scene and victim, visiting Doc Robbins in the morgue and getting warrants.

The graphics are very reasonable: the characters look like they should and the crime scenes are realistic. The voices can become irritating at times as characters repeat the same advice and catch phrases. After finding some of the evidence there are "flash back" type videos like the ones used in the programme showing blood spattering, glass smashign or whatever, and these make the game more engaging.

There is plenty of depth to the game, and though there are only 5 crimes to solve each one takes several hours. This is partly because there is so much evidence to find, which is fun at first as you investigate the scenes. However, nearer the end of the scenes it becomes very difficult to find the final pieces of evidence, all of which are needed to continue, and this aspect of the game is simply frustrating. There is also no option to chose which crime to solve, which, if you happen to lose your game data (e.g. by reformatting your computer or getting a new one), means you have to repeat the first ones again. I imagine a year or so after completing the crimes it would be possible to enjoy solving the crimes again as you will have forgotten enough of the details. I imagine for some people, the detective work may be a bit too simple as the game pieces together the evidence for you.

Summary: An exciting, challenging game which is frustrating at times