Brave and original murder mystery (Shadow Of Memories (PS2))

Member Name: shaneo632

Product:	Shadow Of Memories (PS2)
Date:	06/09/09 (50 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Premise and execution

Disadvantages: A little repetitive

Konami make some of the best and most original games on the market. Shadow of Memories, whilst not among the most popular games ever made, is a thrillingly inventive RPG-esque murder mystery, where there's no combat or "boss fights" to speak of, but the game still offers a high degree of difficulty due to some meticulously designed gameplay, in which you must attempt to solve puzzles in order to save the protagonist's life. You play Eike, a man who was recently murdered, and given a second chance to find your killer, you must continually travel back in time and amass clues as to who did you in.

Like Konami's Metal Gear Solid series, this is a very cinematic game that has a LOT of cut scenes, so if you want something that's instantly gratifying, this probably isn't the way to go. It's a slow moving game that requires a certain degree of patience, but will reward patient gamers with a thoroughly engrossing plot that offers a number of alternate endings, meaning there's a lot to go back for once you reach the end of your mystery.

The puzzles have a fair degree of range - they can be as simple as telling someone something or giving them an object, then travelling back in time and helping change something in their lives that will then affect your fate. They do get more challenging, but the game never gets too challenging, and your hand is held somewhat by a mysterious rake-looking man called Hormunculus.

Presentation-wise, this is a really solid game - the cut scenes are well directed and, despite the often bland colours of the past levels, the locales are extremely well rendered with a high level of detail. The sound fits the atmosphere of the game, particularly in the past levels, and the voice work is pretty solid for a video game, although not as good as some of Konami's other games (chiefly MGS).

Although the gameplay doesn't have a HUGE deal of variety, the central mystery is very interesting and will keep you coming back to unlock all of those endings!

Summary: A solid and engrossing game