CSI: Dark Motives Preview

Back in the year 2000, CBA introduced a TV series called CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, which is a fast paced drama about a team of forensic investigation that solve crime, by looking at all the clues, and examining all of the evidence. Once they are on a case, they will spend 24-7 continuously looking over the crime scene, gathering evidence, and trying to find any missing pieces to solve the crime. The series became a wild success and has already spawned a “sequel” based in another city and even a game. The first game was a success in some areas, and other places it could use some improvement. So far the sequel is on the road to becoming a sure fire hit.

The story is as follows: you are an intern assigned to the graveyard shift in the Las Vegas Crime Lab. To solve cases you must visit crime scenes, interview people, and collect and analyze evidence. To help you in your quest to become a full time member and solve the case, you will have the support from the top CSI agents.

CSI: Dark Motives gives player the chance to solve five different case files, and each time you will be assigned a different CSI partner. The cases will range from solving gruesome murders to figuring out who sabotaged a movie stuntman’s career. The first case that you will participate in is a very in depth tutorial. It gives you slight hints on what to do, without directly telling you “what to do.” I find that this was a great idea, because this game is not just for your average gamer, but for people who enjoy the show and what to see what the game has to offer.

This game puts gamers into a first person perspective, and will have players visiting crime scenes, CSI offices, and many other locations to get the case solved. The interface for the game is very simple, and will allow anyone to easily get into the action. There are four different sections: tools, locations, evidence, and case file. The tools section contains all of the tools needed to help you solve cases. They are divided into two different sections as well, Collection or Detection. Collection tools will help you collect evidence, such as mysterious liquids, powdery residue, or cast molds of items. Detection tools allow you to find fingerprints, fine buried objects, or find other substances that will help you find clues to a case.

The location bar shows all of the available crime scenes, CSI locations, and interview places that you have access to. These locations are available only for each required case. For instance, if your case doesn’t have anything to do with a murder, then you wont have access to the morgue.

The evidence is divided into three different categories: trace, documents, and items. The trace is collect elements from a crime scene, such as fingerprints, hair samples, and other items. Documents are forms, photographs, receipts or any other thing that is written down. The items contain everything that doesn’t fit in the other two categories, which contain weapons, clothing, and other things. The evidence can be further analyzed once it is collected, and you can even combine two elements to help you find other clues to solving your case.

Last, but certainly not least is the case file, which contains all of the details about your case thus far. This includes any interviews, the suspect’s information, victim information, and many other things that are vital to solving your case. Clicking on the Reconstruction area will help your review sequence in the case, and many times you might be able to find clues that you have missed before by review this.

If you ever get stuck in the case you can ask your CSI partner for hints on the collected data you have at that time, but beware that this can have a negative impact on your final evaluation.

So far the game is coming along really well, the graphics look nice, and the game features all the real voices from the actors of the show. If you are a fan of the show you will definitely want to pick up this game when it is released, because it allows you to be in the shoes of a real CSI agent.