Crime Stories

Why ask why?  Here we go again.  The more things change, the more they stay the same.  What's old is new again.  I'm sure you've all heard of these phrases before either in conversation with friends or reading articles on the internet or in magazines.  What's the point of me bringing them up in this review?  It's a simple answer.  Even with all of the advances in technology in gaming over the last five to ten years there is one genre that remains almost unchanged.  The point and click adventure game proves that no matter how advanced technology can become that the point and click genre will still remain (relatively) unchanged.  Mix a simple to use interface, decent graphics, a bunch of puzzles to solve and you get the ingredients for almost every point & click adventure game released. 

Crime Stories: From the File of Martin Mystere doesn't mess with the basic formula of the point and click genre.  The game has you playing the role of NY Police detective Professor Martin Mystere.  Martin is investigating the death of scientist Professor Eulemberg, who was found murdered in his estate.  Martin must figure out who murdered Eulemberg and why.  In order to solve the case Martin will interview witnesses and travel across the globe in search of clues. 

The storyline can be considered a mediocre attempt to recreating a comic book atmosphere in a game.  The game is based on the Martin Mystere series of comic books popular across the world.  The instruction manual even includes a mini comic book that is a prelude to the main story of the game.  To keep this review spoiler free let's just say that you get the necessary plot twists found in all adventure games.  But the story in the game just falls on it's face unfortunately due to the presentation in the game, especially the voice acting. 

I would say that the voice acting in Crime Stories isn't the worst voice acting I've ever heard in a game but it comes close.  For example it's common to hear the following phrases repeated throughout the game.  Hmm....wa...ha..ha....oh....hmm...agh.....hm....oh..... All of the dialogue is acted out in the Adam West/William Shatner tone.   I...don't....know......about you.....but.....I.....only.....want......to hear.......Shatner..........or West.......acting......that.....way.  I'm sure the intention of the dialogue is to further the storyline but there are way too many pauses and breaks when the characters are speaking to make the storyline interesting.  After a few conversations the use of the hmm.....ha...ha and other phrases really started to wear on my nerves.  The point was to add personality to the characters in certain parts but the voice acting just made the phrases a source of frustration. 

The game is played out in the classic point and click adventure game style; 3D character models over 2D backgrounds.  All of the backgrounds look good with excellent details on every location you explore.  The character models just don't look as detailed as the 2D backgrounds which isn't a surprise.  Think of the first Sim's game and that should give you an idea of how the characters look.  All of the lip synching in the game is way off from the spoken dialogue.   

The game plays out just the way a point and click adventure game should play out.  You just simply point and click on items located in hopes of finding items you can pick up.  Once you have an item you can add to your inventory then that item can be used either with another item, given to another character in the game or used to solve a puzzle.  The inventory button is brought up clicking on an icon in the lower left corner of the screen.  But the game would never bring up the inventory screen right away.  I would have to click on the inventory screen at least twice before I could access my inventory. 

I mentioned that each screen is presented in a static view which (of course) limits the view of each location.  This creates a few problems occasionally when you're trying to move through various parts of a stage.  Since Martin can only be moved by clicking on a location you want him to move to, sometimes he moves to an area where you can't see him.  Martin should be solving the mystery.  It shouldn't be a mystery to the player where Martin went during the game (sorry...bad joke).

The total amount of time to complete the whole game is very short, probably eight to ten hours.  This is only solving all of the puzzles right away and moving through the game without exploring everything in the game.  But exploring everything in the game can be a problem depending on the order you explore the game.  The majority of adventure games (and all games) are triggered by you completing certain events in the game.  If you don't complete certain parts of the game then other parts of the game will remain locked.  Yet the game shouldn't lock up because I didn't follow the correct path.  There is a bug near the end of the game that came up when I didn't speak with a certain character first before I picked up a particular item.  Each time I tried to talk to the character the game controls would disappear.  I couldn't exit out of the game without closing the game in the task manager.  Hopefully this is just an isolated bug but I didn't find any updates on the publisher’s website to correct the problem.

Crime Stories isn't the best point and click adventure game available on the market but it might be enough for the dedicated adventure gamer.  The storyline is entertaining and suspenseful at times but the voice acting causes a big distraction in following the story.  The interface is easy enough for anyone to understand and the difficulty isn't too complex.  The actual gameplay time is shorter compared to other adventure games on the market which means that you shouldn't expect this game to last you for weeks.  The graphics do an admirable job, especially the background graphics.  Unfortunately I can only recommend Crime Stories to those that might be familiar with the comic book series or hardcore adventure gamers. 
 

Gameplay: 6.0 

It's the standard point and click game that we've been playing for years now.  Click on an item and then try to use it to solve a puzzle.  The game does change things up later in the game but those moments are short lived. 
 

Graphics: 6.5 

The 2D background graphics work well in the game with lush details and vibrant colors.  All of the 3D models are animated the same with stiff movements.  The 3D characters look like they jumped out of a game five years ago.

Sound: 5.0 

I have to mention that the voice acting in the game comes close to terrible.  It's not the worst but it comes close to ruining most of the game.  The music in the game was made up of a few tracks that helped in creating the atmosphere of the game.  The music would range from orchestral music to other instrumental tracks.

Difficulty: Medium 

The game's difficulty is more based on how determined you are in figuring out a puzzle.  Since you only have to point and click in the game you know that if you can pick up an item that it's important and necessary for the game.  The game does include a section where you have to use a special code included inside the game box.  That was an interesting segment that I'm sure could prove difficult if you didn't get the game with the box.

Concept: 6.0 

I've written plenty of point and click adventure game reviews that everyone should have the general idea by now.  Crime Stories is no different.  You can add an extra point if you're familiar with the comic book series since you can finally play as Martin Mystere.

Overall: 5.9 

By now you probably already know if you're going to get Crime Stories.  Those of you that are addicted to these games probably already have the game and are just reading the reviews to see how a reviewers opinions differ from your own.  Crime Stories is unfortunately a mediocre point and click adventure game that doesn't advance the genre.  The game offers just enough to keep you playing but fails to offer anything new or impressive to make it stand out from the crowded adventure game market.