CSI: Dark Motives Solves the Case

This game features 5 cases where you take on the roll of a rookie investigator in the unit. Since you need to get your feet wet each case gives you a member of the CSI cast to buddy up with. They won’t add much to the case but when you need to you can ask questions to help you through the sticking paints. Think of your new partner as a walking encyclopedia on the case. In addition, each case will pair you up with anew cast member so odds are that you will find your favorite sooner or later.

Case One: Daredevil Disaster

Side saddle up with Catherine Willows to find out if  a stunt gone wrong is a tragic accident of murder. Investigate the fatal motorcycle crash of Daredevil Ace Dillinger.

Case Two: Prints and Paper

Figure out who’s corpse has been discovered in an abandoned insane asylum, and why he was murdered. At first glance he seems to be a homless squatter, but the contents of his stomach seem to suggest that everything is not as it appears.

Case Three: Diggin’ It

Another casino is set to group in Vegas. When the construction begins a body is uneathered. Is it the remains of an ancient Native Americans or a clever cover up for a grizzly murder? You and Sara are on the case to find out just that.

Case Four: Miss Direction

When can a prop kill? When the prop is not a prop, but a plant. You and Nick are on the case to figure out who switched the prop pistol for a real one and killed a talented young actress during a rehersal.

Case Five: Dragon and Dropping

A human toe is found inside a Komodo dragon. These normall docile, but poisonous animals must be provoked in order to attack. You pair up with Gil to find out who that toe belongs to and why the Komodo attacked. Was it an unlucky set of circumstances or did someone set the dragon out to kill intentionally?

The controls are fairly simple to use. Things are largely mouse-based and using the tools of the trade are fairly straight forward. For the most part, you will be clicking on an item or an area, and then on the tool that you want to use. Even the advanced tools in the lab are easy to use with the same click and click again formula. This makes controls accessible to new (or older) PC gamers who picked up the title, not because they wanted a new game but because they want to solve a mystery. There is also as a time saver built into the controls. When you hover over an item with your mouse, you will know that it is worth investigating because it will glow green. No glow means save your time and move on.

This game looks good, but you have to have realistic expectations. The environments are true to what you would see on the TV series and always interesting. While it lacks the advanced resolution and 3-D worlds of some other RPG titles you could find on the shelves, this game does not need the flash to be enjoyable. The faces of the CSI investigators are well rendered. There is however, a notable lack of strong facial expressions, even when they would be appropriate.

This title is very short. One could probably finish all five cases in 2 to 3 hours of solid game play. Since this is a one shot title, and you are unlikely to go back to it time and time again like you would some other titles, this is all you will get out of it. The game also lacks a multiplayer mode, so you will get no replay or expansion from the game there. If you are looking for a game that will provide more playing time, you will feel gypped by this title. Players in search of quick gratification however, will find this to be a good length.