Title: Crime Scene
Platform: DS
ESRB: M
Publisher: SouthPeak Games
Developer: Nobilis
Rating: 
Review by: Sarah Kumley
Crime Scene is a game unlike any other detective game this reviewer has played. Not only does the player have to figure out who is guilty, she must do so by going to the crime scene, collecting the evidence and later evaluating it. The actual steps performed in gathering and testing clues are as accurate as one can be in a video game, and uses only the stylus, microphone and the shoulder buttons. With controls as simple as that, one would think the tasks would be easy to complete, and for the most part they are, but some actions stick out as being infuriatingly difficult or touchy. Instructions for some actions only tell the player what to do and not how to do it, such as “Sort the DNA.” The tools are inconsistent, such as when applying tape to a dusted fingerprint. Sometimes the player needs a piece much larger than the fingerprint, while other times, the game will only accept a tiny piece of tape that doesn’t even cover the whole print. Overall, the fun I experienced playing this game was quickly overshadowed by the many frustrating interactive aspects.
Pros: Fairly accurate portrayal of forensics gathering and evaluation (even though detectives don’t usually have a part in it). Interesting storyline.
Cons: Using tools can be extremely touchy. Unclear or incomplete instructions. Photography sometimes won’t register the evidence until the player picks the exact pixel, despite offering a box to snap the shots.
For more info, http://www.southpeakgames.com/game/Crime+Scene/
Pads & Panels received a copy of the game courtesy of the publisher for review purposes.
Ed Note: Sarah holds a masters degree in criminal justice.
March 16th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
I don’t really find an interest in crime scene games. I feel like the DS needs to stray away from gimmicky games like this and really develop some core material that will actually attract real gamers if it wants to be respected. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Mario and Pokemon series on it, but games like this really steam my clam.
March 16th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Sounds like a very frustrating game in my mind. However, it did make me think of an interesting game that would entail crime scene investigation that you play as the criminal and try to figure out what actions they made to solve the crime. If you make the wrong action in the simulation as the bad-guy then the game could play out that you lose the criminal or charge the wrong person.
I am not too sure if I would every play a game like this as I can get most of the appeal in this genre from any of the current CBS television shows like CSI, NCIS, Criminal Minds, Without a Trace, Numb3rs, Cold Case, etc.
March 16th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Sarah, did you play CSI on the 360? is it similar?
March 16th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
While I do like puzzles games, this just seems boring and tedious. To make things worst, according to the review it has bad controls and is inconstant.
In short, I won’t be buying.
March 16th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
i lost me DS but even if i had it i wouldn’t get this i dislike these types of games
March 18th, 2010 at 12:27 am
Time to borrow my brother’s DS
March 18th, 2010 at 11:52 pm
Ugh I don’t see how people find games like this fun. A game like this looks about as fun as filing paperwork.
March 19th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
IceeLady-
I haven’t played the CSI game. Did you play it and/or find it enjoyable?
I was excited to get this game because forensics interests me, but I was sadly disappointed and extremely frustrated.