8 Best Games For True Crime Fans

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Regardless of the era or culture, a nearly universal fact about media preferences can be observed: there’s a strong affinity among people for crime thrillers. The griminess and horror of actual crimes make them unsettling, and this is especially true in the case of the true crime genre, as it depends on actual criminal events having occurred.

Reading tales, whether they’re based on fact or fantasy, offers a comforting veil of separation, which means you can relax knowing that an actual threat like a nighttime predator isn’t lurking around the corner.

Generally, video games are not often involved in real-life narratives because they’re interactive and the player’s actions dictate the outcome, which conflicts with a storyline that follows a predetermined sequence.

If solving and untangling crime mysteries is what you love most about true crime stories, then you’ll discover many intriguing cases in that region. Give these games a try when you’re yearning for a gripping detective tale.

8.
L.A. Noire

About As Close To Real Police Work As It Gets

If you’re looking for a game that provides an experience as authentic as real police work can be, L.A. Noire is your best bet. It might not showcase the most advanced mystery-solving methods, but what makes it stand out is its ability to apprehend suspects based on testimonies and physical evidence without relying on modern techniques.

In L.A. Noire, one standout feature that sets it apart is the implementation of actual actor faces, captured through scanning technology. This means that each witness and suspect will convincingly express emotions during interrogations. If they’re being dishonest, they might exhibit tells such as scratching their head, avoiding eye contact, or giving an unexpected smirk.

Observing facial cues for signs like these, while also gathering proof whenever required, serves as the foundation of your investigative methodology.

It’s true that I don’t find the main plot of the game overly appealing, and its ending in particular leaves me unsatisfied. However, I must say that the individual cases are exceptionally engaging, featuring plausible crimes, motives, and unveilings. Moreover, the portrayal of police work as less than ideal adds a layer of realism that I appreciate.

7.
The Case Of The Golden Idol

Piece Together A Narrative

If you’ve ever played the detective game Clue as a child, you’re likely familiar with the method of deduction used in constructing a criminal profile. A crime scene is composed of various components such as suspects, weapons, and evidence. Fitting all these pieces together correctly helps to create a coherent picture.

In essence, The Case of the Golden Idol’s main gameplay revolves around this key cycle: Every case presents a newly committed crime scene, allowing you to collect evidence, identify suspects and victims, and trace back the sequence of events that led to the murder.

After collecting all the necessary details, organize your ideas by placing people, things, and actions in a narrative of the event, much like filling out a Mad Libs story.

Unraveling a mystery isn’t simply about arranging phrases correctly; it’s about painting a vivid picture by describing the situation accurately. This not only makes for an interesting read but is also useful practice if you enjoy creative writing.

6.
Return Of The Obra Dinn

No Bigger Mystery Than Insurance Fraud

Insurance agents often find themselves acting as sleuths, investigating potential fraud on a regular basis. Insurance companies aim to verify that no one is exploiting them before they issue payments. This vigilance even extends to cases where a boat mysteriously disappears, similar to what happens in the game Return of the Obra Dinn.

In the game Obra Dinn, your mission is to determine the outcomes of the crew and passengers who mysteriously vanished from the ship named Obra Dinn for an insurance claim. The challenge lies in the fact that there’s no one left on board to question, so you utilize a unique pocket watch that allows you to observe a paused scene depicting the exact instant when someone perished.

At a certain stage, I found myself utterly stumped in this game, looking back, it seems that my thought process wasn’t venturing beyond conventional solutions.

In the absence of any direct testament, I found myself heavily dependent on subtle environmental cues that weren’t particularly emphasized. Unraveling this mystery calls for diligence and encourages perspective that goes far beyond cursory observation.

5.
Shadows Of Doubt

Approach Crime From Any Angle

Although detective work tends to have a structured approach, real life often fails to adhere strictly to these steps. If strict adherence to the rulebook doesn’t help you crack a case, perhaps you need to think outside the box a bit. If you enjoy puzzles with no clear-cut solutions, you’ll find yourself perfectly suited to the wet and enigmatic cityscape of Shadows of Doubt.

In every playthrough, Shadows of Doubt offers a fresh mystery to solve since its key elements like the murder scenario, the perpetrator, potential suspects, and vital clues vary each time you engage with the game.

Beyond that, it’s important to note that investigating like a real detective isn’t about waiting for clues to appear; they can be elusive and fleeting. Some evidence is temporary, suspects can move, and the perpetrator might even attempt to leave false traces or steer you off course.

Engaging with Shadows of Doubt requires an unusual mental perspective, one that can scrutinize a crime from various viewpoints and is relatively unfazed by protocol or moral dilemmas. If I suspect a delinquent has crucial evidence hidden in his apartment’s closet, instead of waiting for a warrant, I’d be the one to forcefully enter and seize it.

4.
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami

Quack The Case

In a twist of events, an intriguing mystery doesn’t always involve something as violent as a murder. Instead, unraveling the enigma behind who pilfered someone’s lunch from the communal fridge can be equally engaging and tidier, if not more so. And that’s precisely what you’ll find in Duck Detective: The Salami Secret!

Regardless of its seemingly absurd appearance and concept, Duck Detective demonstrates a keen eye for detail. A careful examination of areas close to the crime scene, along with interactions with witnesses and possible suspects, often uncovers intricate details. By assembling these small pieces of information using logical deduction, one can effectively solve cases.

What I find appealing about this game, beyond its humorous dialogue, is that it’s user-friendly for those who aren’t seasoned sleuths. It offers a helpful hint system when needed and allows for simple problem-solving through brute force, if required. Simplicity can be just as enjoyable in a mystery.

3.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

See You In Court

A lawyer’s role generally doesn’t involve solving crimes; instead, it’s about providing evidence that demonstrates or suggests the innocence of their client, aiming for either a fine or a lesser sentence as a result.

Phoenix Wright leaves no stone unturned; indeed, he never settles for anything less than a complete exoneration. The key to achieving this goal is always unmasking the real perpetrator, who invariably finds themselves under oath on the witness stand.

In a visual novel like Ace Attorney, the storyline doesn’t follow a real-life police detective’s work, so it might not be an accurate portrayal of the investigative process. Yet, rather than offering intricate evidence collection, it engages players by urging them to scrutinize court testimonies meticulously.

I can’t forget the moment when I started playing Ace Attorney for the first time and instinctively recognized that a witness was attempting to deceive me with a story inconsistent with the evidence. Since I had been meticulous in my observations, I swiftly exposed their deceit right away. To describe this experience as gratifying would be an understatement.

2.
The Forgotten City

If At First You Don’t Succeed, Run

Investigators must handle their probes with care to avoid tampering with evidence or disturbing witnesses. Once done, there are no second chances for them.

In “The Forgotten City,” you find yourself stuck within a recurring time cycle, which means you have multiple opportunities to explore and test your theories. As long as you manage to reach the time portal quickly each time, you can repeat your investigations.

In the unusual setting of a relocated Roman city, Forgotten City’s enigma revolves around individuals. To uncover both the culprit behind the misdeeds and the mastermind behind your own predicament, you must interact with every resident.

Regardless of the time loop you’re stuck in, every moment counts significantly. From my initial experience with this game, it’s clear that someone will eventually cause trouble, so it’s essential to stay vigilant as you patrol the city, trying to keep people from coming into conflict for as long as possible. It’s a unique blend of detective work and beat cop duties.

1.
Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments

Elementary, My Dear Watson

The character of Sherlock Holmes, who was first introduced in an 1887 novel, is actually fictional. Yet, when it comes to crafting a crime-solving storyline, there’s no more reliable figure than the legendary duo of Holmes and Watson. And if you’re seeking a game based on a Sherlock Holmes mystery, consider giving Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments a try.

In this game, you’ll step into the role of Sherlock Holmes, examining various crime scenes, interviewing witnesses, and ultimately piecing together the entire puzzle using logical deductions.

Although there’s always one correct solution for each situation, it doesn’t mean that’s the one you’ll find. If you misread the signs, the culprit escapes, leaving the mystery unsolved.

Even if you identify the person responsible, it doesn’t guarantee they’ll be brought to justice since Holmes isn’t a law enforcement officer and thus isn’t bound by duty to report anyone.

You have the option to either toss the book aside or allow them to continue, and this decision you make will create a chain reaction. I find it intriguing, as it highlights both the advantages and disadvantages of Holmes playing such an essential role in London’s law enforcement.

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2025-05-25 17:09