CSI: Dark Motives (Nintendo DS) > Reviews (6)

I have never watched CSI on TV, but I do like a good mystery game to get my brain cells thinking. I was intrigued by CSI Dark Motives for the ds when I bought a CSI game for my WII. The two games were different with different storylines which was good as I find that if they are the same I never want to buy on more than one console no matter how different the controls might be.

==Outline of the game==

You play a new Crime scene investigator (CSI) in this game, working with the stars of the TV show, Catherine, Warwick, Nick, Sarah, Greg, Al and Jim. The game is set over five levels, each of which presents a different murder / mystery case for you to solve.

The game uses both screens to get the most out of the in-depth features that you will use during the game.
The top screen is full of information based on the suspects and the victim, of which information becomes available to you as you progress through the game and unlock certain clues and evidence.
The lower touch screen is designed to help you interact with the crime scene and any evidence you may collect.

==Case example==

At the beginning of a case you are given basic information and a clue to get you started. There is always a CSI member in each location with you so you can ask for clues if you are stuck. This will affect your overall performance in the game however so they do recommend you don't ask too many times. I have used this function on many occasions and so far have always come out a master at the end of my cases.
To search for clues you are given the use of the CSI laboratory which you can visit any time you want to. All your evidence that you have collected by varying means can be given to the technician who will then give you back information or scan into the computer or microscope for you to investigate further.

As you find different clue either through collecting evidence or by matching up DNA samples in the computer etc, this will then possibly open new leads in the case for you.
To progress, you need to talk to everyone you can and also look at EVERYTHING you can. Even if you think you have looked before and found nothing, look again as by using a different tool to find evidence something may appear, or it may become apparent after talking to someone else etc.
The game can take you off onto many different tangents and you have to be prepared to keep looking and scrutinising every piece of evidence three times if you are stuck just to uncover a small detail you may have overlooked.

==Controls==

The game is played with the stylus mainly; however you can use the L1 and R1 to scroll through the top screens to check out the suspects and victim.
By using the stylus on the screen, your pointer is blue until you find something worth looking at. At this point it will turn into a green arrow. I have found that occasionally I have missed the green arrows and thought there was nothing there when in fact there was.

By investigating further through the green arrow, you may then be able to hover the pen over and find another green arrow to get further or you may have to choose some investigative tools from your menu, which can also be found on the touch screen menu, such as a torch, fingerprint powder, and gloves to retrieve items.

==Graphics==

The graphics are basic, but they are clear for the amount of information you need to digest to play this game properly. A cluttered screen wont jerk too much as you search around it quickly looking for clues.

==Game play==

The game play is in depth and will get your brain in gear if you like the logical and in depth puzzles that some games provide. Once you have played this game once however there probably won't be a real need for you to play it again, as it won't provide a challenge for you.
I found that there are lots of different ways to pick up the clues and not many are obvious to you in the beginning. As you progress through each case then you roughly know what you are looking for which helps slightly.

A great part of this game is that is can be saved at any point by pressing the start button. This is invaluable when you are stuck or haven't the time to play a whole case through in one go.

I have found that the game has provided me with lots of hours of searching and time does pass quickly when playing this. I have to admit to having had to use some online help on occasion, but for the price of £11.99 Amazon is currently offering this game for, it would be a crime not to buy it.

If you are a fan of CSI then I would highly recommend it, as well as if you have loved games such as Hotel Dusk and other point and click games