Still Life

The Good
The graphics, the risque scenes, and the plot all formed creates a wonderful experience better than watching CSI on TV. You're put into the shoes of a snazzy female detective to figure out who's killing who.

The storyline is pretty good, as you travel from place to place looking for clues and answers. The game even takes you back into the past with one of her relatives solving a case.

The graphics are top-notch, and the details can be seen clearly, even from the dust on the floor to the markings on the wall, all play a key role in the game.

You also get to play with some real-life equipment such as black lights to reveal a clue, to learning how to lift a fingerprint off a coffee mug with precision. The puzzles in the game are challenging and somewhat tedious.

The cutscenes varies, I have mixed opinions about it. Cutscenes heighten the plots of the game, and some are well constructed and vivid. Definitely not meant for the younger audience hence the Mature rating it gives.

The controls are simple just like any other adventure game. The usual click with the mouse to do certain things. Reminds you of Syberia.

The Bad
It's too short and leaves you hanging at the end. Wondering if there will be a sequel or not. Apparently they haven't announced it yet...

Voice is acting on par, but still sounds repetitive and from the same person in some cutscenes. Cutscenes are okay in some parts, and crappy in others. The gameplay is pretty much linear and doesn't offer much roaming around. It's also a slow game, I mean, who needs to see her enter the same building 5 times, and open doors, after doors, after doors.

The puzzles range from challenging to almost pulling-your-hair-out. One mistake and you have to start all over, some puzzles require you to continue the story, and you'll be spending hours trying to solve the same puzzle. So definitely not a good thing with casual gamers or lightweights.

The Bottom Line
It's a great game if you're tired of the usual CSI routine games they come out with. Has a great twist and has variety, plus a good learning experience in problem solving as well as realistic detective work. Not a game to recommend to minors, because it does show some disturbing scenes that would even wrench some folks out of their seats. A great classic Jack the Ripper game done with dialogue and puzzles to solve!