When They Met, It Was
Murder
If you're one of the gamers who
queued up outside stores to get your hands on one of the first copies of Call
of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, we can't imagine you being terribly interested in
the next few hundred words.
You see, Women's Murder Club on
Nintendo DS is not just a casual game, but one specifically targeted at
fully-grown women. It's to Nintendo's credit that they realised some years ago
that it was more than just spotty youths who could enjoy video-gaming. But who
could have expected just how mainstream our hobby could become. Thanks to the
versatility of DS and Wii, gamers of both genders, of all ages, and of all
types can find something worth playing or fiddling about with.
Ladies Only?
Women's Murder Club is a perfect
example of this diversification. The first thing to mention is that it's based
on a series of novels by the world's best-selling author James Patterson. The
Women's Murder Club novels were subsequently adapted for TV and although this
game isn't specifically based on the TV series, it does have the feel of a
cheerful afternoon drama.
Though this game isn't specifically based on the TV series, it does have the
feel of a cheerful afternoon drama.
The premise is this: the Women's
Murder Club comprises three friends, Lindsay Claire and Cindy, who task themselves
with solving a series of seemingly unrelated murders. The further they get into
their investigations though, the more complex the situation becomes.
Very Puzzling
Well, we say complex, it's
actually very simple, at least in gameplay terms. The investigateion of a crime
usually starts out with a quick clearing up of the crime scene with one of the
protagonists having to remove objects in a sort of brief but highly
entertaining version of a hidden object game.
What's more, players have to undertake the task of interrogating witnesses,
which adds yet more detail to the emerging story.
This in itself is jolly good fun
and ties in nicely with the murder mystery that unfolds. What's more, players
have to undertake the task of interrogating witnesses, which adds yet more
detail to the emerging story. In fact it's very much like an interactive novel.
That said, additional gameplay
elements come in the form of occasional mini-games that are clumsily crowbarred
into the narrative but which work nicely to keep the entertainment levels up.
These include a smart version of Mah Jong and a sort of laboratory-based
Othello style board game.
DSi owners have the additional
benefit of being able to create their very own mystery utilising the console's
camera. Through a series of bonus DSi mysteries, players can photograph
friends, family and familiar household objects and have them appear in the game
itself as suspects, murder weapons and clues. It's a smart feature that's
almost as much fun as the main part of the game.
Whether or not anyone outside the
game's target audience of middle-aged females or James Patterson fans are
persuaded to join the Women's Murder Club remains to be seen, but as casual
hidden object/puzzle games go, it's a diverting enough release.
GAME's Verdict
- Based on the well-loved novels.
- Hidden object sections.
- Good murder mysteries.
- Several mini-games.
- Fun DSi content.
Review by: Simon 'Lady Cop'
Kirrane
Version Tested: DS
Review Published: 11.11.09