The Shapeshifting Detective Switch NSP Free Download Romslab

The Shapeshifting Detective Switch NSP Free Download With Halloween just around the corner, it’s best to ensure that there isn’t a killer on the loose. That’s your mission in The Shapeshifting Detective. A young woman who has posed for a series of boudoir photos has been murdered, and suspicion is cast upon those who knew her. From her photographer to her boyfriend, the story leads you into casting doubt upon every character in the story. Particularly suspicious, though, are a group of three tarot readers who predicted her death, and later predict another death of a high-profile figure in the town of August. ROMSLAB.COM BEST SWITCH GAMES

The Shapeshifting Detective Switch NSP Free Download Romslab

If you’re familiar with the previous FMV title from Wales Interactive on Switch, The Infectious Madness of Doctor Dekker, this is a pretty similar experience. In The Shapeshifting Detective, much like in that game, you follow the story by selecting the characters you want to hear from. The order you choose them will dictate the availability of follow-up questions that you might be able to ask – pulling them out on contradictions if another character’s comments mean the alibis don’t match up, for instance – and you also have multiple choice questions and responses.

Story

I’m one who always enjoys a great detective story. From Sherlock Holmes to L.A. Noire, there’s nothing like trying to solve a good mystery. While The Shapeshifting Detective fits this mold, for the most part. This title does take a dive into the supernatural, which gives it an interesting, yet ambiguous plot, that has a lot of unique variables and sequences, despite some hokey acting. The Shapeshifting Detective puts you in the role of a character known as, Sam, who is able to shapeshift into other people. The story begins with the murder of cellist, Dorota Shaw, and you are sent to help the local police solve her murder in order to pay back those who covered up your suspicious past deeds. Thumper Switch NSP

The Shapeshifting Detective Switch NSP Free Download Romslab

While investigating in the small town of August, you are kept in the local guest house with three tarot readers, who claimed to have predicted the murder, and are the prime suspects. From here you go around town interviewing different people, such as her boyfriend, and other local figures. I found the base characters and story interesting by itself, but really shines in the moments where you can shapeshift into other characters, and discover the seedy dark side to the citizens of August, which consist of manslaughter, affairs, and alien abductions. These shapeshifting interactions are where you will discover the most information in order to truly solve the murder, and was one of my favorite aspects of the game.

Loose threads tangle an interesting idea.

Until now, I hadn’t had experience with full motion video (FMV) games. Mostly seen from afar, I had a misconception that they were mostly schlocky, tacky non-games that traded more on the outrageous a la Night Trap. What I’ve learned from The Shapeshifting Detective is that FMV can be an interactive storytelling method that’s engaging, funny, and surprising, if in the right hands. As the titular character, you are employed by the police chief of a small town called August to investigate the murder of a young cellist. You take on the name Sam, but unbeknownst to everyone other than the chief, you have the ability to take on the appearance of others you meet. Timespinner Switch NSP

The Shapeshifting Detective Switch NSP Free Download Romslab

The different suspects include gypsies that predicted the victim’s demise via tarot cards and ouija boards, the hotel owner who dislikes them, the boyfriend of the victim, and other local personalities. Each hour of the evening is broken into separate story chapters, speaking with all the suspects as Sam, then shapeshifting into other characters, which can open up new dialogue options and provide new lines of questioning later. While a little silly or overacted, I grew to mostly enjoy the slate of characters. Each of them had distinct personalities, motives, and believable responses to questions or statements.

The same problems as any narrative-driven title

The same problems as any narrative-driven title exist here: gives the appearance of choice, but a limited amount of choice that drives truly different story outcomes. I didn’t get the impression that pressing certain questions did more than flavor the tone of responses you get from suspects. Adding to this, the story introduces questions that felt unsatisfyingly unanswered by the end. Beyond that, a disjointedness to the pacing permeates, with earlier chapters feeling slow and later ones rushed as if there was a scramble to wrap the story up.TOEM Switch NSP

The Shapeshifting Detective Switch NSP Free Download Romslab

Upon completion, there’s no option to start from a chapter midway to try out different dialogue options, giving the impression there isn’t much to gain in a repeat playthrough. At its core, The Shapeshifting Detective has a good hook and a compelling enough story structure, but is marred by not feeling like your choices matter, uneven pacing, and the impression that not all the story beats were well thought out or executed. Without sticking the landing on either the story or interactivity, what had potential to be great feels more middle of the pack.

Add-ons (DLC): The Shapeshifting Detective Switch NSP