Crime Scene preview

With the success of CSI and its spin-offs, it seems clear that many people are fascinated with criminal forensics. CSI itself has already been the subject of a half-dozen video games, although they've hardly been worthy of attention. It's questionable whether a game involving test-tubes and collecting fluff will ever be successful, but Gamestyle believes that Crime Scene, a new game soon to be released by French producer Nobilis, could be worth investigating.

Words by Chris Thornton , playing on a Nintendo DS.

The premise behind Crime Scene is simple; you are a rookie detective, set the task of solving gruesome murders and heinous crimes around Crossburg City. Each case follows a set process to collect and analyse evidence, which identifies leads and suspects. After discovering the crime, and assessing the scene, you can begin to remove clues by using the stylus and touch-screen controls. There are nine tools at your disposal, and each utilises the touch-screen in a different way. For example, use the UV lamp and spray to reveal clues, tweezers to pick up fibres and bullet fragments, or swabs to lift liquids. The touch-screen also comes into use when you're back at the lab analyzing your evidence. From DNA analysis to ballistics, Crime Scene looks set to fulfil any forensic fantasies you may harbour.Accuracy is key, and a gauge monitors your performance during the investigation. If you're too careless, the whole case could be compromised. If you fail to get enough evidence to prosecute, then the suspects walk free. What has grabbed Gamestyle's attention, however, is its likeness to the Phoneix Wright franchise. Not only do they have a similar style and setting (a young investigator, working for a tough female boss, with an ageing cop for a mentor...), but during the cases you have the opportunity to interview characters, asking probing questions to reveal the truth. Finding the right pieces of evidence and asking the right question will lead to the suspect confessing all.If Crime Scene can offer cases that are as captivating and well-written as those found in Phoenix Wright, it should be a highly entertaining game. With a comprehensive system for collecting and analysing evidence which puts the touch-screen to good use, Gamestyle is hoping that Crime Scene proves to be a worthy purchase.