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Just not very good

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: June 22, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I waited a good while for this game to come out, as I love the "point-and-click adventure" genre of games. And I figured that this is what I'd be getting. A good adventure with a private detective character.

Unfortunately, this is a visual novel. The amount of though you need to put into figuring out these cases is minimal. There are no puzzles to complete, as the game is so entirely linear that you must do exactly what is required next, and the game refuses to allow you to travel to other locations until you do it. This makes completeing the three different cases that are in the game more of a chore, rather than a game.

Its more or less just tapping with the stylus and reading texts, and more tapping, and finally a case ends, without any real effort on your part, other than doing exactly what the character tells you to.

One feature I liked, is the ability of the character to smoke, by clicking on the lighter icon. This pauses the game for a second, and allows you to see what the main character is thinking (essentially a hint system), but the game is so easy that you never really need to use it. But it was still a cool idea for a private eye game.

This game would be good for kids. Like maybe 11 or 12 at the oldest, simply due to the fact that its simply too easy. This game was a real let down.

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On a side note, this game was either rushed, or edited by idiots. The number of spelling mistakes is absolutely comical. I realize that I probably spelled a few words wrong in this review, but I'm not selling my review for 20 bucks.

No Detective Dream Here...

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: June 26, 2008
Author: Amazon User

When I first heard about this game, I was excited for an interactive visual novel on the DS. I was even more pumped when I saw it involved a detective. I think everybody has had that secret fantasy of uncovering a case-- trench coat and all. Unfortunately, Jake Hunter: Detective Chronicles doesn't provide you much satisfaction in living out the detective dream.

It's a shame, too, because the game seemed to have so much potential. After all, the gist of the game is pressing witnesses, finding clues, exploring leads, and solving crimes. And to top it off, it allows players to take on the role of Jake Hunter, a Marlboro smoking, strong willed, quick witted detective, who deep down has a soft side. Wait, did that sound familiar? That's probably because it's stereotypical detective traits. That should have been my first clue that there was nothing "novel" about this interactive visual novel.

Not just Hunter, but all of the characters are bland. Even Hunter's assistant, Yulia, who the game tries so hard to give a supporting role to, is dull and seems more like a puppet muttering generic responses to Hunter. After a while, the repetition becomes so tiresome, you may wish you didn't have to talk to the girl at all. And it's not just with Yulia; it's with the majority of the characters that you have to talk to move the plot forward.

It wouldn't be so bad if the plot was something that you were so fixated in that you just had to advance it at any cost. It's not even worth the expense of sitting through all the lackluster dialogue, typical jazzy detective music, and the uninspiring scenery. Wait a minute, isn't this an interactive visual novel? Isn't the narrative what should drive the entire game? Yes, and that is probably the biggest problem with Jake Hunter: Detective Chronicles. The three cases you have to solve aren't intriguing enough to save the game. Actually, there really isn't even that much of a mystery to be solved with half of them because they are predictable. You'll pretty much have the case figured out before you get half way through it, and in this case, that's about 30 minutes in. In fact, you'll probably have the game beat within 5-6 hours with no replay value (I can't see why you'd want to put yourself through these unoriginal cases again).

To add to all this mess, the gameplay isn't fun either. The game is about as linear as it can get. You can't move around or explore the atmosphere; instead you tap a button that tells you what it looks like. You don't even have much of a choice in how you respond to the questions you're asked or what you can ask people. If you pick the wrong choice, Hunter tells you he doesn't think that's the correct statement and forces you to pick the right comment. To top off this big pile of boring, at the end of the day, you are quizzed on all of the facts about the case. The quizzes just state the obvious and are a big waste of time. I'm left to wonder, is this the best they could do to make the game interactive?

So, does the Jake Hunter: Detective Chronicles even give you back the investment of your time and effort? No. My advice is that there are far better games on the DS worth your time. A story driven game that is not more innovative than something a high school student could write (and also edit, there are some obvious spelling and grammatical mistakes) just doesn't cut it.

Boring game

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: July 01, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I waited for some time for this game to be released. I had thought it would be like the Phoenix Wright games. Far from it. You just click and click and follow along with it. I finished the first case but just lost interest in it,doubt if I will do the next 2 cases.

Decent game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: June 25, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Honestly I bought this game on a whim. I had been hearing of the new adventure games out on the DS and well since I began playing video games Adventure games have been my favorite. Needless to say it was a great game.

I will admit it has flaws. Some spelling errors are noticeable, also it is pretty short. I beat the game in about 5-6 hours. But that is how long they do advertise for game play.

Either way I want a sequel for it and I am looking forward to when it comes out. It will be alot of fun and if you want fun buy this game ASAP!

OK Adventure Game

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: July 21, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This game is a port of a cell phone adventure game. Good news is - there are many more. The Japanese version had six cases and one was created for the DS. I didn't expect a great game - but it is simple and easy to play. If you are looking for a fun easy game here it is.

The graphics are still pictures and the music is OK at best. But for $19.95 for some portable fun it is fine.

There are lots of other games for the DS but this one does not require a clue guide to finish and that is this games big plus. It also lets you save anywhere so when you are in line to buy your movie ticket you can save when your turn comes around.

I'm sure the rest of the cases will be ported too and I really want to play the one written for the DS. Overall, a fun little adventure game.

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