CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Dark Motives

 PC
  • Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Release Date: Mar 23, 2004
Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 28
  3. Negative: 3 out of 28
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  1. GameZone
    70
    The stories are good, the voice work is strong but the investigating parts in between tend to get a little tedious. Even with all the cool CSI crime fighting tools.
  2. Quandary
    70
    Careful exploration is called for, and this is one game where diligent searching is in context as perpetrators don't leave flashing signs that say 'click here for tell-tale bloodstains'.
  3. Cheat Code Central
    70
    Compared to last year's CSI game, Dark Motives is a definite improvement in every sense of the word. While many skilled gamers may find this game too easy it should be a real treat for fans of the TV that don't do much, if any, game playing.
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  5. Cincinnati Enquirer
    70
    An example of how a game based on a television show can be done right. It may not be a long adventure, but it's a fun challenge.
  6. Warcry
    65
    The game is awfully short. Even fans might be disappointed at only finding 5 cases in the entire game. Finishing the game can take anywhere from 4 hours to as much as 12 hours, depending on difficulty (the hardest difficulty turns off the hotspots).
  7. GameSpot
    63
    This is a game designed specifically for a general audience, and thus, the bulk of what would normally make an adventure game challenging or unique has been stripped away in favor of the most user-friendly interface and game design possible.
  8. PC Gamer
    62
    The downside is that Dark Motives regurgitates the static, "Myst"-style point-and-click gameplay and fuzzy backgrounds of last year's CSI game. [June 2004, p.77]
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  9. G4 TV
    60
    For most players, however, sifting through Dark Motives is much like real forensic work -- arduous and repetitive.
  10. Gamer's Pulse
    60
    Hardcore adventure players can still aquire some decent gameplay out of this title, but may find it rather simplistic due to its apparent targeting to new players to the genre.
  11. PC Format
    60
    Glossy but vacuous; a short-lived, slow-paced distraction. [Aug 2004, p.91]
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  12. Worth Playing
    60
    The pace and style are a little slower than I’d like, the dialogue is on the corny side, and there were, for me at least, a number of performance issues.
  13. Computer and Video Games
    60
    If you're enough of a fan to forgive its frustrating moments, Dark Motives' five cases will give you a few evenings' worth of semi-interactive intrigue, but not much more.
  14. Gamers' Temple
    58
    Leave this one to diehard CSI fans who want to click their way through five new episodes of the show with little effort.
  15. VideoGamesLife
    55
    The main drawback with Crime Scene Investigation: Dark Motives is the impossibility to make mistakes. Try to obtain a mould of a footprint by using the wrong substance gains you a curt, “No, use something else”, or words to that manner.
  16. Adventure Gamers
    50
    It is absolutely comical the depths that the game stoops to in order to hold your hand.
  17. Next Level Gaming
    50
    It needs a boat load of work. More cases, more challenge, and better animation could make this game a reasonable buy. I thought Kung-Fu Theater went out in the 80's?
  18. Computer Games Magazine
    50
    The soulless interface just grinds you down. [July 2004, p.68]
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Awards & Rankings

90
#90 Most Shared PC Game of 2004

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. NatnessZ.
    Apr 6, 2006
    10
    I've played this game for over a year now and I am completely fixated with it. It is amazing- well worth every penny. And having the I've played this game for over a year now and I am completely fixated with it. It is amazing- well worth every penny. And having the added edition of the real actors giving voice overs you feel like you've been put into the game- it is well worth playing!… Full Review »
  2. BrittanyK.
    Jul 9, 2004
    8
    This is a fun game. If your lookin for a game with a bit of hard mystery, this is the game! It's fun to work with Cathrine, Greg, This is a fun game. If your lookin for a game with a bit of hard mystery, this is the game! It's fun to work with Cathrine, Greg, analize evidence yourself on the computer, and pretend to be that rookie investigator. This is deffinatly a fun game, with some challenges(if your not a total brilliant computer game geek)haha… Full Review »
  3. PetriT.
    Mar 31, 2004
    10
    This game is absolutely amazing! ubisoft did it again.
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