The Silver Case

Although lack of experience and some unexpected clichés can be painful, The Silver Case is like a debut punk rock album that was way ahead of its time. [13/2016, p.63]

A visual novel with a good story, but a bad rhythm, no voices, and poor gameplay. Like Deadly Premonition, only the most hardcore gamers may enjoy it.

The Silver Case's uncanny brand of Erotic Grotesque Nonsense absolutely isn't for everyone, but those willing to penetrate its deliberately obtuse shell will find a deeply thoughtful mystery.

It's a very peculiar game, definitely not for everyone, but it tells two very interesting stories: the story of the game itself and that of the origins of Grasshopper Manufacture.

Sociological questions about mental illness and crime, unethical romantic relationships, and mysterious world building all combine into a game that demands you to think in ways many others do not.

The Silver Case's unusual take on human conversations, its indecision about whether it wants to be just a visual novel or an adventure game where the player is a full participant, and its lack of focus in tying up any sort of cohesive plot, all add up to a mess of a game.

What you’re left with is an interesting curio, a relic from a bygone era by a talented developer. Whilst it’s clear to see the game’s ambition and the fact that it’s utterly unique, it’s also encumbered by a bizarre control scheme, some experimental storytelling techniques that don’t pull together well, and some cringe-worthy navel-gazing dialogue that disappears up its own bottom.

A weird, often impenetrable experience, The Silver Case is ultimately rewarding.

It is a testament to Suda's forward thinking that all these years later The Silver Case manages to succeed in its storytelling. This is especially true in terms of the way it builds quirky characters and a quality hardboiled detective plot. The Silver Case takes a little time to find its footing, but it finishes more strongly than it begins, and is a real treat for genre fans.

Were one to be completely honest, the gameplay found in The Silver Case would garner it a middling score. The controls are a bit too clunky, leaving the excellent puzzle design to carry the work, but the game is more of a showcase for the story. On that front, The Silver Case succeeds.