The Shapeshifting Detective

 PlayStation 4
The Shapeshifting Detective Image
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 4 Ratings

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  • Summary: The Shapeshifting Detective is a supernatural-noir murder mystery FMV game. Assume the role of a detective and investigate the murder by shapeshifting into any character… even the next victim.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. Digitally Downloaded
    Nov 14, 2018
    90
    The Shapeshifting Detective is proof that FMV titles can be done extremely well.
  2. PlayStation Universe
    Nov 6, 2018
    80
    A great FMV title to enjoy multiple times over and over. By changing the murderer each time I would restart the game I felt like I was playing a game of Clue with my PS4.
  3. PlaySense
    Nov 15, 2018
    70
    The interesting story keeps you playing, while the expertly built tension keeps you glued to the edge of your seat. However, the main gameplay gimmick of switching between characters doesn't really add much to the equation, leaving the overall experience to feel rather hollow.
  4. Push Square
    Nov 6, 2018
    60
    The Shapeshifting Detective is an interesting idea that seems to have love and care put into it. Unfortunately, it’s a little too basic, and despite the gimmick of changing into other characters, becomes dull after about an hour of play. The actual narrative is an interesting case however, with additional hinted backstory for your main character, which is somewhat compelling. The visuals and tone are good too, but the hit and miss acting and slow pace make for a slightly underwhelming shapeshifting whodunnit.
  5. DarkStation
    Nov 21, 2018
    60
    Unfortunately, the game is quite buggy with multiple technical issues and beyond the solid (but not great) story and replayability. There just isn't much else. Still, if you're a fan of the genre and you're itching for your next mystery murder read, The Shapeshifting Detective is an easy game to recommend for a good evening or two of getting lost in. Just be sure to temper your expectations a little.
  6. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Nov 14, 2018
    60
    A fan-pleasing return to form for a long-time PlayStation favourite, with huge future potential if it follows its contemporaries in delivering live roster updates. [Issue#156, p.97]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. SpazioGames
    Jan 2, 2019
    45
    The Shapshifting Detective is a game from the past, a Full Motion Video project that is out of our time. You can only choose between a pair of multiple dialogue options to discover who is the murder or shift from a character to another one. The story is way too simple and is not among the best written thriller.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 1 out of 1
  1. kultigin
    Nov 17, 2020
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I am not happy with the gameplay of a 2018 release game. All you do is to finish the conversations and find the end of the chapter. Sometimes you have to check all parts of the available places to find what is missing to end the chapter. Making it feel unbearable.… Expand