This is the Zodiac Speaking

 Xbox One
This is the Zodiac Speaking Image
Metascore
30

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: Story-driven FPP mystery thriller-horror with stealth and detective modes based on facts from the world-famous story of Zodiac, a never-captured American serial killer.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 4 out of 5
  1. GameSkinny
    Oct 9, 2020
    60
    This Is The Zodiac Speaking is two games in one, and while neither is stellar, one of them is certainly better than the other. In Serial Killer Mode, the Zodiac's pursuits feel broken and will leave you more frustrated than frightened, but switch the game over to its more investigations-heavy mode, and the true-crime nerds will get a kick out of the many details strewn about the game.
  2. TheXboxHub
    Oct 9, 2020
    40
    If you pitched This is the Zodiac Speaking to us at a Dragon’s Den, we would have given you the money. A true-crime hunt for the real-life serial killer, in partnership with the Investigation Discovery channel: it feels like a no brainer. Unfortunately, like the infamous scene from the Hannibal movie, it feels more like someone else is spooning your brains out. This could have been the gateway to more true crime games on the Xbox One – instead, it’s a gateway to something a little more hellish.
  3. Xbox Tavern
    Oct 29, 2020
    29
    For a title that has as interesting a premise as This is the Zodiac Speaking, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Tough to read stealth mechanics, a wooden cast delivering a bland story, dull visuals and audio, and some baffling UI and technical issues mean that I cannot recommend this to even the most ardent of thriller fans.
  4. Screen Rant
    Oct 9, 2020
    10
    Whether players are looking for mystery or a new horror game, there are better options out there. It's truly disappointing that such a unique concept produced such a lackluster end result, but This is the Zodiac Speaking falls apart on every level. Its awkward pacing, lackluster gameplay, and laughable dialogue only scratch the surface of its problems.
  5. Game Rant
    Oct 10, 2020
    10
    Whether players are looking for mystery or a new horror game, there are better options out there. It's truly disappointing that such a unique concept produced such a lackluster end result, but This is the Zodiac Speaking falls apart on every level. Its awkward pacing, lackluster gameplay, and laughable dialogue only scratch the surface of its problems.

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Xbox_Alive
    Oct 22, 2020
    5
    This Is The Zodiac Speaking is a First Person Horror Detective Game. At least that's the best way I can describe it. You play as a Journalist,This Is The Zodiac Speaking is a First Person Horror Detective Game. At least that's the best way I can describe it. You play as a Journalist, that receives a call from The Zodiac Killer making him part of that world. Through a series of "Living Dream" therapy sessions you unravel the story. You can play the game in two modes, Serial Killer mode, or Story Mode. Serial Killer mode sounded like the most fun so I went with it first. Don't. Both modes play exactly the same with one difference, in Serial Killer you are hunted by the Zodiac Killer in your dreams. Again, it sounds fun, but it more like annoying. The Zodiacs AI its too sensitive, and can sometimes get you, when it hasn't. When you are captured, you're killed and you respawn. You lose nothing but time, hiding or dying. It felt like he was around too frequently to feel like I had time to do anything.The controls have no dead-zone, leading to drifting and jerky turning, making pointing at small clues a nightmare. I feel like the combination of having the killer and the touchy controls make the game drag on. Story mode allows you the time and lenience to work with the over-sensitivity. The concept is great, but it doesn't come together well. If you like a decent sleuth game, play this one in story mode.… Expand