Developer: NExT Studios
Publisher: 505 Games
Genre: Puzzle
Reviewed For: Nintendo Switch
Also Available On PlayStation, Xbox, and PC
Unheard: Voices of Crime is a mystery game in which players take on the role of a detective. The fun spin here is that players are able to return to the crime scene to hear what it sounded like. Players will then have to deduce the details and solve the crime.
During each case, players will revisit a crime scene to understand what went down. They will need to match voices, pin when events occurred, and even find who is relevant to the case. The gameplay is exciting for those who want genuinely want a challenging detective experience, and the unique gimmick makes it enticing to those who genuinely wouldn’t play this type of game. It’s a truly unique experience that I haven’t seen in another game.
Unlike some crime games, players won’t just be solving murders. Sure, those are there, but players also get to solve other kinds of cases, including robberies and bombings. It’s a nice change of pace that ends just a little too soon. With about 5 cases, players will find the experience over just as soon as they realize that they want more.
After the initial case, there isn’t any handholding, and players are expected to solve the case on their own. It makes for some truly difficult moments, even with the ability to listen to the same scenes repeatedly. Unlike some detective games though, players can’t come to the wrong conclusion and leave a case unsolved. They are forced to figure it out, which can lead to some frustrating segments if the player isn’t able to catch on.
Unheard – Voices of Crimes comes with a neat visual aesthetic that suits the premise. Anyone who has played Perception will have an idea of what Unheard‘s color palette consists of. The visuals are simple, with dark greys and blues that don’t distract and allow for players to focus on their cases. Cases are viewed from a top-down perspective so that players can freely navigate and take in the crime scene. Buildings appear as blueprints aiding with the crime-scene vibe. The graphics are sharp, and the objects in the scene are easily distinguishable, which makes it easy to identify clues.
Despite how short and difficult Unheard – Voices of Crime can be, it’s certainly one of the most innovative detective games on the Switch. Fans of the genre, or even just puzzle game fans, will want to investigate this one.
