Criminal Case (video game)
| Criminal Case | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Pretty Simple |
| Platform(s) | Facebook (Adobe Flash), iOS, Android |
| Release | Facebook November 15, 2012 iOS August 28, 2014 Android April 15, 2015 |
| Genre(s) | Puzzle |
Criminal Case (commonly abbreviated as "CC") is a detective-themed hidden object game released on November 15, 2012 for Facebook. An iOS version was released worldwide on August 28, 2014, followed by an Android version on April 15, 2015. Developed and published by French indie studio Pretty Simple, Criminal Case has over ten million average monthly users. Criminal Case has become a very popular game since the start of 2013 and also has been highly competitive with Candy Crush Saga, the most popular game on Facebook with over 46 million average monthly users. On December 9, 2013, Criminal Case was crowned the Facebook Game of the Year 2013, beating Candy Crush.[1]
Game play
The player acts as a detective to solve murders, locating relevant clues at the crime scenes by clicking items in the scene. Higher scores can be earned by finding items as fast as possible. The scores obtained will fill the bar on each scene. Filling the bar will award the player Stars, an in-game currency for cases that can later be used to perform tasks such as examining evidence and interrogating suspects. During this process, player will also have to come across necessary autopsies and analyses that may take a few real-time hours to complete. During the course of the case, player may find killer profiles, an critical hints that will be used in capture the suspect.
In the last stage of every case, the player must reason who the killer is from one of the suspects, using the killer profiles obtained at the course of the game. By successfully identifying the suspect you can eventually proceed to the additional stages. Successfully clearing the additional stages, will let you proceed to the next case.
There are also puzzle elements to the game. Several simple click-and-drag activities (dubbed "forensic mini-games") were given to add some more variety to the player's routine. There was also additional scenes at each case that can be unlocked by obtaining several stars. These additional scenes are bonus rounds featuring several minigames, such as time attack, find the difference, etc.
There are currently more than 140 cases in this game, stated to have 171 cases in total, with 45 stars in each case (with the exception of the first case, which has 15 stars, and the second case, which has 30 stars). 3 medals and 3 rings can be earned in each case. Obtaining gold medals in each case (which can be obtained by gaining all stars in each scene) will unlock the dog shop, which allows the players to buy police dogs that can aid you in each case, as well help finding bonuses in the scene, adding extra energy, experience points and lucky cards. Other than that, all remaining stars can be used for buy energy, coins and sticker packs.
Lucky cards can be obtained from friends, after which they can be traded for several items and money.
There are also various progression features integrated into the game. The most relevant one of these is the energy meter; energy is necessary to investigate crime scenes. This energy meter can be filled by energy filling items, such as orange juices, potato chips and burgers. The energy bar also can be exceed the limit, allowing the player to contain many energy to be used, without worry about running out.
Plot
Set in a contemporary fictionalized version of the United States, the game begins when the silent protagonist – an anonymous rookie cop whose name actually corresponds to the gamer's entered name – is shown pursuing a career with the Grimsborough Police Department; a law enforcement agency in the fictional city of Grimsborough (which seems to have been modeled after New York City). Partnered alongside Inspector Jones – a senior but lazy and comical detective in the force – the protagonist soon proves an auspicious talent, defying obstacles like ruthless murderers, serial killers, and notorious organizations, even catching the mayor's attention in the process. The game's cases are divided into chapters and are presented as a visual novel.
After solving a total of fifty-six cases across Grimsborough, the protagonist succeeds in bringing peace back to the city, thus earning a major promotion to the Pacific Bay Police Department; the primary law enforcement agency in Pacific Bay (a fictional city principally based on the likes of Los Angeles, California). The protagonist then receives a farewell party from fellow Grimsborough PD officers before departing with memories and respect.
Leaving Grimsborough, the protagonist sets foot in the city of Pacific Bay. Now assigned with Officer Young and Detective Knight in the Pacific Bay PD.
After the fifty-nine cases around Pacific Bay, the protagonist brings peace to the area, and is promoted to the world's top agency The Bureau. The protagonist leaves after a funeral held for Detective Knight.
Leaving Pacific Bay, the player plays in the World Edition, which includes countries of the real world. The protagonist is assigned to work with Elite Force Agent Archer and Elite Detective Martinez.
Popularity
As of mid-2013, Criminal Case attracted more than ten million monthly average users and became highly competitive with Candy Crush Saga, the most popular game on Facebook with over 46 million average monthly users.[2]
On December 9, 2013, Criminal Case won the Facebook Game of the Year 2013 award.[3] The game has a 40-percent share of Facebook users.[4]
Some reasons cited for the game's success include its graphic crime scenes and meaningful narratives.[5]
References
- ^ Tach, Dave (December 9, 2013). "Facebook crowns Criminal Case the top game of 2013". Polygon. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
- ^ Citation?
- ^ Glasser, AJ (December 9, 2013). "Facebook Games of the Year 2013". Facebook. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
- ^ MacGuill, Dan (December 10, 2013). "Made in France 'Criminal Case' conquers Facebook". The Local. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
- ^ "Criminal Case - Facebook Showcase Blog". Facebook. Retrieved 23 February 2014.