Shadows of Doubt is an open-world detective game set in an alternate 1970s sci-fi universe, featuring procedurally generated environments, characters, and quests. As a private investigator and/or burglar for hire, your primary objective is to gather information and intel to solve crimes and murders, or engage in less scrupulous activities to earn a living.
Although the game is currently in early access and subject to changes as the development team works towards its release goal, the current version is incredibly engaging, humorous, and entertaining to play. The voxel art style, coupled with the procedural generation of the game’s world, characters, and missions, creates a unique and captivating gaming experience. I’m personally looking forward to seeing how the team expands the game’s scope and features to provide an even more immersive experience.
As with any game that offers such a high degree of immersion, variety, and freedom, there may be certain obstacles that players encounter. While the game has an in-depth tutorial to guide new players through the investigative process, there are still a multitude of quirks and nuances that require further explanation. As a result, I’ve prepared a quick guide detailing the top ten things that every new player should know before embarking on their adventure in Shadows of Doubt.
10 Things You Should Know Before Playing
This is not a FPS shooter.
While the game features firearms, weapons, and a first-person perspective, it primarily revolves around stealth, puzzles, problem-solving, and classic detective work. Players should avoid violence whenever possible, as the objective is to solve murders rather than commit them, unless their life is genuinely in danger.
Every character in the game has their own life.
Each character in the game has their own life story, with procedurally generated cities featuring unique populations engaged in their daily lives. They have their own apartments, jobs, friends, and colleagues, all independent of the player’s actions. As a private investigator, discretion is key, and understanding their daily routine can help reduce interference with their affairs while searching for clues in their homes or workplaces.
It is only a crime if you get caught.
It is only considered a crime if the player is caught. While gathering evidence to solve a crime or satisfy a client’s demands may require bending a few rules, certain activities may result in potential fines, arrests, or even lethal force if discovered. It’s important to be aware of surveillance, security measures, and the authorities. In case of being seen committing a crime, the best option is to escape, as the game keeps a tally of fines only while a crime is being committed. The tally will disappear if the player escapes without being caught.
The streets are not safe.
The streets in the game are dangerous, and most of the people you encounter are unlikely to be friendly. In some instances, they may attempt to rob or fight the player. In such situations, players should be prepared to defend themselves, flee, or surrender their possessions. It’s best to avoid using violence, as it can lead to criminal charges in public areas.
Home is where the heart is.
Home plays a crucial role in the game, as the player’s inventory is initially limited. Starting with the “Dead of the Night” quest provides the player with a stylish apartment containing useful items to assist in solving the first case. Owning a home helps players to stockpile resources, stay fed, hydrated, and rested. Additionally, players can use their apartment as a status symbol, redecorating or moving to a larger apartment as they earn more money.
Disks and upgrades will help you develop your character’s skills and inventory space.
Upgrades and disks can enhance the player’s skills and inventory space. Early installation and upgrades of inventory slots can help players set themselves up for success in future cases. As players progress, they will come across various opportunities to upgrade and reinstall. However, players should choose their upgrades wisely to maximize their value, as reinstalling skills requires new disks.
Security measures are highly effective.
The game’s security systems are not limited to just cameras. There are also silent alarms and security doors that can easily foil your efforts. Some cameras can even see in the dark, making it harder for you to go undetected. Shutting down the whole system by accessing a breaker panel connected to the security measures is the safest way to avoid detection. Security systems can also provide you with valuable information on your victim and potential suspects, so it’s important to take a peek at security footage when you have access to their databases.
Detailed note-taking is crucial.
The first case, “Dead of the Night,” provides you with a lot of information and sets you up for success. However, the quality of your investigative work will determine your success going forward. It’s important to pin all suspects, evidence, locations, and any other pertinent information related to the case. The notebook interface allows you to create mind maps of evidence and suspects, and while you can create separate tabs, you are limited in how many active ones you can have. This is something to keep in mind when handling multiple cases.
Use city directories, address books, and employment records to your advantage.
Accessing these databases and cross-referencing information can help generate leads on people and locations. A single piece of information found on a suspect or victim can lead to a wealth of information when referenced with these databases. A phone book can crack open more than a few cases, and most of your suspects will have some sort of existing relationship or contact with the victim.
Always carry a newspaper.
Although the game provides numerous hiding spots, some situations may not allow you to conceal yourself in a kitchen cabinet or beneath a desk. In such cases, you can utilize a newspaper to disguise yourself and immerse yourself in the articles like a true detective.
BONUS: Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.
By choosing an item from your inventory and closing the interface, you can hold a variety of objects in your hands. To enhance your gaming experience, you can equip a cigar and channel your inner Columbo, or toss the cigar at your suspect after capturing them. If you come across a kitchen knife or hammer, equipping them during a necessary confrontation may level the playing field, but be cautious, as it could also result in becoming the target of a murder investigation.
