Jake Hunter: Detective Chronicles Developer: Arc System Works Published by: Aksys Genre: Puzzle Release Date: 06/11/08Note: Please excuse me for any spelling mistakes in this Review. First of all I should note that I originally made this review for GameFAQs under the username Snide_Scarred. This is both my first review here and my first review there. This WAS written by me, I can prove it if you check the email under this account and the email under that account on GameFAQs. I've editted the review to the please the rules, and also a few parts that I thought I must've written whilst I was high or something. Now that that's out of the way I'd like to present my review: GameplayUsually any games pride & joy would be the gameplay. The foundation of a game, any and every game needed it. And although this game DOES have it, it's not the reason you'd want to play. The reason is because this game has pretty much no real difficulty; you could blaze through on trial and error. It also doesn't let you leave any important place until you've done everything needed to be done, so you know you never missed anything and don't have to backtrack. The gameplay consists mostly of 3 options: Inspect: Allows you to examine a specific area/item which may lead to nothing (pre-determined list of items/areas), another area/item to inspect, or a person appearing. Talk allows you to speak to any of the people in the surrounding area, and Move (when it comes) allows you to move from one location to another. Also, in case 3 you are given the option to "Think" which lets you run through any information gathered at any point during the case, in the first two cases, you were forced to "Think" at certain points, though if you don't "Think" when you want to in the third, then you'll be forced to at certain points like the first two. Another noteworthy feature, is that in the 3rd case when you "Think" you can only go over what you've been through, picking up where you left of every time. Those were the main things anyway. There's also: Y for Suitcase: It contains any items you may find through out a case. R for Memo Pad: lets you run through testimonies and certain thing you find at certain places. L for lighting a cigarrete (yes lighting a cig) which initiates a little scene where Jake Hunter thinks of the next step, or just generally what you expect him to think about at the moment and Start which opens up the in game menu. Also, I thought I'd just throw this in; you fight. It isn't no Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword or anything, it's some very basic stuff that happens through the game that gives you options like "Uppercut", "Dodge Left", Hook" etc. Though it's not just fighting. At points in the game you get different options when in a certain situation like "Persuade", "Move Closer" etc. And also there's a password input menu, where you input 4 letter passwords found through out the game in dialogue, that give you bonus stuff like Jukeboxo) etc. StoryThis is the REAL gem of this game, albeit a pretty flawed one. You play as Jake Hunter, a private eye, - which is a detective anyone can hire for money - though in your first case, you actually work for the police. Along the game you'll be accompanied by Jake's only employee at Hunter Detective Agency, Yulia Marks. There are a few twists, decent plots and a not-so-dramtic script, though they do their job and let you grasp the personallity of a character. It may have you wanting to go further just to see what happens, who committed the heinous crime, whether it be murder, kidnap or theft. Each case also gets a little longer and a tad more interesting than the last. I personally couldn't find any plot holes (or any that really bothered me), only unanswered questions. This should be the reason you'd want this game. The only problem is the cases are to short and there aren't enough. Each case takes 1-3 hours. So beating the game should take 3-9 hours (though personally it took me 12 somehow). GraphicsAt certain points in the game you'll see cutscenes which have pretty good graphics for the system. Onto the visuals you'll see during the actual gameplay. First, as a little note I'd just like to point out that the text of the game, whilst not the best font is easy on the eyes and not hard to read. Though this game is a bit like both the Ace Attorney series and Hotel Dusk, the graphics seem more like Hotel Dusks. They're not as colorful or vibrant as AAs. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Also the characters never change their expressions, except like 3 of them. Other than that, no major complaints. Music/SoundThe music in this game is, amazingly, also a pretty good aspect of this game and almost perfectly suits the feel of the game except maybe 1 or 2 tracks. It gives a Jazzy feel to the game which suits both the graphics and the story. There's not much I can say about sound so I included it in the music section. The gunshots sound nice and the punches but there aren't many other sounds to review save for the occasional gunshot etc, although a pretty bad problem is each track istelf is pretty short so at the end of each it just repeats. Could get annoying. Gameplay - 4/10 More than a novel than a game and extremely straight forward, but has a pretty decent story. Beatable in much less than a day, but if you're looking for something to try during a lunch break, this may be a decent option. Presentation - 7/10 Forgetting about the linearity of it all, the fact that it's cut down a little short, has its fair share of plot holes and that it's only half of the original Japanese version, it ain't that bad. Graphics - 7/10 Not mind blowing but not too shabby either. Music/Sound - 8/10 Isn't comparible to OoTs soundtrack or Halo 3s, but it does it's job and you may even hum along with a few tracks, maybe even after they repeat. Lasting Appeal - 5/10 It's a game you beat once, maybe revisit a case if you want to, then get rid of. I'd say Rent over Buy. All in All – 31/50 Although this "game" is way too short, it is a decently good timekiller. Sure you can beat each case in around 2 hours a piece. Sure you can beat the entire game in half a day, but....*sigh* I hope you have an R4 or something because it's not worth laying down a few bucks for but I must admit that it was an enjoyable download.
Re: [DS] Jake Hunter: Detective Chronicles (U) - EL D This is not a bad review EL D. The screenshots do look nice, and the content you have in your review does a good job of explaining the mechanics and whatnot of the game. I do like the setup you have for the review. Hope to see another review in the future
Re: [DS] Jake Hunter: Detective Chronicles (U) - EL D Only problem is this. You did all the individual scores out of 50 instead of 10. Other than that, its not a bad review at all, especially since its your first one.
Re: [DS] Jake Hunter: Detective Chronicles (U) - EL D Thanks Reider. I editted it and hope it should be fine now. Guess I didn't give the rules a good enough read.
Re: [DS] Jake Hunter: Detective Chronicles (U) - EL D Good review, EL D! I like the setup too, although you shouldn't center those parts in the end. Plus, you forgot the Lasting Appeal, and story isn't countable as the analysis. The analysis should contain Presentation (not story), graphics, gameplay, sound and lasting appeal. But don't care for it much, minor mistake. note: Pretty nasty score.
Re: [DS] Jake Hunter: Detective Chronicles (U) - EL D Thanks Jin Kazama. I hope I've solved all fo the problems this time ??? I'd have done that sooner had I access to my internet. If there's anymore problems anyone notices I'd be hapy to rectify it. EDIT: Sorry Jin
Re: [DS] Jake Hunter: Detective Chronicles (U) - EL D Cool review, not so cool game. It seems like this is yet another DS digital novel masked as a game... I'll stick to Phoenix Wright, thanks.
