Nicole Bonnet is an FBI agent
based in New York City. Her partner is killed suddenly, but instead of being
allowed to work on that case, she is instead assigned to working a different
case with a new partner. This new case involves several grisly, ritualistic
murders that appear to be the work of a serial killer. The trail begins in New
York, but eventually leads to South America.
The game begins with the murder of
Nicole’s partner. Shortly afterwards (in game time, that is), she’s back at
the office and ready to get back to work. In this big, dangerous city of New
York, this branch of the FBI only has three desks for the rank and file
officers and one desk for the boss. Nicole is the only regular officer here,
as she prepares to investigate her partner’s death. The secretary is here,
though, and Nicole chats with her and then tries to head out. Oh, wait, she
has to write up the report, first, before she can leave. Drat, the printer is
out of paper! This is too exciting.
At this point in the game, we
don’t know anything about the story. Nicole’s partner was killed, but that’s
all we know. This lack of story background, combined with the very mundane
tasks that Nicole has to undertake, makes for a rather ho-hum beginning.
Fortunately, the game does become more interesting later on when Nicole
travels to Peru, but that’s not saying a whole lot.
The Art of Murder: FBI
Confidential is a point-and-click adventure in the usual style, but one that
relies on a police procedural approach, similar to CSI. This is a good idea,
and one that should have worked well in this setting, but the way it’s handled
is rather boring. The tasks don’t seem to make a whole lot of sense, and often
either items can’t be used or picked up until later in the game when they are
relevant, or Nicole can’t move ahead in the game because of something not
done. Fortunately, there is a hint system (needed items or places will light
up) and the inventory puzzles aren’t very difficult.
The interface is the typical icon
approach to interacting with the environment. It’s handled efficiently and
easily. Right-clicking when the appropriate icon appears will trigger the
needed event.
The music is adequate, but not
very soul-stirring. The sound effects are present and do a decent job of
emulating the activities in the scenes. Where the game falls down in the sound
department is in the voice acting. Partly due to the random remarks that don’t
have a whole lot to do with anything going on at the moment, but mainly due to
bad voice-acting, the voiced conversations are bland and dull. There are some
rather funny remarks pointed at pop-culture, but they don’t hit the mark very
often due to the overall writing and voice-acting. There is also a lot of
cursing, which may have its place in some scenes with an FBI agent, but here
it’s as if these words were placed randomly for the sake of existence.
This game is fairly easy, and with
the hint system it’s hard to get stuck. The puzzles become harder later in the
game in South America, but then they often don’t make a whole lot of sense.
The Art of Murder isn’t a bad
game, but neither is it a very good game. There are good aspects to it, but
when mixed with the bad parts it’s a mediocre package. The game begins
decently enough, but it never gets off the ground. The boring puzzles and bad
voice-acting make it hard for players to get into the game while playing.
Nicole has a hard time with her script; it’s all over the place. Her remarks
often jar with the scene.
The Art of Murder is probably best
enjoyed if purchased as a bargain for a weekend play.
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Gameplay: 6.0
This game is rather boring and it’s difficult to
get into the story. The interface is designed well and it’s easy enough to
play, but just not very interesting.
Graphics: 7.0
The game looks pretty decent and the characters
move smoothly. The environments are nicely drawn and populated.
Sound: 7.0
The music is not very memorable, but isn’t bad,
either.
Difficulty: Medium
There isn’t anything that is particularly difficult.
Concept: 6.0
This game is just like all the other average
adventure games out there.
Overall: 6.0
This game is a mediocre adventure game that may
offer a few hours of enjoyment to some. Much of it is illogical or
unexplained, and the voice-acting is hard to get past. There are lots of thing
to do with the inventory puzzles, but they aren’t very interesting or
challenging. This isn’t the worst game out there, but neither is it the best.
Players who are looking for a few filler hours of CSI-like gaming may enjoy
it.
