A Case of Distrust

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 433 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • music
A Case of Distrust Game Cover
A well-formed slice of noir mystery, beautifully presented. Some writing issues aside, A Case of Distrust is well worth your time.
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What Is This? A Case of Distrust is a narrative mystery from 1924 San Francisco. Play as private investigator Phyllis Cadence Malone in this historical 2D adventure game. Explore underground...

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Mobile Platform
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 433 reviews
story103 positive mentions
replayability6 negative mentions
  • The game features a stylish art direction and an engaging jazz soundtrack that perfectly captures the 1920s noir atmosphere.
  • The dialogue is well-written, with interesting characters and immersive conversations, especially during taxi rides that add depth to the story.
  • The gameplay encourages players to think critically and piece together clues, making them feel like a real detective.
  • The game is quite short, typically taking only 2-4 hours to complete, which some players feel does not justify the full price.
  • The mystery can feel straightforward and lacks complexity, leading to a less satisfying conclusion.
  • There are some frustrating gameplay mechanics, such as tedious navigation between locations and a cluttered evidence menu that can detract from the overall experience.
  • story257 mentions

    The game's story is a noir detective narrative set in 1920s San Francisco, praised for its engaging atmosphere and art style, though many players found it short and lacking depth. While some appreciated the character development and historical context, others felt the plot was predictable and the gameplay tedious, leading to a sense of dissatisfaction with the ending. Overall, the story is seen as enjoyable but not particularly groundbreaking, with potential for a sequel to expand on its themes and characters.

    • “I found the story very interesting given the time period it is themed within.”
    • “This game has an excellent story and serves as an excellent time piece for the 1920's.”
    • “The story is good and the art services it quite well.”
    • “I found I couldn't care about the characters and lost interest in the story.”
    • “The story also runs well out of steam at the end and the final twist is laughable.”
    • “The story didn't move me and the gameplay wasn't compelling enough for me to really love it.”
  • graphics186 mentions

    The graphics of "A Case of Distrust" are widely praised for their stylish and minimalist art style, effectively capturing the noir aesthetic of 1920s San Francisco. Many reviewers highlight the game's beautiful visuals and immersive atmosphere, complemented by a fitting jazz soundtrack, although some note that the simplicity of the graphics may detract from gameplay depth. Overall, the art direction is considered a strong point, enhancing the storytelling and ambiance of the game.

    • “This game is a wonderful noir murder case wrapped in beautiful visuals and followed with a great jazz track.”
    • “The artwork is fantastic, it's incredibly immersive with ambient sounds, and it really does transport you to a different world.”
    • “The graphics, music, and the atmosphere of the game were very pleasing, and the dialogue was well thought out and felt natural.”
    • “The visuals and music were the reason I got the game, but to me it felt like style over substance.”
    • “I wanted to like it for its aesthetics, but it's overall quite shallow.”
    • “While aesthetically pleasing, it was light on content (100% in 3.5 hours) and it left me wanting more.”
  • music144 mentions

    The music in the game has been widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, effectively capturing the essence of the 1920s noir setting with its jazzy and minimalist compositions. While many players appreciated the strong soundtrack and its contribution to immersion, some noted that the music could become repetitive and wished for more variety or original compositions. Overall, the combination of music and art style creates a captivating experience that complements the game's narrative and aesthetic.

    • “The soundtrack combined with the artwork helps set the mood and makes you really feel immersed in the gritty dark side of the roaring twenties.”
    • “The music is fantastic and fits very well with the theme.”
    • “The dialog, the visuals and the music blend together perfectly to recreate 1920s San Francisco.”
    • “I could expect something more from the plot (even if I appreciated the ending) and from the music.”
    • “It gets quite tedious clicking on things to ask about (especially when there is no voice acting, character faces, and the same music over and over again).”
    • “The music in this game only has one or two instruments playing at the same time; a shaker in one scene, a bass drum and a piano in another, and so on.”
  • gameplay96 mentions

    The gameplay is primarily a simple point-and-click mechanic, involving object examination and dialogue with NPCs, which some players found enjoyable and intuitive, while others criticized it for being basic and lacking depth. The game features a noir ambiance and strong visuals, but technical issues and a lack of compelling mechanics detracted from the overall experience for some. Overall, while the gameplay is straightforward and accessible, it may not satisfy those seeking a more complex or engaging detective experience.

    • “A relatively quick detective game with enjoyable background music, good art style, and fun gameplay.”
    • “Great writing and atmosphere elevate rather simple gameplay.”
    • “The story, gameplay, art, music, all come together for a wonderful package that gives you the feeling of cracking a case with your own intellect without it being overly convoluted and difficult.”
    • “This technical issue severely hampers the gameplay experience, rendering the game unplayable.”
    • “The story didn't move me and the gameplay wasn't compelling enough for me to really love it.”
    • “The evidence/statement mechanic gets a bit confusing and thus, some crucial info is easy to overlook.”
  • atmosphere30 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive 1920s noir aesthetic, enhanced by carefully selected music and appealing art style. Players appreciate the combination of minimalist graphics, engaging dialogue, and a charming speakeasy vibe, which collectively create a captivating and enjoyable experience, even if the gameplay itself is relatively simple. Overall, the atmosphere is described as a standout feature that elevates the narrative and encourages leisurely exploration.

    • “The title brims with a speakeasy aesthetic and jazzy atmosphere, has a lot of charming moments like the talks with taxi drivers and the minimalist presentation fits right in with the style.”
    • “Fantastic minimalist art, perfect music, brilliant dialogue, and a setting that is so perfect from both an atmospheric and historical perspective.”
    • “Great writing and atmosphere elevate rather simple gameplay.”
    • “Bring the atmosphere of a hardboiled novel, put a background music of that time.”
    • “The tone and atmosphere.”
    • “It's not long or particularly deep, but it absolutely nails its atmosphere and aesthetic; and the story manages to be engaging all the way through.”
  • replayability20 mentions

    The game has been widely criticized for its lack of replayability, with many reviewers noting that it can be completed in just a few hours and offers little incentive to play again. While the characters and setting are praised, the straightforward nature of the gameplay and minimal choices contribute to a consensus that the game does not justify its price point. Overall, it is seen as a fun but ultimately short experience with no real replay value.

    • “Not much replay value, but if you're looking for something quick, definitely a good buy.”
    • “If there adds a 'fail' in it, it means you probably cannot solve the case or lead you to misjudgment, and just ends so, and no results can be undone; it can be replayable.”
    • “Also, it's a short game with no real replay value.”
    • “Not for a game that can be cleared in 3 hours (without any guide for speed running) and offers 0 replay value.”
    • “2.6 hours for one playthrough, no real replayability, too little for the price point.”
    • “Not much reactivity or choice during the story, so there is no replay value.”
  • grinding16 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is often described as tedious, particularly during the investigation process, where repetitive clicking and a lack of voice acting contribute to a sense of monotony. Players find the abundance of dialogue options and evidence management overwhelming, leading to frustration rather than achievement. While some enjoy the overall experience, the repetitive elements can detract from the enjoyment.

    • “The investigation process eventually becomes tedious and the ending completely takes away any sense of achievement.”
    • “It gets quite tedious clicking on things to ask about, especially when there is no voice acting, character faces, and the same music over and over again.”
    • “For one, there's too much stuff to click on and everything you click on is classified as evidence, which means that scrolling through your evidence to find the one thing you need can be a little tedious.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game deeply immersive, often feeling as though they are witnessing genuine human experiences rather than scripted performances. The narrative evokes strong feelings, making moments particularly touching and impactful.

    • “Made me feel like I was watching people living, as opposed to a dramatization.”
    • “Touching when I get through.”
  • humor2 mentions

    Players appreciate the humor found in the taxi cab conversations, which offer interesting stories and light-hearted exchanges that enhance the overall experience and provide a welcome break from more serious moments in the game.

    • “The conversations you can have in the taxi cabs while traveling from place to place provide interesting stories and humorous exchanges that help lighten the mood between questioning.”
  • character development2 mentions

    The character development in the game is highly praised for its meticulous craftsmanship, encompassing detailed character design, vibrant colors, and engaging dialogue that includes clever red herrings.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

Buy A Case of Distrust

Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
2-3hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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