Case Files: Behind Closed Doors

About

"Case Files: Behind Closed Doors" is a narrative-driven detective game where players must solve an abusive boyfriend's murder. By examining evidence, finding contradictions in suspect interviews, and making key decisions, players will determine the guilt of one of four suspects and ensure justice is served. With multiple endings and alternate interview clips, replayability is encouraged.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Case Files: Behind Closed Doors screenshot

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 58 reviews

gameplay12 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

Engaging and immersive gameplay that makes players feel like real detectives, with strong narrative elements and meaningful choices.
Realistic FMV visuals and excellent acting contribute to a captivating atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.
Multiple endings and replay value encourage players to revisit the game, providing a satisfying challenge in piecing together the mystery.

Limited variety in gameplay mechanics and environments, leading to a somewhat linear experience that may feel repetitive.
Some plot holes and superficial narrative elements can frustrate players looking for a more realistic detective experience.
Pacing issues and a lack of interactivity during interrogations may leave some players wanting more control over the investigation process.

gameplay
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
66%
7%
The gameplay is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the immersive detective experience and the blend of live-action video and first-person elements, which enhance the narrative and challenge. However, many criticize the lack of meaningful mechanics and interactivity, often feeling that the gameplay is overly simplistic and not engaging enough, leading to a disconnect between the detective theme and the actual mechanics. Overall, while the game offers "aha!" moments and a strong narrative, it falls short in providing a robust gameplay experience.
- “The gameplay makes you feel like a legit detective, right down to the 'aha!' moments and occasional overconfidence.”
- “The mix of FMV and first-person graphical gameplay was a pleasant surprise, blending naturally and enhancing the experience as I delved into the mystery.”
- “The interactive nature of the office adds layers to the gameplay, as you must manage your tasks efficiently and piece together the clues.”
- “Mechanics: there are no meaningful mechanics to be found in cfbcd.”
- “Literally the entire gameplay consists of watching a live-action video that's between 4-10 minutes, then answering a question.”
- “The gameplay consists of document dumping, listening to a 15 minute interview, and answering one question, usually not the one you'd want to ask.”
story
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
80%
10%
The game's story is generally well-received, with a believable environment that enhances the narrative and engaging character development, particularly noted in the performances of Charles and Janice. While some minor plot holes and a few frustrating moments exist, they do not significantly detract from the overall experience. However, there are calls for more variety and interesting outcomes in the story to elevate it further.
- “The developers have done an excellent job of creating a believable environment that enhances the storytelling.”
- “Overall, I highly recommend 'Case Files: Behind Closed Doors' to anyone who enjoys detective work, puzzle-solving, and immersive storytelling.”
- “I found myself getting especially invested in the case and characters, enjoying the longer format of the game and intently hanging on to every story detail.”
- “That part of the plot seemed deliberately stupid, but it could have been explained with the killer's naivete.”
- “It could really use more interesting outcomes and more variety in both the story and gameplay.”
- “Noire and her story (I wasn't a fan of her story after I reached the end, for what it's worth).”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
38%
13%
The graphics in the game receive a solid 7/10, with particular praise for the realistic full-motion video (FMV) visuals that significantly enhance immersion. The user interface is also highlighted for its interactivity, reminiscent of "Deep Rock Galactic," and the seamless blend of FMV and first-person gameplay adds to the overall experience.
- “The mix of FMV and first-person graphical gameplay was a pleasant surprise, blending naturally and enhancing the experience as I delved into the mystery.”
- “The FMV visuals are realistic and contribute greatly to the immersive experience.”
- “More so than graphical fidelity, I have to give kudos to the UI - it reminds me of Deep Rock Galactic how much of the interactivity takes place on in-game monitor buttons.”
- “+ realistic FMV visuals.”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The optimization of the game is generally well-received, with users reporting no performance issues or bugs, leading to a solid score of 7/10 for graphics quality and performance. Overall, the game runs smoothly, enhancing the experience without technical distractions.
- “Performance: no issues with performance and I noticed no bugs.”
- “Performance: no issues with performance and I noticed no bugs.”
- “Performance: no issues with performance and I noticed no bugs.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players highlight the game's strong emotional engagement, noting that the nuanced performances of characters like Charles and Janice significantly enhance the narrative depth. The incorporation of critical thinking and the analysis of emotional cues in storytelling fosters a deep involvement in the investigative process. Overall, the emotional aspect is praised for its ability to immerse players in the story.
- “The game requires critical thinking, and I appreciated how it made me feel deeply involved in the investigation.”
- “Charles and Janice were both top notch; the emotional delivery and range they showed really added a ton of depth to the story itself.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game received mixed feedback, with several users noting that they did not notice any music at all, leading to a lack of memorable audio experience. Overall, the music aspect appears to be underwhelming and not a significant feature of the game.
- “Music: I didn’t notice any music.”
- “Music: I didn’t notice any music.”
- “Music: I didn’t notice any music.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The game offers strong replayability due to its multiple endings and branching paths, allowing players to unlock alternate interview clips and explore different narrative routes. This encourages revisiting the game for a varied experience.
- “Multiple endings add to the replay value.”
- “Two endings and paths provide good replay value.”
- “The replay value is significant, as you can revisit the game to unlock alternate interview clips and explore different paths.”
- “+ multiple endings adding replay value.”