Case Files: The Death of Paulette Williams

About

"Case Files: The Death of Paulette Williams" is a choose-your-own-adventure style police interrogation game. As the lead detective, you must guide your partner to find the truth behind the murder of 62-year-old Paulette Williams, using real-time FMV interviews, case files, and observation skills. Key decisions made throughout the game will shape the investigation and determine the outcome. With multiple endings and alternate interview clips, replayability is encouraged in both Standard and VR modes.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Case Files: The Death of Paulette Williams screenshot

67%

Audience ScoreBased on 30 reviews

story6 positive mentions

grinding1 negative mentions

The game features stellar acting that enhances the immersive detective experience.
It offers an interesting story with multiple endings, encouraging replayability.
The concept of using real actors in an FMV format is well-executed, providing a unique take on the detective genre.

The game is very short, with playthroughs averaging around one hour, which may leave players wanting more content.
There are limited choices and interactions, making it feel more like an interactive movie than a traditional game.
The writing and scenario could be improved, as many players felt that important clues were missing and the plot had significant holes.

story
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
53%
16%
The game's story is relatively short, taking about an hour to complete, and is set in a single room with limited choices that impact the narrative. While some players found the acting and immersive presentation commendable, others criticized the brevity and lack of significant decision-making. However, the game features branching storylines that can lead to different outcomes, making it engaging for those who enjoy detective work and character interactions.
- “It is fairly short (approximately 1 hour per playthrough), limited to one single room, and only offers 3 decisions to the player, but I found the story interesting and the acting quite good.”
- “Regardless, it's nice that there weren't any cinematic mistakes, and the type of presentation was a good fit for the story; it felt immersive and plausible.”
- “This game has a good cast with great acting; the characters are believable and the story is gradually played out by interrogating suspects.”
- “The lady's acting is terrible, the story is too short, and only has three choices that don't make that much of a difference.”
- “It's on the right path, but maybe it needs a very quick DLC to not lose any immediate fans to expand the storyline or add in more characters.”
- “This game has a good cast with great acting, the characters are believable and the story is gradually played out by interrogating suspects.”
gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The gameplay is described as minimal yet engaging, featuring a blend of interactive elements reminiscent of "Her Story" while incorporating multiple endings based on player choices. Although some reviewers appreciate the solid mechanics and the realistic portrayal of a police interrogation, others note that the gameplay experience is limited. Overall, fans of FMV games find enjoyment in the title and express interest in future developments.
- “It's kinda like 'Her Story' but with some actual gameplay instead of just watching random scenes, then drawing your own conclusions outside the game.”
- “And not only is there some gameplay, there are multiple endings (7 total) as well, based on decisions and conclusions made.”
- “The gameplay was pretty solid and enjoyable.”
- “There is almost no gameplay to speak of.”
- “However, while this is a very realistic dramatization of a police interrogation on a murder mystery, there is very little gameplay.”
- “This is the basic gameplay loop.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The optimization of the game is commendable, particularly in the seamless execution of long, uninterrupted scenes that showcase the actors' realistic performances. This attention to detail enhances the overall storytelling experience, as the actors consistently deliver strong performances without noticeable flaws.
- “The actors deserve special recognition for maintaining their realistic performances throughout long uninterrupted scenes of up to 20 minutes - this is not a setup where mistakes could have been easily corrected by a cut and a 10-second reshoot.”
- “Good story with some pretty realistic performances.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its hilarious acting, although players note that the limited choice of options may restrict comedic variety.
- “The acting is hilarious; you only have about three options to choose from, and that's it.”
- “The humor is spot on, with clever dialogue that keeps you laughing throughout the game.”
- “I love how the game doesn't take itself too seriously, making every moment feel light-hearted and fun.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players found the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, with some expressing frustration over predictable plot elements, such as the obviousness of the female character being the killer, which detracted from the overall experience.
graphics
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics and presentation of the game have received positive feedback, with many users praising the detailed visuals and immersive environments. The art style is noted for its uniqueness, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal. However, some players have pointed out occasional performance issues that can detract from the visual experience.
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere is praised for its strong alignment with a realistic setting, enhancing the overall immersion of the game.
- “This fits well into the generally realistic setting and atmosphere.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers highlight that the option to toggle scene skipping significantly enhances the replayability of FMV games, a feature often lacking in the genre. This functionality allows players to revisit the game without the tedium of repetitive scenes, thereby increasing its overall value.
- “You can also toggle a setting to enable scene skipping, which is a feature that FMV games absolutely require to maintain any replay value, but many don't provide.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game allows players to enhance their experience by enabling background music from their phones, adding a personal touch to the audio atmosphere.