Investigator

About

Investigator is a single player simulation game with a horror theme. It was developed by AdroVGames and was released on June 1, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Investigator" is a single-player horror simulation game that features wonderful graphics using CryEngine and an immersive audio experience. As a former private investigator, players will explore various locations from mysterious villages to dark basements in a world of extreme weather cataclysms. The game offers a compelling soundtrack, plenty of humor, and a dense atmosphere for an unforgettable gaming experience. A free story DLC is also available in the main menu.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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64%

Audience ScoreBased on 351 reviews

story60 positive mentions

stability9 negative mentions

Stunning graphics and atmospheric design that effectively create a sense of isolation and dread.
Engaging sound design and music that enhance the overall experience.
Interesting premise with a unique setting that draws players into the world.

Confusing and disjointed storyline that lacks coherence and depth.
Limited gameplay mechanics with minimal interactivity and no real challenges.
Frequent bugs and technical issues, including problems with subtitles and character animations.

story
275 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
63%
15%
The game's story is widely criticized for being confusing, disjointed, and lacking coherence, with many players finding it difficult to follow or fully understand. While some appreciate the atmospheric storytelling and the potential for a deeper narrative, the overall execution leaves much to be desired, often feeling like a collection of impressions rather than a cohesive plot. Many reviews highlight that the story fails to engage, with abrupt transitions and insufficient character development, leading to a disappointing experience for those seeking a compelling narrative.
- “Rather than relying on combat or elaborate puzzles, it asks players to absorb the loneliness of its world and piece together fragments of a story through the environments themselves.”
- “For players drawn to atmospheric storytelling and environmental melancholy, this quiet despair may be precisely what makes it memorable.”
- “The story gets more interesting every minute, because the game doesn't reveal much at the beginning.”
- “Was really curious about the story right from the start, but the further you go, the more confusing it gets.”
- “The story is lacking and confusing.”
- “The result is a story that feels more like a collection of impressions than a mystery to be solved.”
graphics
203 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
40%
5%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their stunning visuals and atmospheric design, particularly highlighting the effective use of CryEngine. While many reviewers noted the impressive lighting, water effects, and overall aesthetic appeal, some pointed out limitations in graphics settings and occasional glitches. Overall, the visuals are considered the standout feature, often compensating for the game's narrative shortcomings.
- “The graphics are incredible.”
- “Absolutely stunning visuals!”
- “Using CryEngine 4, its graphics are clearly amazing.”
- “The graphics look bad; the gameplay is kind of boring, and the fact that the camera forces itself on certain story elements is kind of obnoxious.”
- “The graphics look outdated, but the scenery is well planned and atmospheric.”
- “This game would stand out from the crowd, but it's basically just a showcase of a graphics engine without proper content.”
atmosphere
91 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
28%
3%
The atmosphere in "Investigator" is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, effectively blending elements of horror and post-apocalyptic despair. Players appreciate the game's strong sound design, detailed environments, and the overall sense of tension and melancholy, which contribute to a memorable atmospheric experience. While some critiques mention limitations in gameplay and narrative, the visual and auditory elements are consistently highlighted as standout features that enhance the game's eerie ambiance.
- “Investigator, developed and published by AdrovGames, is an atmospheric first-person exploration horror game that invites players into a world on the brink of ruin.”
- “The atmosphere is thick, soaked in tension, violence, and the quiet horror of what people become when survival is all that’s left.”
- “The sound design and lighting do a good job of creating an eerie, tense atmosphere but once you realize how the game works you know you're never actually in danger.”
- “While this minimalist design allows the atmosphere to take center stage, it can also feel restrictive.”
- “Atmosphere was ok, but didn't really pull me in as much as I had hoped.”
- “The environments and atmosphere are worth experiencing because they did an excellent job with that... everything else is not good at all.”
gameplay
75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
72%
12%
The gameplay of the game is primarily characterized as a walking simulator, focusing on exploration with minimal interactive elements, such as simple puzzles and item collection. While the atmospheric visuals and sound design are praised, many reviewers criticize the lack of depth, coherence, and engaging mechanics, leading to a generally boring experience. Overall, the gameplay is seen as below average, with a reliance on cutscenes and a linear structure that detracts from player agency and enjoyment.
- “The player traverses a series of loosely connected locations, searching for small clues and solving simple mechanical tasks to progress.”
- “The gameplay itself is smooth and standard (WASD, crouch, jump, use) and just right for a dark night (or a basement).”
- “Beautiful graphics and the gameplay works just fine.”
- “Despite its strengths in mood and aesthetics, the game struggles with pacing and mechanical depth.”
- “It's a walking simulator with a ton of forced cut-scenes and no actual gameplay besides walking.”
- “There is no real gameplay which would be okay for a walking sim game, but since there's no story either, there's really nothing that makes this a game or worthwhile of your attention.”
music
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
46%
6%
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and haunting qualities, effectively enhancing the overall experience with ambient drones and purposeful melodies. Many players found the soundtrack to be beautiful and fitting for the game's narrative, with some even purchasing it separately. However, there are mixed opinions regarding its impact on gameplay, with some feeling it did not elevate the experience enough despite its quality.
- “The soundtrack is sparse, relying mostly on ambient drones and low, rumbling tones that heighten tension without overwhelming the player.”
- “I loved the wonderful music; it was suspenseful at times and soothing when needed.”
- “Playing over top of these expeditions is the beautifully haunting soundtrack by Nikolay Semenov, which is included for free.”
- “Just a black screen and music you can't skip.”
- “The music: sound/music went with the game but it did not really lift up the game from where it fell short.”
- “There were many wasted chances to scare a player, the music was bland in the occasions that it was there, the plot was subpar and honestly made little to no sense, and the game makes me feel like I should let the spiders eat me.”
optimization
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
31%
25%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing smooth performance while others report significant issues, including frame rate drops, soft locks, and a lack of customizable settings. Many users noted that regardless of whether they selected low-end or high-end options, performance remained inconsistent, leading to frustration. Overall, while some found it acceptable for an indie title, others deemed it poorly optimized, particularly at higher resolutions.
- “Doesn't matter if you pick low-end or high-end PC because performance is mostly the same.”
- “Seems to work fine and runs smoothly.”
- “Optimized very well also.”
- “Absolutely horrible optimization too and you can't change any options other than choosing from 'high-end PC' and 'low-end PC'.”
- “It lacks any sort of optimization and performance settings (even on low PC settings it will try to melt your hardware down).”
- “Good game but the worst experience due to bad optimization!”
humor
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, featuring cute and funny hidden finds, amusing dialogue, and unintentionally hilarious elements like poorly designed spiders and clunky jump scares. While some players appreciate the comedic aspects and quirky details, others find the humor to be overshadowed by cheap visuals and linear gameplay. Overall, the game offers moments of genuine amusement alongside its more awkward and unintentional comedic elements.
- “The hidden finds along the way are cute and funny.”
- “Some funny and interesting details to find within the game.”
- “It has a nice environment, cool levels, funny dialogues, and was overall nice to play.”
stability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
90%
The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, including camera issues on ultrawide monitors, graphical anomalies, and problematic hitboxes, particularly when using a controller. While some players report frame rate drops, others note that it runs smoothly for an indie title, suggesting that despite its instability, the game remains enjoyable and worth playing.
- “Runs smoothly; for an indie game, it has no freezes or stutters.”
- “The game maintains a consistent frame rate, making for a seamless experience.”
- “I haven't encountered any crashes or bugs, which is impressive for a game of this scale.”
- “What I will tell you is that this buggy mess of a game is a half-assed attempt at exploration and horror.”
- “Sidenote: if you use an ultrawide monitor, you will be getting some weird camera glitches when you get into tight corners.”
- “It's quite buggy (e.g., the fuse box part, for instance), particularly if you play with a controller, but the bugs are easy to look past.”
replayability
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
34%
44%
Overall, the game's replayability is considered very low, with many players noting its linear structure and lack of meaningful choices that would encourage multiple playthroughs. While some chapters can be replayed to collect missed achievements, the general consensus is that there is little incentive to revisit the game after completing it, leading to a low replay value rating.
- “Chapters are replayable, so even if you miss something, you can replay only the section where you missed an achievement.”
- “Replayability will be dependent upon DLC or added storylines introduced into the game.”
- “No replay value in this game at all; in my view, there's nothing to change in the way of choosing a different path.”
- “Very linear, so there’s no replay value once you’ve finished it.”
- “If you're thinking about buying the game, I'd wait till it was on sale because it's so short and the replayability is close to none.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is generally perceived as lacking, with a shallow story and underdeveloped characters that fail to foster deep investment. While some players find the narrative and dialogue unengaging, there is a desire for a more emotionally resonant experience, suggesting that the potential for depth exists but is not fully realized.
- “I personally wish it was longer and more emotional.”
- “The emotional depth of the characters is completely lacking, making it hard to connect with their struggles.”
- “I felt no emotional impact from the story; it was predictable and uninspired.”
- “The attempts at emotional moments fell flat, leaving me feeling indifferent rather than moved.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game can be tedious, particularly due to slow sections where players lose the ability to run, making the experience less enjoyable. While the game is inexpensive, it may not appeal to those who dislike repetitive farming for achievements.
- “Give this one a miss, unless you really love farming Steam achievements.”
- “I know it's cheap, but I won't be farming.”
- “Not that any of the levels are incredibly long, but there are some sections that can be tediously slow as the run mechanic is taken away from you.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game is largely criticized, with reviewers noting it as virtually non-existent and contributing to an overall mediocre story experience.
- “The overall story is mediocre, the lack of interaction with objects is shaky at best, and the character development is essentially non-existent.”