Methods: The Canada Files
- February 1, 2023
- LockedOn Games
Get on SteamMethods: The Canada Files is a mystery visual novel set three years before the events of Methods. In the last few stages of the Canadian detective competition, Detective Larika Downs is determined to discover the truth at all costs!
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Reviews
- Fantastic storytelling and characters, with a highly engaging plot and unique subplots.
- The art and music are phenomenal, enhancing the overall experience with beautiful designs and cinematic soundtracks.
- Major improvements over the previous game, including more in-depth puzzles and a focus on strong, diverse female characters.
- The user interface, particularly during interrogations, is clunky and can be frustrating to navigate.
- Some gameplay mechanics, like the methods minigames, are not well-received and could use refinement.
- Updates for the game take a long time, which can be frustrating for eager fans.
- story14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The story of *Methods: The Canada Files* is highly praised for its engaging narrative centered around a mysterious Canadian detective competition, featuring well-developed characters and unique subplots. While it can stand alone, players familiar with the original game will appreciate deeper context and references. Overall, the storytelling is considered fantastic, though some users noted that the interface could use improvement.
“Fantastic storytelling and characters!”
“The story tells the events of a mysterious Canadian detective competition, where detective teams compete against each other in solving constructed murder mysteries.”
“The story of [i]Methods: The Canada Files[/i] is awesome.”
“[i]Canada Files[/i] works well enough as a standalone story, but not having played the original game, one would miss references, context, and information, which would probably prevent the full experience.”
“Its central plot of progressing through and investigating the competition is highly engaging, and the subplots are all unique and fascinating (and never-before-seen).”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is a significant improvement over its predecessor, featuring grand and cinematic soundtracks that enhance the emotional impact of key scenes. Players particularly praise tracks like "refutation," "brainmapping," and the emotionally charged "joane introduction" and "traitor." The developer's dual role in writing and composing ensures that the music aligns perfectly with the narrative, contributing to an overall phenomenal audio experience.
“The music is a major upgrade from methods, in my opinion, because it is so much grander and more cinematic.”
“All of the soundtracks are awesome, with some of my favorites being 'Refutation', 'Brainmapping', and [spoiler]Shift Your View[/spoiler] (file 03 spoiler).”
“The music for important and emotional scenes are the best tracks in the game: case in point, [spoiler]Joane Introduction[/spoiler] (file 02 spoiler) and [spoiler]Traitor[/spoiler] (file 03 spoiler).”
“The music for important and emotional scenes are the best tracks in the game: case in point, [spoiler]Joane introduction[/spoiler] (file 02 spoiler) and [spoiler]traitor[/spoiler] (file 03 spoiler).”
“The music is a major upgrade from [i]methods[/i], in my opinion, because it is so much grander and more cinematic.”
“Also, the developer of the game said that, doing the writing and composing for the game, they can really make the music tracks fit each scene, and that definitely comes across.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their clean, minimalist art style, particularly in the visually appealing title cards for chapters. Reviewers note a significant enhancement in graphical flair and animation, contributing to a more immersive experience alongside the more complex puzzles.
“This is a collection of several very good-looking title cards for chapters made in a clean, minimalist art style.”
“More in-depth puzzles, more graphical flair and animation; everything thus far has been a marked improvement.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Methods: The Canada Files* is centered around mystery-solving through deduction mechanics, enhanced by interactive features typical of visual novel games. Players engage in unraveling the narrative while making choices that influence the outcome.
“The gameplay in [i]Methods: The Canada Files[/i] is engaging, combining mystery-solving deduction mechanics with interactive features that keep you invested in the story.”
“I love how the gameplay encourages critical thinking and exploration, making every decision feel impactful.”
“The interactive elements of the game enhance the overall experience, allowing players to immerse themselves fully in the mystery.”
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The mechanics are clunky and often lead to frustrating moments that break immersion.”
“I found the puzzle-solving elements to be overly simplistic, which diminished the challenge.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight that the game's music significantly enhances emotional moments, with standout tracks accompanying key scenes such as Joane's introduction and the traitor reveal, effectively deepening the overall emotional impact.
“The music for important and emotional scenes features the best tracks in the game; for example, the introduction of Joane and the 'Traitor' scene.”
