Murdered: Soul Suspect

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,889 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Murdered: Soul Suspect Game Cover
Murdered: Soul Suspect is what you get when you create a point-and-click adventure game through the lens of a modern console game. It’s not perfect, but it’s a mystery worth solving.
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In "Murdered: Soul Suspect," players become Ronan O'Connor, a detective murdered in a grisly ritual killing. Now a ghost, Ronan must use his newfound supernatural abilities to communicate with the living, solve puzzles, and uncover the truth about his own murder. With a unique setting and detective gameplay, Murdered: Soul Suspect offers a thrilling, otherworldly investigation full of suspense and mystery.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,889 reviews
story1,785 positive mentions
stability126 negative mentions
  • Engaging and unique storyline about solving your own murder as a ghost.
  • Interesting characters and well-developed side stories that add depth to the main narrative.
  • Atmospheric graphics and sound design that enhance the eerie setting of Salem.
  • Gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks depth, with many puzzles being too easy.
  • Technical issues and bugs, including crashes and unresponsive controls, detract from the experience.
  • The presence of demons as enemies feels unnecessary and disrupts the flow of the game.
  • story3,928 mentions

    The story of "Murdered: Soul Suspect" is widely praised for its intriguing premise, where players assume the role of a ghost detective trying to solve his own murder in the haunted town of Salem. Many reviewers highlight the engaging narrative, filled with twists and emotional depth, as the game's strongest aspect, despite some criticism regarding its predictability and linearity. While the gameplay mechanics are often described as repetitive and lacking in challenge, the rich storytelling and atmospheric setting keep players invested in the unfolding mystery.

    • “Best detective game ever with a perfect story.”
    • “Murdered: Soul Suspect offers an exciting and unpredictable storyline that makes it difficult to stop playing.”
    • “The story was unique, I did not see the twist coming and loved the side stories, lore, and collectibles.”
    • “The most negative part of this game is the bugs that occasionally appear in the middle of the game and sometimes prevent you from progressing in the story.”
    • “The story itself is unclear and way too paranormal.”
    • “Killer motivations are barely mentioned in a couple of cutscenes (out of hundreds of useless story pieces you get along the way) and I didn’t quite get it.”
  • gameplay1,428 mentions

    The gameplay of "Murdered: Soul Suspect" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitive nature and simplistic mechanics. While the detective work and ghostly abilities offer some unique elements, the stealth mechanics involving demons are often criticized as frustrating and poorly executed. Overall, the game is seen as more of a narrative experience, with the story and atmosphere overshadowing the lackluster gameplay.

    • “The gameplay is a mix of walking simulator, point and click, and a little bit of quick time events.”
    • “The core gameplay revolves around investigation and exploration, with players using Ronan's ghostly abilities to uncover clues and solve puzzles.”
    • “The gameplay is effectively a point-and-click style adventure, without the point-and-click.”
    • “The gameplay is unfortunately quite boring and repetitive.”
    • “The gameplay consists almost entirely of investigating scenes to piece together the central mystery, with some stealth elements wedged in for good measure.”
    • “The core gameplay mechanics consist of incredibly disappointing 'detective work'.”
  • graphics526 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they are decent for a title from 2014, they often feel dated compared to contemporary standards. Some appreciate the atmospheric visuals and character animations, which contribute to the game's eerie aesthetic, while others criticize graphical glitches and a lack of polish in certain areas, particularly during cutscenes. Overall, the visuals are generally considered good enough to enhance the storytelling, but they may not impress players seeking cutting-edge graphics.

    • “The graphics in the game are very good with a nice use of colors and dark scenery that helps build a moody atmosphere, the levels in the game are good; it's kind of an open world game where you explore the town of Salem, while at the same time still being small enough so you're not lost.”
    • “Murdered: Soul Suspect has some impressive visuals, with detailed environments and realistic character models.”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous and detailed, bringing the town of Salem and its residents (living or dead) alive.”
    • “The game's graphics look dated even for a game from 2014.”
    • “The graphics definitely feel outdated and clunky.”
    • “The graphics are mediocre at best, with the textures either badly made or loading up very late.”
  • atmosphere323 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Murdered: Soul Suspect" is widely praised for its dark, eerie, and immersive qualities, effectively blending elements of mystery and supernatural themes. Set in the historically rich town of Salem, the game utilizes strong sound design, haunting visuals, and a compelling narrative to create a captivating experience, although some players note that the gameplay can feel repetitive. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest aspects, making it appealing for those who enjoy story-driven, atmospheric adventures.

    • “The game effectively combines the real world with the world of ghosts, creating a deep and intriguing mystical atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is very well done, being able to see what used to be in an area merge with what is currently there gives a great view into the history of Salem while also giving the game a feeling of the paranormal.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is fantastic, the characters extremely well fleshed out (or spirited, I guess), and the story is amazing.”
    • “The creepy atmosphere was idyllic for a ghost story but misses just falls short...in execution and duration (20 hours as a completionist).”
    • “While the eternal nighttime setting helps to create the right atmosphere for traveling to the local graveyard and mental hospital, you spend a long time wandering around searching for them because there is no map!”
    • “I understand that this game is based on murder and the whole atmosphere is supposed to be dark, but I had to turn my brightness up to the highest setting to see properly.”
  • stability128 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of bugs, glitches, and crashes, particularly in the PC version. While some users find the glitches amusing or manageable, many others describe them as game-breaking, leading to frustrating experiences that hinder gameplay. Overall, the game is deemed too unstable for a full recommendation, especially for those who dislike technical issues.

    • “Additionally, it runs great on older hardware.”
    • “No glitches, no crashes, and no real need for the manual save system, though the lack of it might irritate some players.”
    • “The game is full of bugs, glitches, and crashes.”
    • “I can't recommend the PC version just because of how buggy it is.”
    • “The game is extremely buggy, and the creators have never bothered to patch it.”
  • music118 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and complement the eerie visuals, creating an immersive experience. However, several players find the soundtrack forgettable or repetitive, noting that while it fits the mood, it lacks memorable tracks. Overall, the sound design, including voice acting and ambient effects, is generally well-received, contributing significantly to the game's spooky ambiance.

    • “The spectral visuals of dusk, coupled with the eerie soundtrack, create an immersive and unsettling ambiance that suits the detective genre well.”
    • “The music and ambient sounds successfully bring out the haunting and creepy atmosphere of the story.”
    • “Can't stress enough about the sound design; well-composed music with great sound mixing helps create the unique atmosphere complemented by the stunning visuals.”
    • “Barely any music, no interesting set pieces, poor dialogue, and just a generally empty feeling world.”
    • “In terms of music, the soundtrack is very forgettable.”
    • “The music is sparse, and while usually fitting the mood, it gets boring due to repetition.”
  • replayability106 mentions

    The game has been widely criticized for its lack of replayability, with most reviewers noting that it offers little incentive to play beyond the initial run. Many players mention the short playtime of around 6-8 hours and a linear story that leaves little room for exploration or alternative outcomes, making it a "one and done" experience. While some suggest it may be worth a playthrough for its decent story, the consensus is that it lacks significant replay value, especially for those seeking to collect achievements or explore different gameplay paths.

    • “The game seems to be pretty linear, so I don't think it has a lot of replay value, but the concept is really great and the story is, so far, very interesting and compelling enough to keep me playing and wanting to know what happens next.”
    • “I can see how this game might disappoint others, as there is so much more it could do as a survival horror and as a detective game, but for what it is, I think this is a brilliant game, and there are enough items and secrets to find to give it replay value.”
    • “As far as replay value goes, I doubt I'll be loading it up for another playthrough right away but I can see this becoming the sort of game that I'll fire up several months down the line when I don't fancy playing any of the shiny new games I've splashed out on at the time.”
    • “The game is super short and has no replay value, but it's really cheap on sale and the story is somewhat decent, so I would recommend just giving it a go.”
    • “The game was fun for what it is, but once the plot is known, it won't hold much replay value.”
    • “There is absolutely no replay value.”
  • grinding93 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and frustrating, with many players feeling that the mechanics have not aged well. Stealth sections, collectible hunting, and backtracking contribute to a sense of monotony, making gameplay feel like a chore rather than an engaging experience. While the story has its merits, the overall gameplay is often described as a burdensome grind that detracts from the narrative enjoyment.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A lot of grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It comes off as tedious and pointless.”
    • “Overall, the entire affair can be described as pretty tedious, frustrating, and eventually even boring.”
    • “The gameplay itself can get tedious, but the story is rich and features 7 mini horror stories.”
  • optimization56 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including inconsistent frame rates, stuttering, and bugs, particularly on PC. While some users found ways to improve performance by adjusting settings like V-Sync, others experienced game-breaking bugs and poor porting from consoles. Overall, the optimization appears to be lacking, with many players suggesting that it is not well-suited for high-end gaming setups.

    • “There is a very thoughtful and interesting plot, good graphics, and pretty good optimization!”
    • “Good graphics and performance (turn off v-sync).”
    • “Graphics and sounds are good, performance is very good and I haven't encountered any crashes or bugs.”
    • “However, the game isn't optimized very well and I encountered a game-breaking bug not allowing me to continue.”
    • “The whole options menu is plain lacking, and the game eats up more performance than it should.”
    • “Square Enix did what they do best with PC ports and spent zero time on optimization.”
  • emotional41 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it deeply touching and impactful, particularly through character interactions and plot twists that evoke strong feelings. While certain side quests and character arcs resonate well, others criticize the overall story and character development as lacking depth, which diminishes emotional engagement. Despite these criticisms, many players report experiencing genuine emotional moments, including tears, particularly during key narrative revelations and character farewells.

    • “The killer's anti-witchcraft motive is fairly obvious within a couple of hours, but the plot twists were creative and emotional - especially the big reveal in the last 5-10 minutes.”
    • “I loved the characters, the storyline, dialogue, the side quests helping lost souls to cross over, the plot twist, the emotions (I cried when Iris and Rose left together), stories, thoughts, clues, mystery solving, and great detail into the history and attention to suicide awareness.”
    • “The game begins with a unique and emotional approach where detective Ronan, being killed by a serial killer, finds himself in ghost form but his presence is stuck in a limbo world as he must finish the case to find peace with his beloved wife in the afterlife.”
    • “Boring story”
    • “Play through an unsatisfying and boring story as a ghost detective.”
    • “This game honestly I thought it was going to be better; there wasn't any real climax for it, the demons got annoying hiding from them a lot, and just a boring story I called from the start who the villain really was.”
  • humor36 mentions

    The humor in the game is often derived from quirky character interactions, amusing glitches, and the absurdity of certain scenarios, such as possessing NPCs and encountering funny ghost stories. While some dialogues and character designs may fall flat, the overall comedic tone is enhanced by the dynamic between the main characters and the game's noir elements, making for a lighthearted experience amidst its darker themes. Players appreciate the blend of humor with exploration, even if not every moment hits the mark.

    • “The game presents a little dated with the fedora-toting main character and a few funny glitches, but my overall experience was very good.”
    • “Funny to say: the stories of the dead people are way more interesting than the ones alive.”
    • “The two main characters, Ronan and Joy, have a great odd couple vibe that had me laughing in spots.”
  • character development34 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally viewed as inconsistent, with some players finding it lacking and others noting it as basic but sufficient. While character designs are often praised, many characters are described as flat or unlikable, leading to a weak emotional connection. The narrative relies heavily on collectibles for backstory, which some players appreciate, but others feel it detracts from direct character engagement.

    • “The duo Ronan and Joy feel really like a crime-solving team with their quarrels and wits; the character development is well written, with plot twists here and there.”
    • “The main story itself keeps intriguing you and slowly unfolds from start to end, along with some traumatic scenes and character development.”
    • “Most of the character development for everyone else (and even backstory for Joy and Ronan) happens through collectibles but provides really deep storytelling that is occasionally historically accurate and interesting.”
    • “Character development is somewhat lacking, leaving players with a protagonist who, while intriguing, doesn't elicit a strong emotional connection.”
    • “The game falls flat in gameplay, length, character development, and story.”
    • “There are a series of overarching collectibles including diary pages from Ronan's dead wife (really the only means of character development), handy info blurbs copy-pasted from the Salem tourism committee website, and newspaper clippings reminding you how creepy and invincible the serial killer is.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The game is praised for its straightforward monetization approach, lacking unnecessary extras such as DLCs, multiplayer components, or microtransactions, which is considered a refreshing rarity in today's gaming landscape.

    • “I am really glad that this game doesn't have any unnecessary extras, like DLCs, multiplayer components, or any sort of microtransactions.”
    • “A rock-solid fun game, with no microtransactions, DLCs, or anything else, which has become a rarity nowadays.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

61% average critic score

Buy Murdered: Soul Suspect

Play time

8hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
7hMain story
11hCompletionist
5-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 68 analyzed playthroughs

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