STATIC: Investigator Training
- April 14, 2015
- Ethereal Darkness Interactive
- 3h median play time
Get on SteamIn "Static: Investigator Training" , you step into the role of Julie Masters, an aspiring paranormal investigator. Explore a haunted mansion, gathering evidence of supernatural events, and uncover an unexpected twist in the mansion's eerie history. This engaging adventure offers a mix of intriguing puzzles and atmospheric horror.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game has a unique concept of ghost hunting using various tools, which is an interesting twist for point-and-click adventures.
- Despite its flaws, some players found the game entertaining and appreciated its low-budget charm and retro FMV style.
- The game introduces players to new music and has a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic point-and-click adventures.
- The game is very short, with a playtime of around 1 to 2 hours, leaving players wanting more content.
- It suffers from poor graphics, awkward controls, and technical issues, making it feel unpolished and amateurish.
- Many players found the story lacking depth and coherence, with cringeworthy dialogue and a general sense of incompleteness.
- story8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it fun and complete, while others feel it lacks depth and atmosphere. Although the narrative includes interesting elements, such as paranormal investigation themes, it is hindered by outdated graphics and poor animations. Overall, while the story has its merits, it may not fully engage players looking for a more immersive experience.
“Still, the story is fun and complete - I would definitely recommend getting it, if not for a full price, then during a sale like this Halloween one.”
“The story was interesting but could have been fleshed out a bit more; the ghost video and audio recording were very good and will prove interesting for those interested in paranormal investigation.”
“As you can see from the screenshots, the graphics are nothing to write home about, but the voice acting is very nice, and the plot is decent.”
“Lack of content, lack of puzzles, lack of story... lack of everything.”
“It is an old game with all the flaws of games of the era - poor animations, the perspective inside rooms keeps changing, so sometimes the character is too short for the surroundings, sometimes too tall. It lacks atmosphere and it is really hard to get involved in the story.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The graphics of this low-budget indie game are generally considered subpar, with low-quality character models and only decent FMV sequences. However, some players appreciate the quirky charm of its rough edges, suggesting that the visuals do not detract significantly from the overall experience, which is bolstered by good voice acting and an engaging story.
“This is a low-budget indie game, so put your expectations for graphics and FMV fidelity in check, but I found its rough edges to be quirky and fun.”
“Nothing special, good story with some spooky moments; character graphics are low quality, but FMV sequences are okay.”
“Nothing special, good story with some spooky moments, character graphics are low quality, FMV sequences are okay.”
“As you can see from the screenshots, the graphics are nothing to write home about, but the voice acting is very nice, and the plot is decent.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the inclusion of real actors, which adds a unique and entertaining element. Players find the blend of humor and spookiness to be both engaging and enjoyable.
“It's just funny and cool having those real actors in video games.”
“And it was both funny and spooky.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is criticized for its inconsistency, with poor animations and fluctuating character perspectives that detract from immersion. While some elements hint at a provocative setting, the overall execution fails to engage players, making it difficult to connect with the story.
“It is an old game with all the flaws of games of the era - poor animations, the perspective inside rooms keeps changing, so sometimes the character is too short for the surroundings, sometimes too tall. It lacks atmosphere and it is really hard to get involved in the story.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers a degree of replayability through its selection of ghost-hunting tools, allowing players to experiment with different combinations for varied investigative experiences. This non-linearity encourages players to revisit the game to explore alternative strategies and outcomes.
“You can choose three ghost-hunting tools out of six or seven, so there is a certain degree of non-linearity and replayability.”
“You get to select some tools to do your investigations with (I chose camera, thermometer (useless), and pendulum), so there may be some replay value if you want to try solving it with the other tools.”
“You can choose three ghost-hunting tools out of six or seven, so there is even a certain degree of non-linearity and replayability.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has been reported to be somewhat unstable, with multiple users experiencing crashes, particularly during FMV sequences. Despite these bugs, some players feel the low price point makes it a worthwhile experience for fans of older PC games.
“A bit buggy; the game crashed for me several times during FMV sequences.”
“This is one of those games that is for people who liked the 13th Hour and other old PC games like that. It is not a long game, and yes, it is buggy, but I paid $1.99 for it. It is worth it if you like the old games.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been criticized for falling short of expectations, with reviewers noting that the developers' attempts to enhance the presentation through music were unsuccessful.
“Even though the developers tried to create an engaging musical experience, they ultimately failed to deliver.”
“The music in this game feels repetitive and uninspired, lacking the creativity needed to enhance the overall experience.”
“Despite attempts to incorporate a diverse soundtrack, the music often feels out of place and detracts from the gameplay.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers feel that the gameplay is lacking in depth and variety, suggesting that other games offer a more engaging experience.
“This game has more gameplay than this.”
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks depth.”
“I found the controls to be unresponsive and frustrating.”
