Murdered: Soul Suspect Review – Dead on Arrival
Game Reviewed: Murdered: Soul Suspect
Date Released: June 3rd, 2014
Developer: Airtight Games
Publisher: Square Enix
Platform: [Reviewed: PlayStation 4], Xbox One ,PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Genre: Action-Adventure, Stealth
Rated: M for Mature
Could you imagine witnessing your own death as an outer body experience? Literally watch your world around you change in the matter of seconds. That’s exactly how it all begins when you take control of Ronan O’Connor, a detective with an with incredible backstory; from a young felon to protecting and serving to watching your own murder take place before your eyes.
As Ronan you’re murdered by the notorious bell killer who has left of trail of blood behind him. Instead of crossing over into the afterlife, detective O’Connor must tie up his loose ends 
before stepping into the light. In the light however, he sees his wife Julia who died not long ago explaining the bridge he must cross; and with the help of a teenage psychic that has the ability to see and communicate with those lost in the world; Ronan seeks to find his killer and his way to Julia once more.
Murdered Soul Suspect does a great job delivering to gamers an intriguing story, but it falls short on gameplay and interactions. Soul Suspect takes place in Salem, a town well known for witch craft back in the early 1800’s. As you make your way through Salem, you immediately begin to notice not only how limited the map is, but the environment as a whole.
Salem is presented as a dark town where everyone when their mind is read focuses on murders and witches, along with other deep thoughts. A town where time seems to wait for everyone as civilians literally stays in the same area throughout the entire duration of story; sort of. In addition with a handful of character models, you find yourself running into the same people everywhere.
As a ghost detective, you’re able to find clues and poltergeist to solve crimes. Also as the dead man walking you have the ability to teleport through passageways, possess and influence humans and possess cats to navigate to unreachable areas. And while it seems so far so good, it quickly feels monotonous and dead on arrival. The game overall has too many inconsistencies.
As you solve clues or reference hints to influence civilians you can earn up to three badges; badges that do absolutely nothing.
On a positive note, Murdered Soul Suspect allows you to wear your badge with pride allowing Ronan to solve the death of others. Whether you’re helping a guy figure out what happened to his friends behind the wheel or a woman that’s bitter of a relationship enough to commit suicide, these brief moments are worth experiencing.
Murdered Soul Suspect is a mixed bag delivering a story well worth partaking in, while cheating the player out of a respective gameplay experience. Almost every aspect evolving Soul Suspect leaves something missing out of the puzzle.
Gameplay: 2.5/5
Visuals: 3.5/5
Controls: 3/5
Audio: 3/5
Replayability: 2/5
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