Shadows of Doubt's ambitious detective simulation plunges players into a procedurally-generated cyber-noir world, blending immersive sim mechanics with investigative gameplay. Developed by ColePowered Games and published by Fireshine Games, this indie title offers a sandbox experience where every citizen, crime, and location is dynamically generated, ensuring no two playthroughs are ever the same.
Set in an alternate, hyper-industrialized 1980s, Shadows of Doubt presents a fully simulated city dripping in cyberpunk aesthetics, where neon signs flicker over rain-soaked streets, and every NPC leads a fully simulated life. You step into the shoes of a private detective, free to explore the world at your own pace, solving murders, gathering intel, and even breaking a few laws if necessary.
The game’s voxel art style might seem blocky at first, but it lends itself well to the intricate simulation. Every apartment, office, and alleyway is explorable, and the city breathes with its own routines, making for an incredibly immersive setting. The noir-inspired atmosphere, complete with a moody soundtrack and environmental storytelling, enhances the game’s detective fantasy.
At its core, Shadows of Doubt is about detective work using real investigative skills. The game doesn’t hold your hand, instead requiring players to think critically, track down leads, and make their own deductions.
The game offers a range of investigative tools, including:
Unlike many detective games that rely on scripted sequences, Shadows of Doubt embraces emergent gameplay. You might find yourself snooping through an office for clues, only to be caught by the owner, leading to an impromptu chase. Or perhaps you tail a suspect for hours, watching them go about their daily routine, waiting for them to slip up. The choices are endless, and the game rewards creative problem-solving.
One of the game’s standout features is the corkboard, where players pin pieces of evidence, suspects, and locations, drawing connections manually. It’s an engaging system that feels reminiscent of Return of the Obra Dinn, requiring players to piece together information organically rather than following a predefined path.
How you approach investigations is entirely up to you. You can:
This open-ended approach allows for endless replayability, as each case can be tackled in multiple ways.
Each procedurally-generated city feels unique, with hundreds of citizens leading daily lives. They go to work, eat at diners, chat with friends, and—sometimes—commit crimes. The level of detail is astonishing, making every investigation feel like a real mystery.
No two cases are alike. While traditional detective games rely on scripted narratives, Shadows of Doubt’s procedural cases create unexpected moments of discovery, failure, and triumph. Whether it’s an absurdly funny mishap (getting trapped in a ventilation shaft) or a brilliant stroke of detective work (linking a discarded receipt to a suspect’s whereabouts), the game constantly surprises.
The game offers true detective work. Instead of clicking on highlighted objects, you must connect the dots yourself. There’s a real sense of satisfaction when you crack a case using deduction rather than game-assisted hints.
You can customize your playstyle, upgrade your detective with cybernetic implants, buy apartments and offices, and even furnish your own home. These RPG-like elements add depth to the experience.
As ambitious as it is, Shadows of Doubt is riddled with errors and overlooked features. NPCs sometimes act erratically, pathfinding can break, and stealth mechanics feel inconsistent. The game’s complexity means that occasional AI hiccups or immersion-breaking glitches are inevitable.
While procedural generation ensures infinite cases, some cases start to feel repetitive after prolonged play. NPC dialogue can be formulaic, and after dozens of cases, patterns emerge that make solving them more predictable.
The PC version runs fairly well, but the console version (especially PlayStation) struggles with clunky UI and navigation. Managing the case board with a controller is far less intuitive than using a mouse.
Despite the incredible simulation game mechanics, NPCs can feel robotic. Dialogue is often generic, and interactions lack depth compared to games like Disco Elysium or L.A. Noire.
Shadows of Doubt is an incredible detective simulator that delivers on its immersive noir fantasy better than almost any game before it. It rewards intelligence, curiosity, and creativity, making players feel like real detectives. While its bugs and procedural limitations hold it back from being a masterpiece, it’s still an unforgettable experience for those who love investigative games.
Who Should Play It? Fans of detective simulation games like Return of the Obra Dinn, Disco Elysium, or L.A. Noire. Players who enjoy open world immersive sims and emergent storytelling. Gamers who love uncovering mysteries without handholding.
Who Might Struggle? Those who dislike procedurally-generated narratives. Players who prefer a bug-free, polished experience. Anyone who finds complex detective work overwhelming.
Despite its flaws and technical rough edges, Shadows of Doubt is a game that pushes the boundaries of detective simulation. If you can look past the occasional jank, you'll find an immersive, rewarding experience that truly makes Shadows of Doubt stand out.
For fans of investigative games, this is a must-play—just be prepared for a few bumps along the way.
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