Missing: Since January (aka In Memorium)

[J T]

Has anyone played this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Memoriam_(video_game)

I just started it and it is a really interesting concept. Supposedly, the CD-Rom that the game is on is the only piece of evidence left behind by a serial killer suspected to be behind the disappearance of a journalist named Jack Lorski and his girlfriend Karen Gijman. The CD contains footage of the two and messages left behind from the serial killer trying to taunt you and force you through little riddles to learn more about what he did.

You are yourself. A guy with an important CD-rom and a chance to solve a mystery. The game sort of blurs the line between fantasy and reality by having you visit actual websites for clues and sending you e-mails from different characters within the game, including the killer himself.

It's a brilliant idea and probably the best use of FMV I have seen. The whole thing has a very creepy vibe and leaves you feeling like you are in a stand off with Hannibal Lecter himself, trying to unravel the mystery of what happened to these people. I recommend picking it up, especially since the websites might not be around forever.

[fastbilly1]

I remember seeing this when it came out. The concept, while brilliant, scares the crap out of me. Im not one for horror games let alone a psychological thriller

[J T]

I remember seeing this when it came out. The concept, while brilliant, scares the crap out of me. Im not one for horror games let alone a psychological thriller

Yeah, it gets a little freaky. You feel like the killer is messing with your head sometimes. And the video clips are really suspenseful because you don't know what is going to happen to these people or if you can do anything to help them. Plus, getting e-mails sent to your actual e-mail account from game characters just crosses a line through the 4th wall in a way that few games do.

Apparently there is also a sequel called Evidence: the Last Ritual, but I'm trying to avoid info on that at the moment in case there are spoilers.

[J T]

Here is the trailer:

[MrHealthy]

Bumping this up, did you ever finish this JT? Was it fun? Worth 8 bucks? Do you know if the websites you mentioned are still active or would I have to use a walkthrough for those segments?

Found it in a baragain bin at my local Zellers (shitty canadian retailer). Considering going back for it.

[J T]

I didn't finish it. I got a little bored with the amount of reading required and I stopped, though i liked it enough that I do intend to get back to it. The websites were still active when I tried it. I think it's worth it for the uniqueness of the game, but you should know that you are going to read a lot of website stuff that isn't all immediately relevant to the game (which helps create the sense of it being a larger world, but still, kind of dry filler content), this will be mixed up with a smattering of video snippets, which all seemed pretty intriguing and decently acted from what I played, and then there are puzzles that are usually pretty good.

The trouble with the puzzles for me primarily is that they don't sit all that well in the story. You're supposed to be tracking this genius serial killer and he keeps leaving you hints in the form of interactive puzzles that you have to solve to figure out what he has done. I don't know why a genius killer would make his own capture a solveable puzzle, so I found it a little hard to buy into. And when the puzzles were way too easy, it was hard to believe they came from a supposed mastermind.

Nevertheless, if you can suspend disbelief and get into it, it's a cool game with a lot of unique ideas. It is genuinely creepy to get letters in your actual e-mail account from the criminal mastermind, though maybe be careful about e-mail filters at work. haha!

[MrHealthy]

I research various topics on my own a lot and often end up reading a ton of not so relevant information and for the most part still enjoy myself, so that is not a big deal to me. Its a shame about the puzzles, but thats kind of what I expected. Based on what you have said it does sound interesting enough to warrant the purchase. Thanks, I'll post my impressions in this thread once I get started.

[jfe2]

Looks creepy... thanks for the heads up!

P.S. Amazon has it for $10 plus shipping. Maybe I'll throw it in the cart...

[MrHealthy]

Just picked it up, apparently its the Game of the Year edition, which includes a making of disc and 'The 13th Victim' expansion pack. Im also way too excited about this.

[winds]

Wow this game definitely sounds right up my alley. Does anyone know if it works fine on windows 7?