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Recommended
0.0 hrs last two weeks / 1.6 hrs on record
Posted: May 8, 2022 @ 7:40pm
Updated: Dec 15, 2024 @ 8:15am
Product received for free

BEAST CRIMES: A Furry Detective’s Dream or Nightmare?

Game Title: Beast Crimes
Developer & Publisher: LINK
Release Date: January 8, 2022
Platforms: PC (Windows)
Genre: Adventure, Visual Novel, Interactive Fiction




Introduction

Greetings, pawed investigators and digital detectives! I, Kiba Snowpaw, an alpha ice wolf hailing from the frozen tundra of HowlStrom, have braved the frosty winds of eternity to bring you this deep-dive into Beast Crimes. Imagine Neo Tokyo shrouded in neon haze, Ancient Egypt glittering under a blood-red sun, and a gritty modern-day world swirling in conspiracies. Add anthropomorphic characters, a cocktail of puzzles, moral dilemmas, and crime-solving, and you’ve got this indie adventure that claws its way into the mystery genre with paws of ambition. Is it a howling success, or does it slip on the ice of its own aspirations? Let’s sniff out the truth.




Basic Plot Summary

Beast Crimes serves a smorgasbord of cases across time. From the cyberpunk streets of Neo Tokyo to the dusty crypts of Ancient Egypt and the familiar alleyways of the 21st century, players must solve gruesome crimes through puzzle-solving, interrogation, and moral choices. Each setting boasts its own unique flair:
  • Neo Tokyo Cases: Futuristic tech, reapers determining lives, and clues connecting like data in a cyberweb.
  • Ancient Egypt Cases: Mysticism meets logic with dowsing rods and panoramic investigations.
  • Modern Cases: Gritty and grounded, these are tales of intrigue and betrayal with good ol’ detective work.




Originality

The game boldly mixes genres, intertwining visual novel mechanics with puzzle-solving and time management. While it draws comparisons to the likes of Ace Attorney and Danganronpa, Beast Crimes carves a unique niche with its anthropomorphic cast and timeline-hopping narratives. The thematic inclusion of furries isn’t just cosmetic; it adds layers to the world-building, creating relatable stories of identity, culture, and societal clashes.




The Studio

Developed by an indie team (details sparse but passionate), Beast Crimes reflects the dedication typical of small-scale developers. Their commitment is evident in the game’s striking art and constant updates. However, some glaring issues—like grammatical errors and occasional bugs—hint at the limitations of their resources. These developers seem eager to engage with the community, offering DLCs and patches regularly.




Analysis and Evaluation

Character Development
Main Characters:
From a stoic wolf detective in Neo Tokyo to a morally gray priestess in Ancient Egypt, each protagonist is distinct. Their struggles, strengths, and flaws shine in the narrative, though some feel underdeveloped due to limited screen time.

Supporting Characters:
Side characters like Sasha, a snarky yet endearing kangaroo, and Asahi, a fox grappling with morality, bring depth to the world. However, a few feel one-note and lack narrative weight.

Character Arcs and Relatability:
Character arcs are hit-or-miss. While the protagonists often evolve through their cases, some side characters seem static, their roles reduced to plot devices.

Structure:
The episodic format suits the game well, but pacing issues (particularly in the Ancient Egypt DLC) detract from the experience. Stories often feel rushed, sacrificing complexity for brevity.




Mechanics

The game boasts an intriguing mix of mechanics:
  • Clue Tree: A web of interconnected clues provides a visual and satisfying way to piece together cases.
  • Time Management: Dividing the day into morning, afternoon, evening, and night adds strategy but sometimes feels restrictive.
  • Interrogations and Cross-Examinations: These segments are the heart of the gameplay, though the lack of clarity in some choices can frustrate.
  • Escape Rooms: A neat addition, but the puzzles vary wildly in quality, with some feeling obtuse.


Implementation:
Despite creative ideas, the mechanics often stumble. Tutorials are minimal, leaving players to flounder. The moral choice system, while ambitious, feels shallow—decisions rarely affect outcomes meaningfully.




Impact

Beast Crimes strikes a chord with its target audience: fans of visual novels, puzzle games, and furry culture. Its inclusive representation of LGBTQIA+ characters adds much-needed diversity, earning praise from many corners of the fandom.




Hook and Thesis

Does Beast Crimes deliver on its promise of thrilling crime-solving across timelines? Yes, but not without stumbling. It’s a tale of ambition exceeding its grasp—like an arctic wolf leaping for prey on thin ice.




Praise and Critique

Highlights:
  • Unique art style with striking red-and-black visuals.
  • An ambitious mix of mechanics and genres.
  • Inclusive and diverse characters.
  • Intriguing cases with emotional stakes.

Drawbacks:
  • Poor grammar and translation issues.
  • Rushed pacing, especially in the DLC.
  • Unpolished mechanics with inconsistent puzzle quality.
  • Bugs and crashes mar the experience.




Personal Opinion

As an ice wolf who’s prowled through countless games, I found Beast Crimes to be a flawed yet fascinating gem. Its ambition is commendable, but its execution falters. Still, I appreciated its boldness, even if it sometimes felt like biting into a chunk of ice instead of a hearty meal.




Comparison

Beast Crimes shares DNA with Ace Attorney and Zero Escape, but it lacks their polish. Its furry aesthetic and inclusive themes set it apart, but it falls short in narrative depth and mechanical refinement.




Conclusion

Beast Crimes isn’t perfect, but it’s a unique entry in the visual novel genre. If you’re a furry, love murder mysteries, or enjoy indie passion projects, give it a try. Just be prepared to weather some rough patches along the way.

Final Score: 6.5/10

Originally posted by Kiba Snowpaw:
While Beast Crimes may not be a masterpiece, it’s an earnest attempt at blending furry charm with mystery-solving. A chilly but worthy adventure!
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