Still Life 2 was a long time coming – four years to be exact!It was 2005 when we were first introduced to FBI agent Victoria (Vic) McPherson and after being available for digital download, Iceberg Interactive have now released it on hard copy .If you are unfamiliar with the original Still Life, the killer escaped unrevealed and the credits rolled. This led to Vic resigning her post in order to pursue the killer and avenge the indignity suffered by her Grandfather. Don’t worry if you haven’t played the original as Still Life 2 does address its predecessor in a series of flashbacks and memories while moving forward with the story of a new serial murderer known as Maine’s “East Coast Killer.” We rejoin the game as Vic has returned to her role within the FBI three years later.
Paloma in one of many underground rooms
Firstly I would like to warn any sensitive gamers about the content of Still Life 2. It is recommended for persons of 15 years and above and has a warning stressing that it contains strong bloody violence and language. This is not without reason. There are quite a lot of brutal murders that are depicted graphically as well as some in-game scenarios that can be quite sadistic. However, I didn’t find any of it to be gratuitous and handled extremely well by the game developers. Obviously if you’re chasing a mass murderer as an investigator you’re going to have to deal with these sorts of situations. There is a liberal scattering of foul language too but, again, nothing less than you would expect from a hardened FBI agent.
For some reason I always find it surprising and funny hearing an animated character cursing. I don’t know why I just do.
During the game you get to play as two strong female characters .Vic, the tom boyish FBI agent and Paloma Hernandez the more glamorous news reporter. Paloma has been openly critical on the news of Vic’s lack of progress in solving this string of copycat grisly kidnappings and murders of beautiful young women . We get our first introductory playing opportunity with Vic – still tortured by her inability to solve the crimes Vic is mulling over some photos and clippings in her room and talking on the phone to Claire, the forensic expert coroner in the main Chicago FBI office. The TV news is on and so is Paloma giving Vic more grief. Paloma then phones Vic asking for information and it is during this phone call that the killer attacks Paloma and Vic hears the attack.
inventory allowance is limited
From then on gameplay is alternated between the two characters. For the most part Paloma’s is fighting for survival while Vic is using her investigative skills. The majority of the game will take place at the killer’s house and while you may think this could result in a small gaming environment, you couldn’t be further from the truth! as well as a two storey house there is also a basement, further underground rooms, front yard, back yard, as well as a nuclear bunker containing further rooms to investigate. There are also Vic’s flashbacks which opens another area.
take samples and analyze at crime scene
Activity in the front yard
Tools. During investigative mode as Vic you have a number of aids at your disposal – A smart phone, her inventory and a CSI analysis kit.The smart phone is used to store files and documents, communicate with Claire (and receive messages from the killer towards the end) and a list of your objectives. These objectives are triggered when you gather certain bits of evidence and to be honest they were quite broad in their descriptions and didn’t aid you if you were stuck but were useful if you had been away from the game for a while and needed reminders of what still had to be achieved. The inventory was refreshing. There is a limited allowance as what you can carry about at any one time . this is broken into a grid of 16 “cases” so if you wanted to take a nail file this would equate to 1 case whereas larger items such as a mattress equates to 16 cases. Therefore if you needed say a mattress or ladder you need to dispose of some or all of your other items. This is achieved by storage containers throughout the environment where you can leave and collect items. The CSIA is basically a forensics lab in a case containing a 3D scanner, a digital microscope, revealer spray, fingerprint powder, sampling swabs, tongs, a usb computer key to help you crack encrypted files, and an “electric nose.” The kit also comes equipped with a computer to analyze the bits of evidence on location. We also have access to a metal detector for a short period of the game. Paloma, on the other hand, only has a smart phone and 16 case inventory.
Movement of the characters is achieved by clicking an arrow cursor in the direction required, clicking twice to make them run. An eye icon indicates something worth looking at and when the eye turns blue it signifies evidence for analysis. when something can be used or activated a wrench icon appears, speech bubble is talk and hand is take.
Both timed sequences and dying makes a comeback in Still Life 2. Not the favourite features of many adventure gamers however, the time limits are more than generous to complete the puzzle and there are plenty of first aid boxes in the house should you need to replenish your health. Just make sure you save your game frequently so you don’t need to reload from an old save.
The graphics are not one of the games stronger points which is a shame as the game could have been stellar had these been of a higher standard and a number of bugs addressed. The background artwork while good was let down by the stiffness and slow movements of the characters. The first evidence of what can be considered sub standard was really in the introductory first chapter when Vic was typing on a laptop. There was an instance of what the techies refer to as “clipping” where Vic’s knuckles appear halfway through the screen. Several times I had to reload due to my character either getting stuck or the screen freezing. The audio however, was excellent (with the exception of the electro-pop music which
thankfully there was an option to turn off) in particular the voice-overs. Vic’s soft rasping voice , Paloma’s coached for TV voice etc are all executed perfectly. Even the sound effects, especially the strange noises around the house were good.
Vics smartphone containing documents, pictures, voice recordings etc
Closing Comments
Still Life 2 is a busy game – there is always something going on. There is a huge amount of evidence to collect and plenty of inventory and time based puzzles to solve. The plot is engaging with lots of surprises and because of this and the sheer volume of gameplay it is easy to overlook some of the graphics flaws. The puzzles aren’t excessively hard in fact probably the most frustrating element was making sure that all items of evidence had been collected so as to allow the game to move on. I had to go over the house several times searching for that elusive bit of evidence. The menus and in-game UI are not so much innovative but organized and easy to use.
Marks out of 10
Storyline 9– excellent plot and gripping storyline
Graphics 6 – disappointing with a little more effort could’ve made Still Life 2 and exceptional game
Sound 8 – once the electropop was silenced the voice acting and background noises were of a high standard
Gameplay 8 – I loved the tools and inventory system and hated having to reload after dying
Replayability 8 – I would go back and replay again
