Sleuth Home - Message Boards - Sleuth : Shades of Mystery

Jan-26-2008 16:43
(sticky post)

We've officially lifted the non-disclosure agreement for testers who have been taking part in the closed Sleuth : Shades of Mystery beta tests. I'm hoping a few of them will post here with some of the impressions so you can all get a picture of where the game is and where it is headed.

I'm sorry it was necessary to ask them to keep their mouths zipped up until now, but I didn't want anybody to get wrong impressions about what the finished game will be like by basing their opinions on an early version.

Also, we will be switching to an open beta test very soon, so everyone who is interested won't have to wait much longer before trying things out.

Jan-27-2008 01:31

Not to worry Greebo, I appreciate the honesty. (and no, I don't know anything about those two FA's that mysteriously appeared on your record).

Underscores a point I tried to make earlier. I fully expect some Sleuth Noir players to prefer Noir. Actually, I expect quite a few of you to. The fact is, you're a Noir player for a reason, and SoM is a pretty different game.

Mysteries take quite a bit longer to play, the optimal solving strategy isn't as rigid, and there isn't as much of an emphasis on deductive reasoning (although it's still a factor). And, of course, the pointing/clicking/searching gameplay is an entirely new facet of the game.

That said, I do think a lot of you will enjoy Shades of Mystery quite a bit. Some will probably switch entirely, and a few will hopefully play both games.

My expectation is that Shades of Mystery will end up becoming the larger game, as it will probably be better at drawing new players in. Who knows? I do know that I'm quite happy with the way it's turned out though.

Jan-27-2008 01:43

I can completely understand Greebo's point of view. The game won't be for everyone.

Having said that I love the game. It's much more lifelike than Sleuth Noir. Many more graphics and even music. I love how there's more than one way to discover certain things. I love how it feels like you are actually searching the crime scene.

As yoyo says it doesnt feel like as much of a routine as Noir does. I love the way skills work on SoM too. I won't say too much because I don't want to spoil things but skills work differently in SoM than in Noir. Even the way you get cases is different.

Two thumbs up from me.

Jan-27-2008 02:37

I agree SOM wont be for everyone. Its a total different game play and maybe will atract more new players, as ben said. But I really hope that the community will still be as friendly as here. That is one of my favorite things about Noir.

Jan-27-2008 05:59

I won't say I'm addicted (yet :P), but I do like SoM. I still prefer Sleuth Noir, most probably because I have a larger comfort zone there. But as I continue to play SoM, I find I am looking forward to coming back for harder cases and working on my methodology. As others have said, the graphics and music really add to the atmosphere of the game, and searching the crime scene (and perhaps other places? :D) is great fun. I also like the way contacts and skills are acquired.

*Hawkeye sticks both of his thumbs up*

Jan-27-2008 11:36

Worst game ever.

Jan-27-2008 15:14

I actually agree with sunny on some points.

It does make your eyes and ears bleed.

Jan-27-2008 15:21

Okay, after hearing all these positive reviews... when will open beta testing begin?? I can't wait!

Jan-27-2008 16:07

Actually Venulia, you were one of several people who were sent beta invitations who never logged into the beta server.

All current subscribers who applied for the beta test using the application form were sent invitations when we started Round 5 of testing (around January 15th). Including you.

So, if you applied, and never got an invitation, please check your spam or junk mail folder around that date. If you are not sure which email address we have on record for you, go to the Detective page and click on the "Email Address" link.

If you still can't find it, I don't think I'll be resending those invitations.

But, fear not! The current plan is to start open beta testing next weekend. That may get pushed back if one of my remaining todo tasks takes longer than anticipated.

Jan-27-2008 16:40

Oh my god. I cannot believe this happened. Serves me right for having like a bazillion email accounts... going to see if it works now.

I'm so excited!

Jan-27-2008 16:46

I was under the impression that beta testers would be notified by Sleuth Mail, not by our actual email addresses (as it says on the Shades of Mystery page). I changed to a new email months ago, and did not switch it here, because I was expecting to receive notifications in-game. This is very, very unfortunate, as I was looking forward to try out SoM after suffering from a long bout of burnout.

I actually believed I hadn't been chosen to participate. Now because of some misinformation I learn that that wasn't the case at all. Very depressing.