The Silver Case Reviews
A nuanced masterpiece.
Sociological questions about mental illness and crime, unethical romantic relationships, and mysterious world building all combine into a game that demands you to think in ways many others do not.
The Silver Case's uncanny brand of Erotic Grotesque Nonsense absolutely isn't for everyone, but those willing to penetrate its deliberately obtuse shell will find a deeply thoughtful mystery.
The Silver Case HD Remaster might seem visually dated and it has that unapologetic approach to puzzle solving that only retro games can provide, but the characters and story connecting them truly stands the test of time. I was completely drawn into the mystery and world of the game that it became difficult to take breaks or attend to daily activities. The Silver Case HD Remaster will join the catalog of other great Suda51 games that I have come to respect over the years, this westerner is happy to have the opportunity to finally play it.
Suda 51 and his creativity brought to life incredible story and characters in psychedelic detective novel. Yet it will be appreciated only by those, who can look past archaic mechanics and certain „weirdness” in games.
Review in Polish | Read full review
A weird, often impenetrable experience, The Silver Case is ultimately rewarding
Were one to be completely honest, the gameplay found in The Silver Case would garner it a middling score.
Goichi Suda's love letter to Noir is so striking and vivid that it's a game I'll not soon forget. By turns shocking, darkly humorous, confounding, and always creative, this was Suda-san's first game as an independent game developer, and through it we see so much of what would become Suda's trademarks; that same transgressive attitude, the same love for classical film and literature genres, and that same intensity in his storytelling (that will ultimately get overlooked by most critics).
The Silver Case is a rare breed of game that is a breath of fresh air in today's gaming landscape. The gameplay elements are somewhat rigid, but fans of gritty crime dramas or Suda51's distinct style will find a lot to like here.
The Silver Case takes a little time to find its footing, but it finishes more strongly than it begins, and is a real treat for genre fans.
The Silver Case greatest strength lies in keeping the player constantly interested and confused. Many moments of the story will seem absurd, leaving the player wanting to know more. Once the player continues to dwell into the game, mysteries change, new information is discovered and even more absurd things happen, restarting the feeling of complete confusion and interest once again. If you are searching for a highly complex and interesting story, The Silver Case is a great recommendation.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The Suda-sensory Mother Lode The Silver Case, more than any virtual art piece I’ve experienced this year, is a product of its time. It is a reflection and speculation on the technological potential and cultural paranoia that partially defines the digital revolution and, more specifically, global internet culture from the late 90’s to the present day.
Engaging, surreal, and unlike any other game in its genre, The Silver Case is a testament to the fact that Suda51 has been challenging the status quo from the very beginning.
The Silver Case is pure Goichi Suda, riveting and moody in idiosyncratic ways, but also frequently confounding
It's somehow hard to recommend The Silver Case to a younger audience, not accustomed with an "old" game: the interface and controls are quite clunky, and the graphics are stylish but not good. However, fans of the visual novel genere will find a lot to love here.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The Silver Case tells a fascinating murder mystery tale in a way only Suda 51 himself could. If you like visual novels give it a shot, but if you want good gameplay look elsewhere.
I had been looking forward to playing The Silver Case from the moment NIS America announced they'd be bringing the remaster to the PlayStation 4, and I was certainly not disappointed. The game has aged greatly and is certainly an interesting release. The controls are not ideal but get the job done, so if you're up for the challenge, you should definitely take The Silver case for a spin. The extra chapters help to give players some new information that expands on the main game's story and are a very welcomed addition.
Although redesigned for a modern audience, much of The Silver Case is left behind in the past. The avant-garde storytelling and newly added chapters are the only things to properly stand the test of time.
After being released exclusively for PlayStation in the Japanese market in 1999, Goichi Suda's visual novel crosses over to the West. In its PS4 edition, it is also enriched with two new chapters. A mature and interesting script and an excellent soundtrack are the strong suit of this otherwise slow paced game, with a weird and clumsy control interface.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The Silver Case is a difficult game to review: the first work of Suda51 still has an intriguing gameplay, but there's no denying that time took its toll. Anyway, if you love Suda51, and you love graphic novels, it's really a no-brainer.
Review in Italian | Read full review