Chase: Cold Case Investigations - Distant Memories Reviews
Although its branching narrative system could have more depth, Chase: Cold Case Investigations has an undeniable sense of charm and keeps players' attention through its characters, anime art style and subdued jazz-noir soundtrack. If the series is allowed to continue and introduce a deeper approach to multiple choice and interrogation, then we could see something truly special.
I really enjoyed Chase: Cold Case Investigations ~Distant Memories~ as it brought a short and interesting game to the hands of someone like me who can’t always find the time to sit back and read a 40 hour visual novel. The characters and animations were very well thought out and the ending is definitely something that was unexpected. However, the unexplained back stories were disappointing as it would have made the characters stand out among stereotypical detectives. I hope to be a part of more stories staring detectives Nanase and Amekura in the future because just one case wasn’t enough for me.
Overall, even without the talent involved or a love of their previous work elsewhere, Chase is a muted experience for those willing to support it. What should be a confident return to form feels more like treading water. As a two-hour-long downloadable adventure, it's a solid if unremarkable adventure. Long-time fans will find a warm familiarity in its cast and dialogue, but for anybody else, they might see it as nothing more than a breezy cop show experience.
While it’s great to see the talents behind the “Hotel Dusk” series back in action, “Chase: Cold Case investigations” is a much smaller and less ambitious title than its predecessors. Even though the bargain price point justifies its rather short length, the sequel bait ending and lack of variety in the gameplay leaves much to be desired. However, a visual novel lives and dies by its story and this one’s well worth reading. It just remains to be seen where the series goes from here.
Chase: Cold Case Investigations -Distant Memories has great style and all the reason in the world to be expanded into an excellent, episodic franchise.
Distant Memories shows hints of what worked so well in Hotel Dusk: Room 215, and even if it felt too short, I’m definitely interested to see where this one goes in the future.
Graphically pleasing and with a style that has become a trademark of the author, Chase: Cold Case Investigations fails in terms of story and gameplay, presenting a plot that doesn't involve as it should and offering very little to play.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Thanks to its visual outlook and well-built plot, this is a game that will keep players interested until the end. It displays the limits of a low-budget game, however, and some of its segments feel too linear but this title shouldn't be in trouble to gather a group of fans.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
For Cing fans searching to relive that Hotel Dusk experience, this short adventure maybe a let down.
Chase: Cold Case Investigations ~Distant Memories~ fails to live up to expectations set by its predecessors, despite presenting a great detective story.
Chase is a very brief but also really enjoyable game that is worth picking up.
Chase has a great story, but the lack of presentation and short length mean it’s not a title I can particularly recommend right now.
Though Chase: Cold Case Investigations doesn't last long, it's still a fun game. The game doesn't pad itself out unnecessarily just to lengthen playtime, and knows exactly when to end, as well as having a good enough story to keep players interested the whole time through.
This was a ride that gripped me the further it went on.
Fans of CiNG's previous works - such as the Another Code games and the duo of Hotel Dusk / Last Window - will be impressed by the tale told, as well as the audio and visuals found in Chase: Cold Case Investigations, even if only for the short time it lasts. The low price barrier for this Nintendo 3DS eShop release is high incentive for impulse purchasing, though, yet few outside of text adventure enthusiasts will find true value for money in this one.
It's all up to the developers from here."). This bite-sized visual novel noir is a pleasant surprise, but miserable puzzles and a so-so localization drag down the experience.
Chase: Cold Case Investigations - Distant Memories is a major disappointment.
As a murder mystery, Chase: Cold Case Investigations – Distant Memories succeeds in its plotline with clever twists and a well-written scenarios, but the lack of polish, short length, and $6 price tag make it difficult to recommend to everyone.
Chase: Cold Case Investigations - Distant Memories has nice visuals and sound to compliment a good mystery tale. However, the puzzles are pretty dull and the game is light on content with a short playtime and an ending that did its job - leaving me wanting more - but without knowing if more will ever actually be forthcoming.
While the brilliance of its director's past games occasionally surface in Cold Case Investigations, this thoughtlessly designed and incredibly brief adventure will do nothing but disappoint fans of the defunct developer Cing.