The Shapeshifting Detective

My Playtime: 8.1h (100% achievement, finished the game twice)
My First Playthrough: 4.5h
Grindy Achievement(s): No.
Optional Achievement(s): Yes (19 achievements).
Difficult Achievement(s): No.
Intro
The Shapeshifting Detective is an FMV where you have to investigate a murder. It has two unique mechanics compared to other detective games: shapeshifting ability and randomized killer.
Pros:
- Killer is randomized every playthrough
- Multiple endings
Cons:
- No fast-forward or skip button unless you win the game
Specs
Intel Core i5-9300H 2.40GHz, 8GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
Should you buy this game?
If you enjoy FMV and playing detective, this game is for you.
In-Depth Review
Visuals
Being an FMV game, the game uses a video of a real person as its visuals. The UI was made simplistic and easy to understand, although I found that the game can be dragging when you try to meet someone and they are not there—it'll show a scene where the character is not in their usual spot for a few seconds. The same goes when you switch locations. You'll have to wait a few seconds until you can visit the area that you want. I know that it helps to give a smoother transition, but I wish I could skip them somehow.
Story
Dorotha Shaw was killed in her room. Nobody knows who is the killer. You, the shapeshifting detective, are tasked to investigate this case. Being a stranger to a small town, you'll start by introducing yourself to the resident in the house Dorotha was living in, and any other people that are related to her.
The conversation between the characters can be wild. Sometimes it will focus on the murder, but other times it will be... romance. I just don't get how the main character, who is only investigating the whole place for a few hours, gets so much love interest in the game. Oh, and there are also sex scenes, although you won't see people naked—the most you'll get is boudoir photography.
I am having a hard time distinguishing two female characters. Violet and Bronwyn look too similar to me, with them having similar face shapes and different hairstyles. I know that you can notice the differences after you see them enough times, but I tend to mistake them at the beginning. Aside from that, I enjoyed the characters. I especially like Chief Dupont since he's so hilarious, especially when he tries to explain something to other people.
The scene near the end can be surprising, especially when you have to wait and see whether you catch the right murderer. I was always shocked at that scene since the suspense is killing me and the game makes people show up as if it's a jumpscare in a horror movie, except that it's just another human, and most likely not the killer.
I like how the killer has their own motives, though. The conversations that you can gather from the other people will also reveal a bit of their motives, although the killers themselves will explain the full story if you manage to reach a certain ending. And yes, there are multiple endings that are also affected by the killer in that playthrough.
The Game
Gameplay
Despite having a randomized killer in every playthrough, the game does it smoothly. There are hints that can help you to figure out who the killer is, and even though the conversations you have with other people are mostly the same, there is always a slight difference depending on who the killer is—and it's not obvious unless you remember the whole game script. Moreover, the transition that was done between these different scenes is also done smoothly.
Being a shapeshifting detective means that you can shapeshift into anyone. There are some limitations, but it's mostly enough to get the job done. This can help you to gain new perspectives and new clues, which is the main selling point of the game. However, some conversations can lead people to know that you are a shapeshifter, and that's not a good thing. Luckily, that usually happens when you shapeshift into someone, so people won't notice that you are the detective.
You're free to ask people questions throughout the investigation. These will end up with you having several dialogue choices with other people, and this will give you different information, especially when there are some topics that might be sensitive to be talked about. At the end of the game, you'll be given options that will affect the ending as well.
Length and Replayability
I finished the game in 4.5h. I then played it again and finished my second playthrough in 8.1h. Strangely, my first playthrough wasn't deemed complete by the game, which I assumed because I got a bad ending. This disables the ability to skip dialogues in the game, which is unlocked after you finish the game. Since the killer is randomized every playthrough, it can give you some reason to replay the game, although note that you might get bored since most dialogues are similar.
Conclusion
The Shapeshifting Detective does a unique concept in investigation games. Being able to shapeshift into someone helps you gain a new perspective on the murder and gain more clues. Despite the randomized killer and multiple dialogue choices, most videos flow smoothly. It was a nice game to play if you are a fan of FMV and investigation games.

Steam User 9

Reviewed last year

My Playtime: 8.1h (100% achievement, finished the game twice)
My First Playthrough: 4.5h
Grindy Achievement(s): No.
Optional Achievement(s): Yes (19 achievements).
Difficult Achievement(s): No.
Intro
The Shapeshifting Detective is an FMV where you have to investigate a murder. It has two unique mechanics compared to other detective games: shapeshifting ability and randomized killer.
Pros:
- Killer is randomized every playthrough
- Multiple endings
Cons:
- No fast-forward or skip button unless you win the game
Specs
Intel Core i5-9300H 2.40GHz, 8GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
Should you buy this game?
If you enjoy FMV and playing detective, this game is for you.
In-Depth Review
Visuals
Being an FMV game, the game uses a video of a real person as its visuals. The UI was made simplistic and easy to understand, although I found that the game can be dragging when you try to meet someone and they are not there—it'll show a scene where the character is not in their usual spot for a few seconds. The same goes when you switch locations. You'll have to wait a few seconds until you can visit the area that you want. I know that it helps to give a smoother transition, but I wish I could skip them somehow.
Story
Dorotha Shaw was killed in her room. Nobody knows who is the killer. You, the shapeshifting detective, are tasked to investigate this case. Being a stranger to a small town, you'll start by introducing yourself to the resident in the house Dorotha was living in, and any other people that are related to her.
The conversation between the characters can be wild. Sometimes it will focus on the murder, but other times it will be... romance. I just don't get how the main character, who is only investigating the whole place for a few hours, gets so much love interest in the game. Oh, and there are also sex scenes, although you won't see people naked—the most you'll get is boudoir photography.
I am having a hard time distinguishing two female characters. Violet and Bronwyn look too similar to me, with them having similar face shapes and different hairstyles. I know that you can notice the differences after you see them enough times, but I tend to mistake them at the beginning. Aside from that, I enjoyed the characters. I especially like Chief Dupont since he's so hilarious, especially when he tries to explain something to other people.
The scene near the end can be surprising, especially when you have to wait and see whether you catch the right murderer. I was always shocked at that scene since the suspense is killing me and the game makes people show up as if it's a jumpscare in a horror movie, except that it's just another human, and most likely not the killer.
I like how the killer has their own motives, though. The conversations that you can gather from the other people will also reveal a bit of their motives, although the killers themselves will explain the full story if you manage to reach a certain ending. And yes, there are multiple endings that are also affected by the killer in that playthrough.
The Game
Gameplay
Despite having a randomized killer in every playthrough, the game does it smoothly. There are hints that can help you to figure out who the killer is, and even though the conversations you have with other people are mostly the same, there is always a slight difference depending on who the killer is—and it's not obvious unless you remember the whole game script. Moreover, the transition that was done between these different scenes is also done smoothly.
Being a shapeshifting detective means that you can shapeshift into anyone. There are some limitations, but it's mostly enough to get the job done. This can help you to gain new perspectives and new clues, which is the main selling point of the game. However, some conversations can lead people to know that you are a shapeshifter, and that's not a good thing. Luckily, that usually happens when you shapeshift into someone, so people won't notice that you are the detective.
You're free to ask people questions throughout the investigation. These will end up with you having several dialogue choices with other people, and this will give you different information, especially when there are some topics that might be sensitive to be talked about. At the end of the game, you'll be given options that will affect the ending as well.
Length and Replayability
I finished the game in 4.5h. I then played it again and finished my second playthrough in 8.1h. Strangely, my first playthrough wasn't deemed complete by the game, which I assumed because I got a bad ending. This disables the ability to skip dialogues in the game, which is unlocked after you finish the game. Since the killer is randomized every playthrough, it can give you some reason to replay the game, although note that you might get bored since most dialogues are similar.
Conclusion
The Shapeshifting Detective does a unique concept in investigation games. Being able to shapeshift into someone helps you gain a new perspective on the murder and gain more clues. Despite the randomized killer and multiple dialogue choices, most videos flow smoothly. It was a nice game to play if you are a fan of FMV and investigation games.
Steam User 5

Reviewed last year

its an ok game the story had me hooked from start to finish because it was interesting

i coudnt get the achievement Book 'em Danny to unlock so a gave up :(
Steam User 3

Reviewed last year

Had a lot of fun with this game. The actors had a lot of fun with their characters with some hilarious interactions. Spent a few hours finding Easter eggs!
Steam User 2

Reviewed last year

Pandemic game, but kinda a cool story and without a guide could be a very fun path to navigate. Like many other WI games, the story has a lot of, "wait, what?" moments when a new character is introduced but its acted like hes been there the entire time type of thing.
Steam User 4

Reviewed last year

to be fair, quite good. 8/10 plot was decent, acting a bit cheesy but overall fun play.
Steam User 2

Reviewed last year

3/5

It´s alright.
Nothing close to Late Shift or The Complex but it´s fun.
Great ambient music.
Actors are nice.
Interesting characters.
Story is good.
Fun shapeshifting mechanic.

Have a nice day.
Steam User 2

Reviewed last year

It's a FMV game so if you're here you either like the genre enough or you wanted to give it a try like me. This is a pretty good introduction. The story is interesting enough and I was surprised that the writing wasn't terrible. Obviously it's not Oscar level performances but it does it well enough.

The Shapeshifting Detective

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