Cate West and the Vanishing Files (Wii, Nintendo DS)

CATE WEST: THE VANISHING FILES is a mystery game in which players assume the role of a psychic investigator. The game first appeared on Nintendo DS and PC and now is available on the Nintendo Wii with essentially the same story, play, and comic book graphics. With a simple point and click-and-drag gameplay mechanic you solve a series of mysteries from crime scene to criminal trial, while the plot is revealed in dialogue scenes that occur between gameplay missions.

Players begin each chapter by going to the cluttered crime scene and finding "clues," or hidden objects. Then, you'll identify differences - often very subtle - between two images side-by-side; one is a photo of a criminal's hideout, the other, Cate's mental vision of the location. Once suspects are narrowed down, you'll use Cate's deductive powers to pick out the criminal from a lineup.

Cate West is a mostly engrossing experience. Finding the stubborn object hidden in a messy room, an ever-so-slight variation between two images, or picking out the suspect given limited info can be lots of fun. The ominous music and dark environments supply an eeire tone, as well. And there is no shortage of gameplay, with 15 "chapters" that take you through a case from crime scene to trial verdict.

Some players, however, may not see this game through to the final mission. Each chapter follows the same five-stage sequence that can get a bit too repetitive. Though there are dozens of backgrounds to keep the locations fresh, clicking around on a static page might not be enough to engage gamers seeking more action and movement.