Common Sense Media Review
By Chris Morris
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Intriguing puzzle-based whodunit with mild violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
James Noir's Hollywood Crimes
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
As a contestant on the 1960s television game show \"The Incredible Puzzle Masters,\" you compete to solve a series of brainteasers to win a \"trip around the world\". After filming each episode, though, you are asked to assist police as they explore a series of murders to previous winners of the show. At each crime scene is a series of puzzle clues you'll be asked to figure out.
Is It Any Good?
JAMES NOIR'S HOLLYWOOD CRIMES isn't a great game, per se, but it's one that has that magical quality of wanting to play just one more round. The puzzles are intriguing and the game show motif it uses (along with lots of audio and Max Headroom-like animations) is oddly captivating. The story itself isn't especially interesting, though -- and even with the threats you'll face, there's not a real sense of urgency to the game. The juxtaposition of leisurely puzzle-solving and catching a serial killer is an awkward concept that never quite gels.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the best way to solve a particular puzzle. What is it about puzzle games that you like?
Families can also discuss how jealousy can drive people to do bad things.
Game Details
- Platform : Nintendo 3DS
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : UbiSoft
- Release date : November 1, 2011
- Genre : Puzzle
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : June 19, 2019
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