Parents' Guide to A Case of Distrust

This adventure game/interactive novel's simple graphics and creative gameplay are a stylish reminder of why indie developers are the future of games. Though set in 1920s San Francisco, A Case of Distrust might as well be set now. In our increasingly regressive political climate, it's extremely timely: Issues pertaining to women's rights and drug and alcohol use inform the narrative while adding a nice realism to the story. The writing is excellent. Slick, believable dialogue keeps things lively and differentiates characters shown only through silhouettes. The game aspect appears in the clue-gathering process: By talking to people, observing locations, and presenting evidence to suspects, you advance the story and come closer to finding the killer. Though not particularly difficult, the process does provide enough challenge to let you feel clever upon uncovering a new clue. A number of twists and turns keep you from guessing the killer's identity too quickly, and a tough choice at the end adds emotional weight to the endeavor. Granted, it's a bit short, at two to three hours, and its story could be too much (or too boring) for kids under 12. Still, its deft handling of racial and gender-related issues has the potential to teach kids something, and gamers who like a good noir-style mystery should be in heaven since it plays like a good noir reads: like a phantasmic joyride in a smoke-filled bumper car.