Crime Scene Cleaner Review

Crime Scene Cleaner

Release: August 14, 2024
Publisher: PlayWay S.A.
Developer: President Studio
Genre: Reviews
PEGI: 18
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Crime Scene Cleaner. The title itself is a fascinating juxtaposition. We’re used to crime scenes being meticulously investigated, not cleaned. This concept forms the intriguing core of the game Crime Scene Cleaner, a title that throws players into the often-overlooked aftermath of criminal activity. Instead of solving the mystery, you’re tasked with erasing all traces of it. But is this morbidly curious premise enough to sustain a compelling gameplay experience? Let’s dive into the grimy details.

The Premise: More Than Just Mop and Bucket

Crime Scene Cleaner doesn’t put you in the shoes of a detective or a perpetrator. Instead, you’re the guy (or gal) they call after the chaos. Your job is to make the scene look like nothing ever happened. This involves more than just wiping up bloodstains; you’re dealing with dismembered bodies, scattered evidence, and the general detritus of violent crime. The game leans heavily into this dark and often unsettling theme, creating an atmosphere that’s both intriguing and disturbing.

Gameplay: A Surprisingly Meticulous Affair

The core gameplay loop revolves around methodical cleaning. You’re given a checklist of tasks, each requiring specific tools and techniques. This can involve:

• Blood Removal: Different types of blood require different cleaning agents. You’ll be scrubbing, mopping, and even using specialized UV lights to detect hidden stains.
• Body Disposal: This isn’t as simple as tossing a body bag in the trash. You’ll need to dismember corpses, package them appropriately, and dispose of them discreetly, often involving incinerators or other gruesome methods.
• Evidence Removal: Guns, knives, and other incriminating objects need to be carefully collected and disposed of without leaving any trace.
• Putting Furniture Back In Place: Everything needs to be repaired or replaced to restore the scene to its original state.
• Sanitization: Once everything is cleaned and removed, you’ll need to sanitize the area to eliminate any lingering biological traces.

The game emphasizes attention to detail. Missing a single bloodstain or piece of evidence can lead to a “game over” scenario, as the police might become suspicious. This meticulous approach can be both rewarding and frustrating, depending on your tolerance for detail-oriented gameplay.

Visuals and Sound: Embracing the Grime

Crime Scene Cleaner doesn’t shy away from its macabre subject matter. The visuals are gritty and realistic, depicting the gruesome aftermath of crime with a level of detail that can be unsettling. The environments are often dark and claustrophobic, adding to the game’s unsettling atmosphere.

The sound design complements the visuals effectively. The squishing of blood underfoot, the gurgling of dismembered bodies, and the whirring of cleaning equipment all contribute to the game’s immersive (and disturbing) experience.

Replayability: Cleaning Up for More?

The game’s replayability depends largely on your enjoyment of the core cleaning mechanics. While the initial shock value of the gruesome scenes might wear off, the challenge of achieving a perfect clean and the satisfaction of restoring order to chaos can be compelling for some players. The game might also feature different difficulty levels or additional scenarios to extend its replayability.

Pros:

• Unique and Intriguing Premise: The concept of cleaning up crime scenes is a fresh and original take on the crime genre.
• Meticulous Gameplay: The attention to detail and the need for precision can be rewarding for players who enjoy detail-oriented gameplay.
• Dark and Atmospheric: The game’s visuals and sound design create a genuinely unsettling and immersive experience.
• Satisfying Sense of Order: There’s a strange satisfaction in restoring order to chaos, even in a virtual setting.

Cons:

• Repetitive Gameplay: The core gameplay loop can become repetitive after a while, especially if you’re not invested in the meticulous cleaning process.
• Limited Narrative: While the premise is intriguing, the game doesn’t offer much in terms of narrative or character development.

The Verdict: A Niche Title with a Distinct Flavor

Crime Scene Cleaner is not a game for everyone. Its dark and graphic content, combined with its meticulous gameplay, will appeal to a specific niche of players. If you’re looking for a unique and unsettling gaming experience, and you have a strong stomach for gore, then Crime Scene Cleaner might be worth checking out. However, if you’re easily disturbed or prefer narrative-driven games, you might want to steer clear. It’s a game that revels in its macabre subject matter, offering a glimpse into the often-unseen aftermath of crime. It’s not pretty, it’s not pleasant, but it is undeniably intriguing. Just be prepared to get your digital hands dirty.

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