Black Dahlia

This game is a blast! It's very long, but very cool, about 1/2 of it is short film segments, which makes the story way more interesting. There are tons of puzzles, but if you don't want to solve them, just find a cheat sheet, the games is still awesome without solving everything yourself. The lead (Jim) is very good, and cute. ;) I recommend this game to anyone who likes higher-minded fare than shootem-ups.

This is one of the greatest games so few people have played. It's a mystery game that involves Nazi plots, a mysterious gem, and the Torso killings of 1940s Cleveland. It got great reviews and has very good graphics quality. Eight CDs long! Worth it; even if you cheat you still feel like you acomplished a lot by beating it.

This game is more a movie with puzzles in between than an adventure.

The story is superb, it spans almost 10 years and there are locations in the USA and Germany. The plot revolves around a black gem, the Black Dahlia, that has mystical powers, and an ancient brotherhood of knights. Throw in some Nazis and you have a true Indiana Jones type of story. The actors are ok. Darren Eliker delivers a good performance as the main character Jim Pearson, and there are cameos by Dennis Hopper and Teri Garr. The acting is sometimes a bit cheesy, but that gives the movie a real B-movie feel.

The puzzles are moderately difficult and occasionally nearly impossible, so I would recommend playing the game with a walkthrough (but don't use it too quickly!).

The game is fairly long (8 CD-ROMS!), so it will keep you occupied for quite a while. Definitely recommended, especially for the good story and atmosphere!

The first game I ever played, I am in my 50's. I had just gotten a computer and had never played any video games so it was my first experience. I thought the whole thing was great. Everything was new to me, I had nothing in my own experiences to compare it with. I was really into it, then my computer locked up and I would have to start all over again until I got the knack of saving where I was at. The Easter Eggs were fun. When I could no longer move forward I did find a cheater. That made it even more fun. This kind of story is something a person my age can really get into, I had not found any up until I got Black Dahlia that even interested me at all. Are there more games like this, or are there any in the works? I would like to try them.

This game is a unique take on the Black Dahlia case. For those unaware, the nickname "Black Dahlia" was given to Elizabeth Short, a young woman murdered in 1947. To date, the case remains an unsolved mystery.

More interestingly, however, is the fact that the first half of the game features an alternative take on the notorious Torso murders from Cleveland, Ohio in the 1930s.

The player takes on the role of Jim Pearson, an agent working for the COI, a Federal government agency created just before America entered World War II. The remit of the COI (in the game at least) is to investigate Americans who the Federal government suspects may be spies working for the Nazis.

As anyone will expect, a simple plot soon develops rapidly and the player becomes an investigator rather than a mere "Fed" agent. The investigations take the player right into the heart of World War II and witness some alternative (albeit fictional) insights into the events and motivations behind this disturbing chapter in world history.

Gameplay consists mainly of solving puzzles and interacting with other characters in the game. Whilst it is evident that puzzles have been designed carefully to fit neatly and logically into the storyline there are some that seemingly defy logic. It is recommended that those playing the game for the first time have a walkthrough, strategy guide or at least a hint sheet handy just in case they reach a point where further progression seems too difficult. Those familiar with the developer's previous venture, RIPPER, will understand what to expect as far as the gameplay goes.

Most of the game is rendered in Full Motion Video (FMV), with some computer rendered images for background. Video cut scenes are played when the player interacts with another character. Again, those familiar with the developer's previous venture, RIPPER, will know what to expect.

Just as RIPPER did an excellent job of creating a view of the future (2040s), so too BLACK DAHLIA does an equally excellent job in re-creating the 1940s setting. The gameplay begins in 1941 and runs through 1947.

First-rate talent in the form of Dennis Hopper and Teri Garr make the gameplay experience even more enjoyable, despite their characters being not quite as memorable as supporting characters in RIPPER. But it is the superb leading performance by Darren Eliker as the main character, Jim Pearson, that really carries BLACK DAHLIA. Unlike Jake Quinlan in RIPPER, Jim Pearson has a much more overt sense of humour and delivers many great lines with sarcastic wit. As such, his character is easier to connect with.

Special mention should be given to David Whalen, who gives a superb performance as Dick Winslow, a very smarmy FBI agent. He steals every scene he's in and makes those scenes compelling viewing (even for those who do not like the game as a whole).

The game was originally released on 8 CDs and is now long out of print. Fortunately, it can easily be purchased from online auctions and trading websites without paying too much. Hopefully, some company will take advantage of the DVD medium to re-release this game on a single disc.

The game maintains a very good balance of mystery, suspense, tension, action, drama, intrigue and comedy to ensure it obtains a status as a classic of video gaming.

I highly recommend this game to anyone interested in murder mysteries, the developer's previous games, the Indiana Jones franchise or FMV gaming.