New York Mysteries 1: Secrets of the Mafia

New York Mysteries: Secrets of the Mafia
by 5-BN Games - April, 2014

Series links:  New York Mysteries 1: Secrets of the Mafia, New York Mysteries 2: High Voltage

Available at:
Alawar as Collector's Edition /
Big Fish as Collector's Edition / Standard Edition
GameHouse as Platinum Edition / Standard Edition
iWin as Collector's Edition / Standard Edition



New York, 1955. It's become dangerous in the city. The mafia is trying to seize power. But recently, a new force appeared. A far more terrible force. Over the last few days, five mafia bosses have disappeared in mysterious circumstances. A strange liquid and a butterfly were found at the scenes of the disappearances. But this isn't what scared the citizens... Children started to disappear in the city. All of them drew exactly the same butterflies before they disappeared. This forced detectives and journalists alike to start their investigations.

The Collector’s Edition includes:

• A bonus chapter in the underground city
  
• An integrated strategy guide
  
• Collections, morphing objects, trophies, and bonus puzzles
  
• Wallpapers, concept art, soundtracks and much more
  

For the Standard Edition

• Walkthrough
  
• Strategy Guide (Big Fish)
  

Click images to enlarge
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Welcome To “The Family”! ****

BASED ON DEMO

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Nice roller coaster ride to the main menu page, but a little basic I thought. Still, the game has momentum. It is, finally, a story that is quite different from the norm. Not a relative in sight. The mafia, while known to many as “the family”, aren’t ours. *wink* Disappearing mafia bosses might not, admittedly, bring out much sympathy, but there are kids involved too. And, strangely, butterflies!

SIGHTS & SOUNDS
The graphics are good. Clear, well drawn, fairly realistic. Detailed and mostly well lit. Although this game does have some very dark locations. The acting is realistic too, with good voiceovers and almost spot on lip synch. The music is original and good, although it got a bit repetitious. The background sounds and special effects are competent, but nothing exceptional.

WHAT’S HAPPENING?
It is 1955. Mafia bosses and small children are disappearing. Odd combination, but true. The bosses are leaving behind icky green liquid and a butterfly and the children are leaving behind a drawing of the exact same butterfly. You become involved as an accomplished investigative journalist, called in by the curator of the last crime scene, the Museum of Natural History.

I am sorry to say that what follows is a direct lift off another very successful game, but I won’t name it, because, for many, it may go unnoticed. Still, we are in this investigation by whatever means, and we must track down the source of this strange evil that is terrorising the city.

GAMEPLAY
A good balance of HOPs and puzzles/mini-games, held together well in an adventure format. The adventuring is assisted by a map that is customisable (the game has 3 preset levels of difficulty, plus customisation). You can choose to indicate on the map – or not – active areas, collectibles and morphing objects. It is also a teleport device. Hint is directional. Black bar comments are a little too helpful at times, but you can control them too.

The HOPs are progressive silhouettes, and there are only 2 so far as I have got in the demo. I have not finished it in the hour I played. The mini-games are a bit tricky. One I felt was not properly explained at all (even in the Strategy Guide – which is top left, btw, took me ages to find it!), a couple were very time-consuming and one was just too hard for me. There are no fancy gadgets, cute companions or nifty special abilities. You are expected to solve this one using your wits. *smile*

CE BLING!
Lots of collectibles! Morphing objects (36), suitcases (9), statues of liberty (9), ties (9), casino chips (9). Achievements (20) that seem mostly performance.

There are mini-games to replay (26), but also new puzzles unlocked by getting each category of collectible. For instance, you might need all of the ties to access the first puzzle of 5.

The usual gallery items – 9 wallpapers (good ones, not just screenshots), 19 saveable concept art drawings in black and white, 10 cut scenes, 6 music. Bonus chapter and Strategy Guide.

COMBINED IMPACT
I liked this game. I enjoyed the different story, the puzzles (mostly) and the adventure gameplay. But it is not a world beater. A good solid game with a lot of collectibles as incentive to buy the CE. I’m on the fence about that, but I will certainly be buying this game.

I recommend this game!