Interactive investigation. (games).(Post Mortem)

In the recently released computer game Post Mortem from The Adventure Company and Microids, players step back in time to 1920s Paris as they assume the role of American expatriate Gus MacPherson, a retired private detective from New York City with a knack for solving strange and unusual cases. Currently pursuing the life of an artist, MacPherson suddenly finds himself returning to his true art when he is hired to investigate a series of mysterious, brutal killings.

To solve the case, players visit rich, realistic locales and scour 360-degree panoramic scenes for clues. Along the way, they utilize the game's unique conversation engine to interrogate a large cast of intriguing characters essential to the investigation. When interacting with a character, the player is presented with a number of options concerning what he or she would like to ask of or say to the character to obtain information about the murders.

"Everything you say in the game affects the way other characters respond to you and interact with you, and your selections collectively affect the outcome of the game," says Stephane ...