Jake Hunter Detective Story: Memories of the Past review

Apparently smoking is cool again?

GamesRadar+ Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Cool noir tone

  • +

    Plenty of cases to crack

  • +

    Manga-ish mode adds fun silliness

Cons

  • -

    Menu-trudging investigations are a bit dull

  • -

    Feels a bit dry overall

  • -

    Encourages smoking

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Private eye Jake Hunter is remarkable not for his skills of deduction but for the fact he hasn%26rsquo;t spontaneously combusted in a cloud of tar and nicotine. So desperate is this game to highlight Hunter%26rsquo;s gumshoe credentials, he%26rsquo;s lighting up cigarettes every other minute. You even tap a shoulder button to enter a special smoking mode to help our sleuthing hero think better.

Imminent lung cancer aside, this is a collection of six noir-ish detective mysteries %26ndash; some new, some previously released with a rather dodgy translation (now much improved). The menu-trudging investigations are a bit dull but there%26rsquo;s certainly plenty to keep you busy. An Unleashed mode lightens the mood by breaking out a manga-ish Jake for shorter, sillier cases. This is a well-stocked game and a big improvement over Jake%26rsquo;s previous outing, but it still feels a bit dry.

Sep 17, 2009

More info

GenreAdventure
DescriptionImminent lung cancer aside, this is a collection of six noir-ish detective mysteries – some new, some previously released with a rather dodgy translation (now much improved). This is a well-stocked game and a big improvement over Jake’s previous outing, but it still feels a bit dry.
Platform"DS"
US censor rating"Teen"
UK censor rating""
Release date1 January 1970 (US), 1 January 1970 (UK)
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