Art of Murder: FBI Confidential
First entry in the Art of Murder adventure series.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Art of Murder: FBI Confidential, known in Polish as *Art of Murder: Sztuka Zbrodni*, is the debut title in the Art of Murder adventure game series. Polish studio City Interactive first released it in 2008, and it later became available on Steam. Players take on the role of a detective investigating a string of murders, using standard investigative methods to solve the cases.
The development team, previously responsible for games such as *Schizm*, *Sentinel: Descendants in Time*, and *Reah*, announced the project on July 5, 2007.
Critical response was mixed, according to the review aggregator Metacritic. IGN praised the game for avoiding illogical puzzles, while Adventure Gamers noted it delivered a detective experience without the tedious realism of *Police Quest* or *CSI*. PC Gamer, however, criticized the plot, writing, and voice acting. Jeuxvideo.com described the game as bland and generic.
Several sequels followed, all created and published by City Interactive: *Art of Murder: Hunt for the Puppeteer* (2009, Windows), *Art of Murder: The Secret Files* (2009, Windows), *Art of Murder: Cards of Destiny* (2010, Windows), *Crime Lab: Body of Evidence* (2010, Nintendo DS), and *Art of Murder: Deadly Secrets* (2011, Windows).
- developer
- City Interactive
- release_year
- 2008
- genre
- Adventure video game
- platform
- Windows (Steam)
- series
- Art of Murder
- announcement_date
- July 5, 2007
Lore & Background
Art of Murder: FBI Confidential was announced on July 5, 2007, by City Interactive, a Polish developer whose team had previously produced titles like Schizm, Sentinel: Descendants in Time, and Reah. The game was released in 2008 and later made available on Steam. It is the first game in the Art of Murder series, which would include several sequels developed and published by City Interactive.
Reader's Guide
Art of Murder: FBI Confidential holds significance as the inaugural title of the Art of Murder series, establishing a franchise that would expand with multiple sequels through 2011. The game received 'mixed' reviews on Metacritic, with critics noting its approach to detective gameplay. IGN appreciated that the game did not require moon logic, while Adventure Gamers felt it offered a detective experience without the painstaking realism of Police Quest or CSI. PC Gamer criticized the plot, writing, and voiceacting, and Jeuxvideo.com found the game to be bland and generic. Its legacy lies in launching a series of adventure games from City Interactive, a developer known for earlier titles such as Schizm, Sentinel: Descendants in Time, and Reah.
Did You Know?
- The game was announced on July 5, 2007.
- It was developed by City Interactive, whose team previously worked on Schizm, Sentinel: Descendants in Time, and Reah.
- The game received 'mixed' reviews according to Metacritic.
- Sequels include Art of Murder: Hunt for the Puppeteer, Art of Murder: The Secret Files, and Art of Murder: Cards of Destiny.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who developed Art of Murder: FBI Confidential and when was it released?
City Interactive, a Polish studio, created the game and shipped it in 2008 for Windows, with a Steam version following later. The project was publicly announced on July 5, 2007.
What genre is Art of Murder: FBI Confidential and what does the player actually do?
It is a point-and-click adventure in which you play a detective working through a series of murders using conventional investigative techniques—gathering evidence, talking to witnesses, and following leads. There are no combat systems or supernatural abilities; the challenge is purely deductive.
Is Art of Murder: FBI Confidential the first game in the Art of Murder series?
Yes, it is the inaugural entry and established the detective-mystery formula that the remaining titles in the franchise expand upon.
What is the story of Art of Murder: FBI Confidential about?
You step into the shoes of a detective assigned to crack a chain of linked homicides, piecing together clues at crime scenes and interrogating suspects to unmask the killer. The narrative stays grounded in a realistic criminal-investigation setting rather than fantasy or sci-fi.
What other titles did the Art of Murder: FBI Confidential team work on before this game?
The same City Interactive developers had previously shipped Schizm, Sentinel: Descendants in Time, and Reah. Critical reception to FBI Confidential was mixed, as reflected on review-aggregation sites.
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