Vice Undercover is a detective game that asks players to dig through files, listen to conversations, and make small decisions that ripple outward. The PC and Mac release puts players in the shoes of a private investigator chasing a conspiracy across a city full of characters who keep secrets from each other. It is a slow-burning game, built around patience rather than action, and that approach will not appeal to everyone.
Trailer, via IGN.
The Case Files
The core loop of Vice Undercover is simple: players receive a case file, follow leads, and report back. Each file contains documents, phone calls, and emails that need to be read carefully. The game rewards attention, and players who skip details often miss the clues that open new paths.
Here is what a typical session looks like:
- Read through case files, looking for names, dates, and references to other people
- Follow leads to talk to witnesses and suspects
- Document findings in a notebook kept by the player character
- Make choices about who to trust and who to investigate further
The notebook system is the game’s most distinctive feature. Players can jot down notes, sketches, and ideas as they work, and the game encourages them to return to earlier pages to spot connections that were not obvious at first. It is a clever way to keep players engaged between sessions.
Where It Falls Short
Vice Undercover is not a fast game. Long stretches of reading and scrolling can feel repetitive, especially when a case file repeats information players have already absorbed. Some players may find the pacing frustrating, and the game does not offer much variety beyond its core loop.
The game also relies heavily on text. Dialogue is delivered through written transcripts, which can break immersion for players used to hearing voices in their games. The city itself is detailed, but it is mostly there to provide context for the investigation rather than somewhere to explore freely.
“Every decision counts.”
That line sums up the game’s philosophy. Nothing in Vice Undercover is wasted, but nothing feels urgent either.
What Works
The writing is sharp. Characters speak in clipped, professional tones, and the dialogue carries tension even when the action stays off-screen. The game’s central mystery is genuinely compelling, and the reveal at the end lands well because the clues have been laid out clearly throughout.
The presentation is clean and professional. Documents look like real files, and the game’s interface makes it easy to flip between notes, emails, and maps without ever feeling clunky. The music is low-key and atmospheric, staying out of the way of the investigation.
Vice Undercover is best enjoyed in short bursts. Sitting through a full case file in one sitting can test the patience of even committed players. Those who can pace themselves, returning to the game for ten minutes at a time, will get the most out of it.
The Verdict
Vice Undercover is a solid, if limited, entry in the detective genre. It respects the intelligence of its players and rewards careful play, but its narrow focus will not appeal to everyone. For fans of slow, cerebral games, it offers a rewarding experience. For players looking for action or spectacle, it will likely disappoint.
The game’s strengths are its writing, its notebook system, and its central mystery. Its weaknesses are its repetitive pacing and its reliance on text over audio. Taken together, these elements create a game that is worth playing but not essential.
Vice Undercover scores 7 of 10.
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