Taken for a Quickie |The Silver Case

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It’s quickie time, chums! The latest subject of video game lust is none other than ​The Silver Case, a PS4 remaster of Grasshopper Manufacture’s first game, which originally released for the PS1 way back in 1999. How does it fair in these modern times? Trousers down and let's find out.

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by
Rob
Holt

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​@acousticmagic

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Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture
Publisher: NIS America
Platforms: PS4, PC​
Players: 1

Never heard of it. What’s it all about?
 
The Silver Case is a text-based, point-and-click visual novel from Suda 51, the man who’d go on to produce No More Heroes, Lollipop Chainsaw and more. You play as agent whatever-name-you-give-him/her, tasked with solving a series of bizarre murders in 90s Japan.
 
Suda 51? There’s loads of bonkers action and gore then, right?
 
Yes and no. There is some gore - you’ll often find yourself falling over or bumping into the wounded, dead, or just plain weird - but it certainly isn’t action-packed. The game moves at a slow, methodical pace, with everything shrouded in darkness or partly lit by murky city lights.

​How’s the overall presentation?
 
In a word: retro, and not hipster-new-release-vinyl-record retro, either. It's had a new coat of paint, but this is still proper, dated 90s fare with hilariously cheesy music (sounding less compressed this time around!), picture-in-picture video screens, blocky visuals and retina-fatiguing neon colours. On paper, it sounds truly awful, but we can’t help but find the aesthetic melting pot strangely charming.

The Silver Case is very zeitgeist indeed...

So not much has changed then? Any cause for concern?
 
Honestly, anyone who picks up The Silver Case will probably be well aware of what’s in store for them; only someone who doesn’t have the good taste to read up on something before they buy it (and that isn't you, clearly) might leave disappointed. With that said, The Silver Case is very zeitgeist indeed, which will put some off - especially modern gamers with no interest in visiting the past.

​Does it come recommended despite that?
 
Anyone with a love of visual novels and/or point-and-click adventures should definitely give The Silver Case a whirl, as there’s plenty to enjoy in the setting, story and all-round quirkiness. Everyone else, however, should approach with some caution; this game is as niche as they come, and although that in itself can often seem appealing, we recommend watching a let’s play (at least check out the brief trailer above, lazy) or waiting for a price drop before you part ways with your coins.

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The Silver Case is available now on PS4 & PC.