As Constable Anton Zellner, you're an endearing, if not overly successful cop with a penchant for mysteries. In Part 1 of The Raven, the only part currently available, you find yourself accidentally at the center of a mystery when you discover that the acclaimed thief The Raven has his sights on a jewel locked up a few train cars behind you. The Inspector in charge of the guard detail isn't really interested in your help, but that's just because he doesn't see your full potential. Surely if you poke around a bit you can find out something really vital for catching the criminal in the act! Your investigation follows typical adventure game formula as you fill your pockets with bric-a-brac in the hopes of solving artificially over-complicated conundrums. It really shouldn't be such a big deal to help the flustered professor who got locked out of his room, but this is an adventure game, people. Steps must be taken. Many steps, back and forth, opening drawers, asking people the same questions over and over, and picking up everything that isn't nailed down.
Repetitious though the formula may be, the writing and voice acting in The Raven are exceptionally good, no matter how minor the character. Zellner in particular puts such nuance into his delivery that you'll understand more about him from his tone of voice than from any background details he lets slip during conversation. He's not only bursting to be involved with a real honest-to-god mystery that could've jumped off the pages of one of his favorite books, but he's also eager to prove to the world – and himself – that he's as good a cop as he believes himself to be. You'll want him to succeed not just because that's the win state for the game, but also because he's a nice guy who deserves a break.
Unfortunately, there's just a bit too much delay between the spark of inspiration and your ability to actually do anything about it. Everything about the movement of The Raven feels sluggish; Zellner moseys at a somnambulant pace, oftentimes spinning around in circles before opening whatever door you've asked him to breach. Even the inventory bar seems reluctant to rise from the bottom of your screen when summoned. It sulkily does its duty, as do the character animations, which often pause, as though in deep thought, before moving on to the next action.
The Raven's ponderous presentation doesn't ruin the gameplay, but it tries awfully hard to put a damper on the excitement of investigation. The thrill of discovering an item's true use is reduced to a low-level hum by the time you actually get to use it.
The Raven: Legacy of a Master Thief has everything you want from this kind of cozy mystery: a high-stakes crime, over-the-top suspects and a plucky everyman sleuth. The story and acting are pitch-perfect and will engage even the fussiest armchair detectives, so long as they can put up with the game's mechanical shortcomings.
This review is based a PC download The Raven: Legacy of a Master Thief, purchased by the reviewer. It is also available on Mac and Linux. Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions are expected later this summer.
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