I have never played as a coroner before, so the prospect of being the newly appointed one in the district of Cedervale was too good to pass up. Having presented myself at the police station and undertaken some basic administration that gets you into how the game works, there is a car accident to investigate.

Essentially, you gather evidence by examining the scene and reading related materials, most of which is in the form of words. I gathered about 30 words in completing the first case, including first and last names, locations, medical terms, and body parts, which you use to complete a series of reports which you then submit. As well as using the words, you might have to tick appropriate boxes, type in numbers, and shade diagrams. Fill in all the parts correctly and your report is accepted and things move in. Get something wrong and it will be rejected, and it's try again.

I also had to submit various samples to the pathologist, attend an autopsy, and complete some blood work with the help of my medical tome. A map was also useful as I tried to determine where the accident occurred.

Whilst collecting the various words left a little to be desired (just click on the underlined words in the material you examine), applying them and the rest of the information in order to complete the reports was well constructed. It necessitated going back and forth between the accident scene and the various material, reviewing and applying bits and pieces to reach conclusions. Many things weren't obvious, but could be discerned logically. I thought it was well done.

Click on the sparkles to examine that area or object, and little check marks will indicate that you have discovered all there is to be found. A counter keeps track of your found words (e.g., x/48) and a hint button is available should you need it. The ink stamp on the left is how you submit reports, the pen resets the form, and the cup of tea (it's a very British setting) will tell you what you got wrong after three incorrect reports.

Nothing is voiced, there is a comic book visual aesthetic, and a soundtrack accompanies things. It exclusively autosaves on exit.

The first case took me just over an hour, and I am about to move on.

Thank you for the first look and for giving us some information about how the game works, flotsam - most helpful.

And thank you too, Drac.

Thanks for the information, flotsam! Sounds easier than I was thinking it might be.

Thanks Drac!

Thanks, flotsam! I like that it's in cases which gives a good stopping place if time is limited.

Thank you, Drac!

Ana