Shadows of Doubt - Beginner’s Guide; How to Start the Case and More

In Shadows of Doubt, players step into the shoes of a private investigator and are tasked with solving various cases, including murder mysteries. The game world is procedurally generated, ensuring that each playthrough is a unique experience. The fully simulated town provides players with the opportunity to explore every corner of the map. However, the beginnings may be difficult. Because of that we have prepared this beginner’s guide.

• Basic tips and tricks
• Cases
• Security

Basic tips and tricks

1. Finish tutorial – the game offers the tutorial (The Dead of Night), which will show you how to solve your first case. Use this occasion to learn mechanics, without it Shadows of Doubt will be very difficult to understand.
2. People have their own lives – it means that they will not always be in one place. It may be useful and problematic. If you are looking for someone and this person is not at home, go to his/her job (or wait). But it also works in other way round. You may wait for someone to leave the house to search it.
3. Attack if you are tired of waiting – if you want to search a house and there are people there, you may want to save and charge into it, knocking down inhabitants. It is not very elegant, but you may look quickly for interesting places and clues. With this knowledge you may load the game, sneak into the house and go precisely, where you want to go.
4. Discs – you can upgrade your detective by installing special discs at the clinic (just go to bed). You can also upgrade those. You should start with inventory capacity, as it is extremally useful.
5. Apartment – it is you hub, you can clean yourself here, sleep and leave items. We write more about it here.

Cases

1. Jobs – if you play in sandbox mode, you may be lost without the job. Go to the nearest bar or restaurant and search for the public phone. There is a notice board next to it, which offers some works. Do them and wait for a murder case.
2. Handcuffs – they are one of the most important tools. You can immobilize the suspect this way. Handcuffed person is more easily persuaded to talk with you. What is more, you can get their fingerprints (don’t use the scanner) – just concentrate your sight on the suspect’s hands and proper command will appear.
3. City directory – during cases you will find many names. City directories are your best bet to find people connected to them. Just look for person’s name in them and you will learn their address. You will be able to turn on “GPS” there.
4. Not all leads are good – during your investigations you will find many leads, some of them may be simply dead ends. If you are stuck, try to check the case from a different angle.
5. There are many ways to learn the truth – sometimes different clues will take you to different places. However, at the end, those routes will let you catch the culprit. Some may do it sooner, some later – but the ending will be eventually the same.
6. Briefcase – sometimes you will have to use this object in your investigation. You have to open it and your case should update. More about it can be read here.
7. Entering crime scenes – in the cases of murder, there are enforces who guard the body. Many players wonder if they can enter such places. Yes, you have to enter them to look for clues. However, you must be sure that the enforcer does not see you – for example use a vent. Eventually distract them.

Security

1. Security – you will encounter many cameras, alarms and turrets in the game. There are few ways to disable them. You can temper with them directly, however, they are often too high. There are also fuse boxes. If you break into them, you may turn off the security, too. You can do it also in some computers. There is also a possibility to sabotage alarm switches. Thanks to it, citizens will not be able to turn them on.
2. Fine – illegal actions will inflict fine upon you. However, you will have to pay it only if they catch you. Steal everything or collect evidence, and run away as quickly as possible.
3. Lockpicks – it is another essential gadget. You can find them (hairpins and paper clips) or buy them in the city hall.
4. Guns – you can’t shoot but you can use guns as a blunt weapon. Read more about it here.
5. Death – you don’t have to be afraid of it. In the case of serious wounds your character will be transported to the hospital.
6. Hospital – you can pay your medical bills or run away. If you have money, it is a good thing to pay, because you will get some buffs and your wounds will be healed. If not, just run away – you have to go through the main doors. If you are at the higher floors try to find the vent. If you are on the ground floor, just sprint to the exit – it will probably work.

Read also:

1. No Investigation is the Same in This Detective Game
2. Is Shadows of Doubt in Xbox Game Pass? Quick Answer