I said I’d take a look at the second episode of the The Detail on the last Moving Pixels Podcast and that’s just what I did.
I had hoped it would get through some growing pains and get better especially since it clearly wants to be more than a mere pulp escapade. The set up is similar to The Wire, in getting a special detail unit together to handle big cases, but certain details are calling to it. Plus, the ending stats where it shows the percentages of players who made certain choices it adds in a fact about the real social issue that choice connects with. It wants to be that game and yet, I don’t think the comparison does the game any favors.
It’s not bad, but by insisting on the comparison it makes me uncomfortable. It’s an odd feeling, but it’s the one I’m left with in trying to explain what The Detail is trying to do. I find myself uncomfortable because I don’t think The Detail can live up to that distinction. Not just that, but its existing in a very different world regarding police. It isn’t nuanced enough to live in that world.
Read my full feelings on the game at PopMatters. I stayed my full judgement for one episode and now the game managed to put it off just a bit more.