Gumshoe Online

* High-class nightclubs

* Gangster hideouts

* Sewers

* City parks

* Banks

* Docks

* Bookshops

* Back alleys

* Apartment blocks

* Houses

Examining objects

A key element of Gumshoe Online's gameplay is examining objects and discovering clues. With approximately 800 items to examine in ever case, Gumshoe Online offers levels of interaction unheard of in almost any RPG or adventure game.

With so many objects to examine, detectives must sift through the contents of every room, studying every clue and judging their significance to the case. To complicate this task, objects are often hidden or even locked away.

Interview suspects

The inhabitants of Wheaton City are a great source of information, and anyone hoping to become a top gumshoe must learn the art of interrogating suspects.

They key to becoming a top interrogator is learning what questions to ask, when to ask to ask them and when to stay quiet. To emulate this Gumshoe Online's conversation system gives detectives almost complete freedom when questioning suspects.

To question a character the player selects an available topic then watches as the conversation between the investigator and suspect unfolds. A conversation might provide a detective with useful information or make other topics available. An experienced gumshoe will learn to ask questions that lead to the correct subject and look for subtle hints in the text of the conversation.

As a conversation continues and new topics become available, previous topics may become unavailable to the player. A detective should therefore concentrate on asking questions that lead to the information they require.

Unfortunately the inhabitants of Wheaton City can't be made to answer a player's questions and as more questions are asked the suspects will become more annoyed until they refuses to do talk to the detective.

Solving puzzles

An added challenge to private detectives in Wheaton City is the puzzles and brain teasers that must be solved before a case can be closed.

Every Gumshoe Online mystery has a selection of unique puzzles including:

* Mathematical puzzles

* Logic puzzles

* Word puzzles

Mathematical puzzles

Gumshoe Online contains a number of puzzles where pieces need to be rearranged or positioned according to a mathematical formula. An example of a mathematical puzzle is a fuse box where wires need to be placed in the correct order to complete the electrical circuit.

While some players may find these puzzles a little tricky there are always plenty of experienced adventure gamers willing to help on the Gumshoe Online user forum.

Logic puzzles

The majority of puzzles in Wheaton City are logic based, and the most common logic puzzle is picking a lock. Being able to pick a lock is an essential skill for any private detective.

To unlock a door, players must align all the tumblers inside the lock within a strict time limit.

Word puzzles

During a case it's not unusual to find coded messages that need to be decrypted. While every code can be broken through a combination of determination and logic, a key can normally be found that makes decrypting the message easier. A detective might also be called on to solve anagrams and cunning crossword puzzles.

Finding clues and making deductions

A player will discover clues as they visit locations, examine objects, solve puzzles and interrogate suspects. To keep track of all this information clues are automatically added to the detective's notepad.

As well as finding clues a detective needs to understand their importance and be able to distinguish vital clues from red herrings.

Case outcome

The final part of any investigation is building a watertight case against the guilty suspects. The detective's findings must explain the mystery; say who's responsible for the crime and highlight clues that back up this theory.