‘Murdered’ fails to capitalize on its stellar set-up’

You know what gets me more than anything? I’m a vengeful ghost in “Murdered: Soul Suspect,” yet you wouldn’t know it by the less-than-otherworldly abilities I come to inherit throughout seven or so hours of gameplay. I mean, I can only walk through certain walls, only possess certain people and only performs what limited ghostly powers I do have at certain times and in certain ways. If I can’t manifest wherever I please and haunt/possess anyone around me to help me figure out my untimely demise and dish out sweet justice, then what’s the point of even being a bloody ghost?!

The logical part of me knows to allow you complete free roam as a spirit in Square Enix’s “Murdered: Soul Suspect” would come at a cost: either a later release time or restrictions elsewhere to counter this imbalance of power. But the premise behind “Murdered” — which involves us solving our own murder while stuck as a ghost between this world and the next — lies squarely in the ability to lead this adventure, using supernatural powers to aid us along the way. Instead, our see-through detective feels more trapped than the living around him. It’s a brutal and cruel trick to trap our supposedly free-roaming lead in such tiny, restricted confines.

The central idea in “Murdered” is simple enough, though quite ingenious: We’re solving our own murdered at the hands of the Bell Killer, a dangerous and mysterious being slaying victims in a modern-day Salem. Our hero, however, comes equipped as if he were in the 1960. Ronan — a gruff, chain-smoking detective sporting a fedora — finds himself at the wrong end of an altercation early on in the game. (We’re talking just a few minutes, really.) It doesn’t take long for him or us to figure out what’s going on: We’re dead, and the only way we can leave this purgatory state we’re in is to come to terms with our life’s unfinished business. Namely, our murder.

The story, when note interrupted by trivial nonsense or clunky shortcomings, is intriguing and considerably more engaging the gameplay itself. Multiple mini-subplots abound; some are interesting, including one involving Ronan’s dead wife, while others merely add nominal details to the story. The more entertaining one by far, though, revolves around a young medium, Joy, who for her own reasons aids us in our macabre journey in a deathly looking Salem.

Speaking of Salem, who knew there was only one way to get around this historical city? No, seriously, there’s one path from end to end, with some branches that while leading you to some other part of the city will eventually reach a dead end. The entire town feels like a set piece, with rigid borders and limited flexibility. Despite the non-existence of your body, you’re not as free to explore as you may think, simply because the town doesn’t allow you to: Ghostly matter is imprenatrable to us because we’re made of the same material, and most of the town is considered consecrated by the residents, which prevents us from passing through it. Long story short, you’ll see a great deal more of the town than you’ll actually get to interact with.

Which is a shame, because what we do get to see is stunning. Played on the Xbox One, “Murdered” boosts some graphics that will leave you in awe, even if Ronan’s incessant monologues will leave you wincing. When we do get to interact with the game, it mostly comes across smoothly, but there are noticeable framerate issues between main and optional areas, mostly likely caused by major loading.

As for actual gameplay, that’s limited in a sense because there’s little we do other than solve mysteries by finding and analyzing clues. Even then, it doesn’t particularly matter what the gameplay is like, because it doesn’t require much in the way of actual detective work. Most of the scenes involve us running around spotting clues and then stringing together some sort of ghostly analysis, which is followed by you making a guess as to what happened. Don’t worry if you get it wrong, though: Nothing happens, other than the game forcing you to pick another answer. Mostly it’s simple to figure out; other times, when logic seems to fail the game, you can play the elimination game and pick until you’re right. It’ll get you to the same place eventually.

Unless there are enemies in the way. “Murdered” doesn’t have much in that particular sense, but what it does have are some truly terrifying demon creatures just waiting to eat your soul. The first time you run into these creatures will be traumatic, especially when they unleash they nightmare-inducing demonic cry. You can’t really fight them, per se, as your only means of attack is to sneak up behind them and basically perform an exorcism. If you’re discovered before you can pull it off, you’ll need to run and hide in ghostly residue left behind, which sort of works as a cover system. For a while, this is entertaining, but it doesn’t take long before you’re no longer scared and just irritated about how long it can take you to remove them from the area.

Along the way, when you aren’t running from demons or being blocked by this ridiculous town, you can help other spirits such as yourself who find themselves stuck in this plane of reality. From solving who was really driving in a drunken-driving case to helping shed light on why someone died, these cases add a nice touch of variety to an otherwise cramped game.

In the end, “Murdered: Soul Suspect” kicks off with a clever concept, but soon finds itself watered down by its own restrictions. What was meant to be an ingenious lead-your-own-adventure story sadly gives way to one linear path you have no choice but to follow. And while the mystery you’re trying to solve will more than likely keep you interested (if not so much entertained by the game’s conclusion), it’s not enough to salvage this murder-mystery debacle.

Two ghostly stars out of five.

Editor’s note: This version of “Murdered: Soul Suspect” was reviewed on the Xbox One. It also is available for the PS4, PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.

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Ronan, the main character in “Murdered: Soul Suspect,” finds himself in a deadly confrontation early on in this supernatural-inspired game. (Photo credit: Square Enix)