Nine Noir Lives is the first game published and published by the South African studio Silvernode Games. This retro point'n click adventure game takes us through the twists and turns of a dark thriller on par with the greatest noir novels. If you like the character of Sherlock Holmes, cats and their world, imagine yourself in the shoes of an investigator who has the particularity of being a cat! If the idea appeals to you and makes you meow with curiosity, get ready to puzzle out many mysteries and dive into this captivating experience! Initially released in early access on PC on September 7, 2022, the cats are invading us and taking our consoles by storm since the title is finally playable on XBox One and XBox Series since April 14, 2024.
The claws of truth
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In the game Nine Noir Lives, we slip into the shoes of Cuddles Nutterbutter, a private detective cat, passionate and relentless, ready to put all his claws at the service of his work. At his side, his faithful and bubbly assistant, Tabby Marshmallow, gives him unwavering support. The plot unfolds in the heart of Meow Meow Furrington, a town teeming with felines where enigmas and dark secrets coexist. Here, the twinks are not only animals, they also take on the roles of police officers, traders, artists, gangsters and many others, composing a gallery of characters as fascinating as they are eclectic to discover.
But, even in the kingdom of the ball of wool, life is not always peaceful despite the naps and soft purrs. The city is the scene of a ruthless conflict between two powerful and rival mafia families, the Montameeuws and the Catulets. It is in this tense atmosphere, and after spending months dealing with small matters, that our detective Cuddles is finally entrusted with a capital mission. A phone call from the police commissioner instructs him to resolve the murder of the son of the Montameeuws clan, discreetly so as not to exacerbate the already heated hostilities between the two rival gangs who dominate the city.
Enticing gameplay
To elucidate this mysterious murder, our detective cat benefits from a significant advantage since he can rely on his natural instinct, and in particular his sense of taste, because yes he can lick objects and individuals to obtain clues! A short but effective tutorial is also offered to us at the start of the game. The gameplay is based on point'n click mechanics. By pressing button B on the controller, you unlock various features: examine (magnifying glass icon), interact (paw icon) and lick (snout and tongue icon).
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Our cat is equipped with a briefcase which serves as an inventory to keep the elements and clues collected during his investigations. A simple press of the X button opens this storage space. Objects can be combined with each other or used with scenery or characters by activating the B and A keys. The A key is versatile, serving both to handle an object (once the B key has been used), and to move the objects. characters.
Our feline detective is also equipped with a quest notebook which completes our investigator arsenal. This records the clues discovered, the protagonists encountered and the evolution of the case. It is an ideal tool for summarizing all the information. It can be accessed at any time using the Y key, so it is always within reach. And, to top it all off, the on-screen cursor is represented by a little white mouse, adding a note of humor that fits perfectly with the theme of the game!
During the interrogation phases, a notepad appears, displaying a list of potential questions. It is up to us to discern which ones seem most relevant to us. Depending on the testimonies collected, valuable clues or essential data can be revealed. Careful selection of questions and careful interpretation of responses are crucial to the progress of the investigation. Sometimes a variety of approaches are needed to unearth additional information.
A great feature of the game is the ability to switch between characters, providing the opportunity to play as both Cuddles, and Tabby at the same time. This dynamic truly enriches the story. Indeed, this intrepid and synergistic duo alternates the respective points of view of its members and their skills throughout the investigation, conferring a
additional dimension to the adventure.
And, for those who encounter obstacles during the game, it is possible to adjust the difficulty level in the settings. By opting for story mode rather than normal mode, we get more clues to help us see more clearly.
A shimmering artistic direction!
The adventure begins and the discovery of Meow Meow Furrington has some nice surprises in store for us. The graphics are very colorful, cartoon-like, with a 2D representation, and each scene is a feast for the eyes. The decorations are particularly well cared for, reflecting the feline essence: scattered balls of wool, cozy sofas inviting long naps, cat sculptures that decorate the aisles… All these nods to four-legged companions are the welcome and reinforce immersion in their world.
The metropolis of cats is also that of mystery and illegality, where an unparalleled atmosphere reigns. As we progress, the map unfolds, revealing a mosaic of intriguing places, ranging from dark and sinister alleys to bad neighborhoods, including the roofs of buildings. Among the points of interest, we discover the police station, an unusual bar, the famous Knitty Kitty Club (the mafia hideout of the Montameeuw family), a theater with a funny name, as well as a luxurious spa reserved for its members, and many other places to visit.
- At Meow Meow Furrington the cats go to the spa!
We appreciate a soundtrack tinged with a musical atmosphere with very jazzy accents, captivating melodies and rich harmonies, which amplifies the emotional experience of the title and immerses us deeply in the enigmatic and captivating framework of the detective story.
A tasty feline black comedy
In this world, we come across a multitude of characters, all colorful, each with a distinct role and a unique personality. Some are hilarious, or even grumpy or carefree. They bring a good dose of humor, whether through their looks, their anecdotes or their puns that make us smile and entertain us. Subtle references and other little winks add spice to the whole, for example the discovery of a giant mouse, called Mousezilla, the subject of a wanted notice at the police station!
Among these characters is Tabby, Cuddles' bold, quick-witted and outspoken assistant. She puts all of herself into helping her boss, risking her life. Then, we meet Edna, who is the receptionist at the police station, known for her acerbic character and always in a bad mood. A beautiful range of personalities (more than twenty-five in all!) skilfully well written with present humor, but without ever falling into the grotesque. The quality of the voice dubbing is worth highlighting, each cat having a voice recorded by actors who perfectly embody their roles. And, to complete it all, the dialogues are displayed in text bubbles, like a comic strip.
Despite its colorful graphics, make no mistake, the game is not childish. The bright colors and funny cats contrast sharply with the unfolding dramas, exploring serious, adult themes like crime and illegal business. The puzzles are well thought out, with some being a little more complex than others. Indeed, a missed interaction or an element not found can hinder the progress of the case, in-depth reflection is therefore required to progress.
But enough to straighten the mustache!
Our experience is, however, tarnished by numerous technical problems, such as problems with images which frequently freeze, particularly during cutscenes. Worse still, the game leaves the session unexpectedly, repeatedly. We experienced this glitch during a dig sequence, sending us back to the home screen and losing our progress, which is frustrating. This is why it is strongly recommended to carry out regular manual backups, in order to preserve your progress.
Finally, it is regrettable that the game does not offer a French version. Only English (American or British) and German are available, thus excluding French-speaking players from this original adventure. We can nevertheless hope that future updates will quickly correct these problems and that a French subtitle option will soon be integrated, to make the title accessible to a wider audience.
It took us around fifteen hours of play to unravel all the intrigues of Meow Meow Furrington and identify the culprit.
Tested on Xbox Series