Despite this one limitation, however, Double or Nothing is a much less restrictive game than its predecessor. For one, the game has no time limitations to speak of, whereas before you had only a four-day window in which to complete your investigation of the crime. Additionally, the game's legal interface has been simplified so that you don't have to know much in the way of legal mumbo jumbo to get through a trial. Occasionally, situations will pop up where, during the trial, a piece of evidence may be challenged by the defense because of one rule of admission or another. You'll then have to explain to the judge why the piece of evidence is admissible, based on some sort of legal loophole. Thankfully, as with the game's interview process, you'll have three options to choose from, and the correct option is usually the most logical sounding one. If you do get it wrong, you can always go back from your last save and try again.
What is really best about Double or Nothing is its plot. The storyline is rife with twists and turns, and it even features an underlying theme one could even coin as "ripped from the headlines." Much like in the TV show, not everything in the game is as it seems, and you'll constantly have to keep tabs on all of your witnesses to keep track of who is really telling the truth and who is hiding something. Additionally, when prosecuting your case, you won't just have a cut-and-dried case, as key pieces of your evidence may be thrown out of court because it was collected without a search warrant. The defense may even introduce elements you weren't aware of to attack your proposed motive. At times, the story does seem to get a bit bogged down by its own convolutions, but, ultimately, it's an excellent interpretation of the show's style of storytelling.
Double or Nothing is a far less restrictive game than its predecessor, and, in turn, it's much more fun to play.
In terms of presentation, Law & Order II is practically identical to last year's game in every way. The game uses the same menu system and overall visual layout as before, and the same type of 3D models are used for each character. This is not a bad thing, by any means, as the game does look pretty decent, but a bit more of a visual upgrade would have certainly been welcomed. Jerry Orbach, Elizabeth Röhm, and S. Epatha Merkerson all reprise their roles, and, for the most part, they do a convincing job (although Röhm is more than a bit wooden in her line delivery). The supporting voice talent is of equal capacity, if not superior in some cases, and the game's soundtrack is nicely varied depending on where you are.
Law & Order II is ultimately the same basic game as the first Law & Order title, but the bulk of the gameplay issues found in the first release have been addressed here in the second one. Double or Nothing is legitimately challenging and intriguing, which makes for a more enjoyable experience all around. Make no mistake, the game certainly won't appeal to everyone. Diehard adventure game fans may find Law & Order a bit too single-minded for their tastes, but any fan of Law & Order will find plenty of elements to appreciate about Double or Nothing. If you have even a passing interest in the show, you should at least give Law & Order II: Double or Nothing a look.
- See more CNET content tagged:
- witness,
- Vivendi Universal,
- defense,
- evidence,
- Interactive
Law & Order II: Double or Nothing (PC):
%20PC%20Game%20reviews%20-%20CNET%20Reviews&srcUrl=http://reviews.cnet.com/pc-games/law-order-ii-double/4505-9696_7-30977587-2.html){kind=small}