Shadows of Doubt has officially transitioned to 1.0 after a successful period in Early Access. This intriguing sandbox murder mystery game offers players a deep experience. Check out our detailed Shadows of Doubt walkthrough for a wealth of valuable information to guide you towards a successful retirement from detective work.
All Social Credit Perks, Ranked in Shadows of Doubt
Social Credit functions as your progress level in the game, earned through solving cases. Each Social Credit level grants a permanent perk, ranging from minor convenience features to significant gameplay enhancements.
Social Credit Level 2 – Apartments
Achieving Level 2 unlocks the ability to purchase apartments. Before this level, you may see apartment ads on job boards at various locations, but purchasing is not an option.
Be cautious, as Level 2 also triggers random NPC muggers who may target you while you navigate the streets.
Social Credit Level 3 – Loitering
Level 3 may seem odd, but it proves quite useful. This perk allows you to loiter in bars and restaurants without the obligation to make a purchase, which is ideal for monitoring suspects or waiting for another crime to occur.
Without this perk, your loitering is limited to about an hour based on some informal testing.
Social Credit Level 4 – Fast Travel to Locations
This perk enables fast travel from your apartment to any previously visited location. While it can be useful in specific situations, I find that fast traveling detracts from the game’s immersive experience.
Social Credit Level 5 – Fast Travel to Apartment
Level 5 allows for fast travel to your apartment from anywhere. Although this can break immersion, it is handy, particularly when used with perks from Levels 6 and 10.
Social Credit Level 6 – Apartment Debuff Removal (Partial)
This level provides relief from various negative effects when visiting your apartment. Based on testing, it appears to remove debuffs unrelated to injuries (e.g., bleeding, broken legs) or hunger/thirst.
Social Credit Level 7 – Echelon Zone Access
Level 7 grants invaluable access to ‘Echelon’ living zones, intended for elite citizens in Shadows of Doubt. Without this perk, it can be challenging to investigate cases linked to these areas, making it particularly rewarding.
Social Credit Level 8 – Crime Scene Access
Although Level 8 offers police access to crime scenes—which is critical for detectives—it’s a tad late in the social credit hierarchy to be genuinely useful. I believe a P.I. License should be obtainable at City Hall to streamline access more effectively.
Social Credit Level 9 – Home Invasion
This level increases the likelihood of citizens permitting entry into their homes, which may aid thieves, though potential murderers will still bar entry.
Social Credit Level 10 – Apartment Debuff Removal (Complete)
At Level 10, visiting your apartment removes all negative effects, including injury-related ones. This effectively eliminates the need for medical attention or food. Additionally, this is the level where you can ‘Retire‘ if the game settings support it, marking the completion of your detective journey.
Social Credit Level 11 – Stalking is Easy
Level 11 makes citizens less likely to react negatively if they perceive you following them, although this perk often feels redundant.
Social Credit Level 12 – Trespassing Grace Period
This final level grants you a grace period when trespassing, delaying alarms triggered by security systems or citizen alerts. However, this perk may not feel particularly rewarding as the final social credit level.
How to Retire
Retirement in Shadows of Doubt acts as a narrative conclusion for your gameplay session, but requires reaching Social Credit Level 10 first. It’s crucial to note that the game length setting affects the maximum attainable Social Credit level, ranging from a minimum of 3 for a ‘Very Short’ game to a maximum of 12 for a ‘Very Long’ game.
To achieve Social Credit Level 10 and ultimately Retire, navigate to the ‘Gameplay’ settings and adjust the ‘Game Length‘ option to at least ‘Long‘.
Next, visit City Hall to collect a Resolution Form, the necessary document for solving murders—an odd twist indeed!
How to Buy an Apartment
As mentioned, you’ll need to reach Social Credit Rank 2 to buy an apartment. Visit any location with a phone and job board, such as diners, restaurants, or City Hall. Check several boards, as not every one of them will have apartment listings. Look for a square card with a house icon.
Interacting with that card will reveal apartment details, location, and the purchase option.
How to Find the Citizens Database in Shadows of Doubt
The Citizens Database is an invaluable tool in Shadows of Doubt, housing fingerprints, birthdates, physical descriptions, and addresses for every resident in your procedurally generated city. Accessing this powerful resource is surprisingly straightforward, even though it may be against the law.
Using this tool can simplify gameplay significantly; during one of my early playthroughs, I identified half the population based on just initials. If the simplicity of this mechanic doesn’t appeal to you, consider only utilizing it once you gather some initial details (ideally a full name or surname).
Fortunately, every Shadows of Doubt city contains a City Hall, consistently laid out the same way.
To find the Citizens Database, head to City Hall and proceed upstairs from the front desk to the back of the room.
Continue up the stairs until you reach the first landing, then take the door on your immediate left.
Once inside this office, locate the room behind the blue door marked with a CCTV camera. This door is generally unlocked; however, if it’s locked, you will need a Codebreaker (more on this later).
When entering this room, avoid turning on the light. While it’s rare for anyone to be present, there is always a camera active. Leaving the light off ensures the camera does not detect you.
The computer in this room houses the Citizen Database. The accessibility of this computer is randomized; if locked, you can acquire a Codebreaker from City Hall. Look for a ‘Locker‘ vending machine within City Hall to purchase one for 75 Crows—often located right outside the Database room.
How to Use the Citizens Database in Shadows of Doubt
Accessing the Citizens Database is simple. Begin by interacting with the computer and logging in (utilizing a Codebreaker if necessary). Select the ‘Gov Database‘ application.
This presents an empty text field and keyboard. You may type directly or utilize the mouse to select keys. Input at least two letters to receive search results, drawing from both forenames and surnames.
Select any entry and click the ‘Print‘ button in the bottom left of the keyboard area. This will generate a paper copy of the entry for reference on your caseboard.
All Murder Case Types in Shadows of Doubt
While solving murders is the core element of Shadows of Doubt, side cases offer just as much enjoyment, if not more. Here, I will outline each murder type for better understanding and identification, as murder types follow specific characteristics that help in investigation.
The Corporate Killers
Corporate Killers are usually easy to identify and solve. They often leave a message on a business card near the victim, typically stating something like ‘DIDN’T HAVE WHAT IT TAKES’. The card generally bears a fingerprint, and the suspect is always affiliated with the same company as the victim.
If the fingerprints are absent, search for notes from the victim about a ‘stalker’, typically including physical descriptions, which assist in narrowing down suspects. Consider utilizing the V-Love Sync Disc for these cases, as it’s immensely helpful.
To quickly find the perpetrator, begin by identifying the victim’s workplace, then infiltrate employee files to compare the card’s fingerprint.
The Red Gums Killers
Red Gums Killers are a unique bunch with a ‘cultish’ fondness for the Kola Corporation, particularly its deceased founder. The crime scenes typically showcase red markings near the victim.
They often leave notes with phrases like ‘FIND ME’ or ‘LET’S PLAY’, often followed by an anagram of their name. These notes usually have fingerprints, so be sure to scrutinize them.
The Dating Service Killers
These creepy figures add a chilling element to the gameplay.
Dating Service Killers tend to leave obsession-fueled messages at the scenes, like hearts drawn in lipstick or proclamations such as ‘VICTIM AND SUSPECT FOREVER’. Start your investigation at the victim’s computer, which typically contains messages from the killer.
The Apartment Snipers
Identifying Apartment Snipers can pose a challenge, as they usually take shots from remote locations. Look for bullet holes to ascertain the caliber and possible origins of the shots, noting the absence of typical evidence such as casings or fingerprints.
Your investigation may focus on finding a Hamilton or Faucon rifle at the suspect’s residence, but sparse evidence can present difficulties.
The Revolutionary Killers
Revolutionary Killers often target individuals much younger or older than themselves, leaving messages alongside toy car objects indicating ‘MAKE WAY FOR THE NEW GENERATION’. These suspects can be elusive, often lacking clear links to their victims.
The Rooftop Snipers
Rooftop Snipers are even more elusive than Apartment Snipers, hitting their targets from nearby rooftops. Look for shorter rooftops and inspect them for evidence, tracking footprints and bullet casings, which could yield fingerprints.
Ask nearby citizens if they witnessed anything suspicious, as they might provide descriptions to help identify the perpetrator.
Kidnapping
Introduced in the 1.0 update of Shadows of Doubt, Kidnapping cases are straightforward as you’re notified of the crime type. These cases come with distinct challenges due to limited evidence. Time is crucial—if you fail to find both victim and perpetrator swiftly, the victim is killed.
You can potentially pay off the perpetrator by leaving a briefcase filled with money, or choose the more traditional route of dispensing justice. These cases add variety and intensity to the gameplay.
All Side Case Types in Shadows of Doubt
Side cases present some of the most enjoyable experiences within Shadows of Doubt, providing an array of case types and the potential for substantial financial rewards, including rare Sync Disks. These cases often veer into ‘illegal’ territory, but the risks are worth it.
Remember that side cases can vary greatly in difficulty; typically, higher payments correlate with more challenging cases.
Outsourced Arrest Cases
In these cases, you must identify and apprehend a specified citizen. The details provided can vary widely, from abundant information to only a first name initial and a note about the target’s affinity for ‘house plants’.
Infidelity Cases
These cases entail proving a spouse’s infidelity, requiring you to document details about their partner. Fun tasks include taking photos of the suspect and, just for fun, throwing food in their face!
Infidelity cases are a real treat, particularly when they present an added challenge!
Humiliation Cases
Humiliation cases require you to throw food at a chosen individual, although sometimes the identity of the target can be a mystery as well. Deciding on the right person certainly adds a layer of complexity!
Tailing Cases
These cases allow you to indulge in your inner noir detective, as you’re tasked with tailing a suspect carrying a briefcase to photograph their meeting.
Finding out who they are meeting with adds to the fun, and completing these cases requires patience, such as utilizing newspapers or umbrellas to obscure your presence during stalking.
Corporate Theft Cases
One of my favorites, Corporate Theft cases require consultations with business owners to gather information on a target. The suspect will possess a brown and red envelope, kept either with them, at home, or workplace.
Digging deep is essential here, with these cases often involving breaking and entering, which can lead to substantial rewards.
All Illegal Businesses in Shadows of Doubt (Benefits, Tips to Find)
Illegal Businesses represent an interesting evolving aspect of Shadows of Doubt, offering unique benefits and services, though pinpointing their locations can be challenging.
How to Find Illegal Businesses
Checking basement areas is one of the most effective ways to locate illegal businesses. These areas can be identified and accessed through buildings’ elevators, looking for ‘B’ levels (like B1).
As you check each door, expect labels like ‘vacant address’ or ‘power room’, but on occasion, you may find one with an unusual name. In one run, I discovered ‘Consult Inc’, home to the Loan Shark business, by exploring the aforementioned basement area.
Some illegal businesses also require passwords for entry (namely the Blackmarket Trader and Weapons Dealer). Locating these passwords often depends on your observational skills, as you’ll find specific graffiti that details them.
For instance, this is what the password for a Blackmarket Trader looks like, while the Weapons Dealer password includes a gun icon for emphasis.
Keep in mind that each time you generate a new city, the illegal businesses’ locations, names, and passwords will change.
All Illegal Business Services
Each illegal business in Shadows of Doubt offers unique services, some of which can be significantly beneficial.
The Blackmarket Trader
The Blackmarket Trader is an essential find in any Shadows of Doubt run, acting as a 24/7 pawn shop. They buy any legal or illegal goods from you, provided you have the entry password. They also offer various tools, weapons, and medications. Their services are particularly useful during cases requiring firearm purchases.
The Weapons Dealer
Another retailer, the Weapons Dealer, provides various firearms and some useful tools. Tracking down illegally obtained weapons for your cases may require visiting these dealers.
The Illegal Sync Clinic
The Illegal Sync Clinic stocks rare sync discs, often difficult to acquire via conventional means. These include items like the Trespasser sync disc. You can also get these installed at the clinic just like you would at any regular clinic.
The Gambling Den
Sadly, the Gambling Den functions like a typical bar; you cannot bet money here as one would expect. Nevertheless, they often host job boards, making them worth checking if other places lack suitable jobs.
The Loan Shark
True to form, Loan Sharks provide loans. They give a flat amount of 2000 Crows, requiring a daily repayment of 250 Crows, alongside a 250 Crow fee. Generally, these aren’t necessary; completing a few quick jobs or robbing couples can yield more than enough income.
Shadows of Doubt Tips
Here are some extra strategies that can help enhance your gameplay experience, focusing on mechanics that may not be clearly explained within the game.
The Detective Notebook
The Detective Notebook is one of your most valuable resources, which I only discovered long into my 70-hour experience. This tool tracks all publicly accessible information, including citizens’ addresses, businesses, and details about individuals you’ve interacted with.
Utilizing this notebook can efficiently guide you to required locations and retains a record of every password found, detailing who it belongs to.
The Counter System
A straightforward tip: acquire a good melee weapon and avoid engaging with this combat system. While Shadows of Doubt excels in magic, its combat mechanics leave much to be desired. To counter, simply ‘Right-click when the red bar intersects the blue one’ during combat.
This only applies when facing opponents using fists; it won’t help when confronted with a saber or a semi-automatic gun. If performed accurately, the counter can block incoming damage, though you won’t be able to retaliate. Therefore, it’s wise to equip yourself with a baseball bat.
How to Sell Items (Pawn Shops)
Pawn Shops serve as perfect venues to offload evidence or valuable items you’ve obtained legally, from diamonds to vintage weaponry.
First, track down a Pawn Shop using your Detective Notebook or by exploring the city. The Blackmarket Trader also operates as a pawn shop but is more advantageous because they are open around the clock.
To sell items, engage with the clerk and select the ‘I want to buy something‘ option. In the menu that appears, choose the ‘Sell‘ tab located on the clipboard’s right side.
Barging Doors Down
Another functional mechanic that surprised me was the ability to perform a barge. Sprint toward a door, pressing right-click just before you hit it to slam it open. This action may require several attempts and could result in minor injuries (typically bruises), so proceed with caution.
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