I think I said it the last time there was an update and I covered it, but Shadows of Doubt has dramatically improved since I played before the early access launch a couple of years ago. It is still heavily focused on procedural generation, it is still really complicated on the backend in places, and will sometimes be quite buggy. However, in one case, now that might be partially intentional. Revealed out of the blue somewhat, the “Modifiers Update” to ColePowered Games’ Shadows of Doubt adds a number of strange and wonderful new ideas to the procedurally generated detective ’em up.

“Scurry into the shadows as a 7-inch rat detective or charm adoring fans as a world-famous private eye in the brand new Modifiers Update for the award-winning detective sim Shadows of Doubt, available today [18th of September] as a free content update on PC, the PlayStation®5 (PS5) system, and Xbox Series X|S,” notes the press release.

“Discover all-new ways to play with nine gameplay modifiers that overhaul Shadows of Doubt‘s crime-solving experience. Prove yourself as the ultimate detective with the new Ironman modifier, immerse yourself in a world inspired by classic cinema with the new Film Noir filter, or evade a deadly snail that’s endlessly pursuing you throughout the game world – and where just one touch is enough to end your investigation.” See! Ok, if you ask taxidermists, then no, a snail isn’t a bug, but shut up, it was trying to be a bit of wordplay.

Honestly? I want to say this is the kick up the backside I need to jump back into Shadows of Doubt (if I wasn’t busier than your dad’s underwear). Adding in mods really made my last experience a little fuller, now that sounds more fun doing that as a “20cm tall rat detective, with all the abilities that entails. Climb up walls and ceilings, and literally be as quiet as a mouse to sneak past people more easily.” If not that, then “Become a world-famous detective just trying to do their job. As you investigate each crime, adoring fans will chase you through the city streets in the hope of getting your autograph.”

Who knows, you might get a weird little Irish fella with a broken accent strapping a suicide bomber’s vest to your assistant – or whatever Watson was – so he can play with you like a toy. Though one of these modifiers that I didn’t initially notice, but nonetheless find hilarious, is “As a short-sighted detective, make sure to keep glasses in your inventory in order to see the world clearly. But beware of getting into fights: a spot of fisticuffs isn’t always the best way to care for a set of glasses.” Inventory management is difficult as it is, never mind this.

With a total of 9 modifiers available to expand the experience of Shadows of Doubt, plus the ok-sized modding scene, I think that, despite its flaws, now is the best time to get into Shadows of Doubt. Be it a rat detective, a hermit detective, or a permadeath, there are enough fun and interesting new ways to play. As the press release notes, Shadows of Doubt is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. What new mode do you plan on playing first? Tell us below!

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