Shadows of Doubt is a deep and immersive detective game, but it’s easy to miss some of its more subtle mechanics and hidden features. While the game does a great job of guiding you through the basics, there are a number of lesser-known tricks and tips that can make your investigation more efficient and rewarding.
From using the search bar to track down suspects, to finding ways to incapacitate criminals with a door, there’s a lot more at your disposal than meets the eye. This guide will walk you through some of the game’s more obscure functions, providing you with clever shortcuts, investigative hacks, and unique ways to navigate the city and solve your cases.
Whether you’re a seasoned investigator or a newcomer, these tips will help you uncover hidden details and bring you closer to cracking your next big case.
How to Use the Search Bar
- The search bar requires at least 2 letters to return results. A single letter won’t work.
- It’s not alphabetical! Results show any name that contains the letters you search for.
- For example, searching for “Ed” will return people like Jared, Ahmed, and Frederick (since their names contain “ed”).
- If there are too many results to fit on one page, scroll down to see more.
- If a page is blank, scroll up to ensure you’re on the first page of results.
Knock Out Your Suspect Through the Door
- Knock on a door to lure the NPC to the other side.
- Sprint and kick down the door to hit them (if they’re standing in the right spot), which can knock them out instantly.
Use Surveillance Footage to Your Advantage
- If you have surveillance photos of the likely criminal, print them out and open the “Connections” tab in the photo. You can pin the Unknown Citizen in the frame and ask neighbors if they’ve seen them.
The Government Database Is Overpowered
- The Government Database in City Hall has the profile of every NPC in the game.
- If you have a person’s name, you can instantly get all their info.
- If you only have initials, you can brute-force the system. For example, if you’re looking for “W.E.,” search “WA,” then “WB,” and so on until you find the right person.
- The database is not alphabetical, and you need to scroll through results. Make sure to scroll up if you get a blank page.
Read More: 10 Things You Should Know Before Playing Shadows of Doubt
Only Have a Phone Number? Call Them
- Go to a residential building, find the phone number, and call it.
- You can then check the call logs in a room (usually in the basement) to trace the call’s origin.
- Follow the logs to track down where the call came from and keep going until you get your lead.
Rename Items in Your Case File
- Double-click on an item in your case file to rename it. This is helpful for organizing codes, notes, and other important details.
Customize Your Threads
- If your case file is too cluttered, right-click on threads to hide them or change their color.
- For organization, consider using different colors for different types of information: red for general connections, blue for player-made connections, green for work-related info, etc.
Newspapers Are Super Helpful When You’re Lost
- Newspapers automatically update every day and can provide useful details about recent crimes.
- If the killer left something written on the wall and you can’t read it, the newspaper will often provide a clear translation.
- Newspapers can also tell you who discovered the body, which can lead you to new leads.
Take Pictures with Your Camera
- If the killer wrote something on the wall, you can use your camera to take a photo. When you pin the photo, the game will create a thread linking it to the murder location.
- This helps when you can’t quite make out the text.
Scan Hands and Feet
- While an NPC is incapacitated, scan their hands for fingerprints.
- You can also scan footsteps to get shoe size using a fingerprint scanner.
Use the Elevator for Protection
- If you’re being chased inside a building, jump into an elevator and close the door to stop your pursuer.
- If the elevator is below you, you can call it and run downstairs. Once it’s near, jump onto it through the ceiling hole. (Be careful not to break your legs!)
Check Out Black Market Shops
- There are black market shops hidden in basements, often requiring a password found in graffiti or by breaking in.
- These shops contain weapon sales records that may help link criminals to murder weapons.
Check Under Every Doormat
- Always check the doormat for keys when trying to enter a building. This is often the first place you can find an entry key, especially in residential areas.
These tips should give you a better advantage while solving cases in Shadows of Doubt. Let me know if you have more tricks to add to this list, and feel free to like and share this guide with others!
