Cause of Death was an interactive detective game developed by EA Mobile for iOS devices. Released in 2010, this visual novel-style game put players in the shoes of detectives solving complex murder cases. Unlike many mobile games of its era, Cause of Death targeted a mature audience with its gritty crime storylines and serial killer themes.
The game featured episodic content released weekly, allowing players to unravel mysteries over time. Each episode presented choices that impacted the story’s direction and outcome. Cause of Death gained a dedicated following for its engaging narratives and character development, setting it apart from more casual mobile offerings.
Despite its popularity, Electronic Arts removed Cause of Death from the App Store in September 2014. This decision left many fans disappointed, as the game’s serialized format meant ongoing storylines were left unresolved. Though no longer available for download, Cause of Death remains remembered as an innovative entry in the mobile visual novel genre.
Game Overview
Cause of Death was an interactive fiction game developed by EA Mobile for iOS and macOS devices. Released in 2010, it offered players a unique blend of mystery, crime, and investigation elements.
The game centered around solving criminal cases and tracking down serial killers. Players took on the role of law enforcement officers, making crucial choices that influenced the storyline and outcomes.
Cause of Death featured:
- Single-player gameplay
- Text-based narrative with interactive elements
- Multiple storylines and cases to investigate
- Decision-making mechanics that affected the plot
The game’s mature themes set it apart from similar titles. It presented graphic crime scenes and dealt with serious topics, catering to an adult audience.
Players engaged in various investigative activities throughout the game. These included:
- Examining crime scenes
- Interrogating suspects
- Analyzing evidence
- Making deductions
Cause of Death’s storytelling approach resembled choose-your-own-adventure books. Players’ choices directly impacted character relationships and case resolutions.
The game received positive reviews for its engaging narrative and interactive elements. It appealed to fans of crime fiction and detective stories, offering a digital twist on the genre.
Plot and Setting
Cause of Death takes place in a gritty, crime-ridden San Francisco. Players navigate complex murder investigations and face off against dangerous criminals as part of the SFPD.
San Francisco Narrative
The game’s primary setting is San Francisco, portrayed as a city plagued by violent crime. Players explore various neighborhoods, from upscale districts to seedy underbellies. Key locations include SFPD headquarters, crime scenes, and suspect hideouts.
The narrative weaves San Francisco’s iconic landmarks into the storylines. Players might chase suspects across the Golden Gate Bridge or investigate murders at Fisherman’s Wharf.
Main Story Arcs
The game features several major story arcs, each focusing on a different serial killer or criminal mastermind. Notable villains include The Maskmaker, a deranged killer who creates masks from victims’ faces.
Another prominent arc involves the Firstborn, a mysterious criminal organization with deep roots in San Francisco’s underworld. Players uncover their sinister plots and confront high-ranking members.
Some story arcs extend beyond San Francisco, taking players to locations like Tokyo for international investigations.
Notable Side Stories
Alongside the main arcs, Cause of Death offers engaging side stories that flesh out the game world. These narratives often explore the personal lives and backgrounds of main characters.
Some side stories delve into cold cases, allowing players to solve long-forgotten crimes. Others focus on interpersonal relationships within the SFPD, adding depth to character interactions.
Certain side stories introduce temporary locations or characters, providing fresh scenarios for players to navigate.
Development and Release
Cause of Death was created by EA Mobile and released for iOS and macOS devices. The game evolved through episodic content updates, offering players new chapters in its crime-solving narrative.
Creation by EA Mobile
EA Mobile developed Cause of Death as a mature-themed visual novel focusing on crime and serial killers. The game was designed to appeal to an older audience compared to their previous title, Surviving High School. EA Mobile aimed to create an immersive detective experience, allowing players to step into the shoes of law enforcement officers tracking down dangerous criminals.
Availability on Platforms
Cause of Death launched on December 16, 2010, for iOS devices through the App Store. It was also made available for macOS, expanding its reach to desktop users. The game remained accessible on these platforms until September 2014, when it was removed from the App Store. During its active period, players could download and play the game on their iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers.
Evolution of Episodes
The game’s content was delivered through episodic releases, keeping players engaged with regular updates. EA Mobile implemented an “Episodes on Demand” system, allowing users to purchase and play new chapters as they became available. This model provided a continuous stream of fresh content, expanding the game’s storylines and introducing new characters and cases for players to solve.
Each episode built upon the overarching narrative, deepening the game’s plot and character development. The episodic format also allowed EA Mobile to respond to player feedback and adjust future content based on user preferences and engagement metrics.
Characters and Protagonists
Cause of Death features a diverse cast of law enforcement professionals who work together to solve crimes in San Francisco. The game centers on two main protagonists and includes several key supporting characters who contribute to investigations and storylines.
Detective Mal Fallon
Mal Fallon serves as one of the primary protagonists in Cause of Death. A San Francisco police detective, Mal comes from a family with deep roots in law enforcement. His father, Jacob Fallon, was a police captain. Despite a troubled youth that often put him at odds with the law, Mal eventually followed in his father’s footsteps.
Mal is known for his quick wit and unconventional methods. He often relies on intuition and street smarts to solve cases. His complex background, including past run-ins with the law, gives him unique insights into criminal behavior.
Mal’s partnership with FBI profiler Natara Williams forms the core of many storylines. Their different approaches to crime-solving create both tension and effective collaboration.
Special Agent Natara Williams
Natara Williams is an FBI profiler and the second main protagonist of Cause of Death. Her analytical skills and psychological expertise complement Mal Fallon’s more instinctive approach to investigations.
Natara’s background includes extensive training in behavioral analysis. She excels at creating criminal profiles and predicting suspect actions. Her methodical nature often contrasts with Mal’s impulsive tendencies, leading to a dynamic working relationship.
As the series progresses, Natara becomes more integrated into the San Francisco law enforcement community. Her character development includes personal challenges and professional growth as she adapts to working closely with local police.
Supporting Cast Overview
The supporting characters in Cause of Death play crucial roles in expanding the game’s narrative depth. Blaise Corso, a tough and seasoned detective, brings additional firepower and street knowledge to investigations. Jeremy Redbird offers a fresh perspective as a younger officer rising through the ranks.
Ken Greene, a veteran cop, provides mentorship and occasional comic relief. The tech-savvy duo of Kai Kalaba and Amy Chen support the team with forensic analysis and data mining. Each character brings unique skills and personality traits that enrich the gameplay and storytelling.
Gameplay Mechanics
Cause of Death’s gameplay revolves around interactive storytelling, player choices, and investigative elements. Players take on the roles of both victims and detectives in thrilling murder mysteries.
Choice and Consequence
Players shape the narrative through their decisions. Key moments present multiple options, each leading to different outcomes. These choices impact character relationships, plot developments, and even determine who lives or dies.
The game tracks player decisions, creating a personalized experience. Some choices have immediate consequences, while others influence later events or unlock new story paths.
Players must carefully consider their actions during investigations and interrogations. Wrong choices can hinder progress or lead to unfavorable outcomes.
Premium Content and In-App Purchases
Cause of Death offers a mix of free and premium content. The initial download provides access to the first episode and limited gameplay.
Additional episodes and story arcs are available through in-app purchases. These premium episodes often feature more complex plotlines and higher-stakes scenarios.
Players can also buy special items or bonuses to enhance their investigative abilities. These may include extra clues, extended interrogation time, or unique dialogue options.
Interactive Gameplay Elements
The game incorporates various interactive elements to engage players. Crime scene investigations require careful observation and evidence collection. Players must analyze clues and piece together information to solve cases.
Interrogation sequences test players’ deductive skills. They must ask the right questions and interpret suspect responses to uncover the truth.
Timed events add tension to critical moments. Players must make split-second decisions that can dramatically alter the story’s direction.
Mini-games occasionally appear, providing a change of pace from the main narrative. These may include puzzles, memory challenges, or action sequences related to the current case.
Major Themes and Elements
Cause of Death explores complex moral dilemmas, law enforcement challenges, and personal relationships against a backdrop of crime and mystery. The game delves into issues of justice, vigilantism, and the blurred lines between right and wrong.
Dilemmas of Morality
Players face difficult ethical choices throughout the game. They must decide whether to follow strict legal procedures or bend rules to catch criminals. The game presents scenarios where characters confront the temptation of vigilante justice.
These moral quandaries force players to weigh the costs and benefits of their actions. Characters grapple with questions of ends justifying means when pursuing dangerous suspects.
The narrative examines how far one should go to uphold the law or achieve justice. It challenges players to consider the consequences of crossing ethical lines, even for seemingly noble reasons.
Justice and Law Enforcement
Law enforcement procedures and challenges feature prominently in the gameplay. Players take on the role of detectives investigating complex criminal cases. They must gather evidence, interrogate suspects, and piece together clues.
The game highlights the difficulties of catching elusive serial killers and organized crime figures. It showcases both the tedious legwork and high-stakes action involved in police work.
Corruption within law enforcement institutions also emerges as a key theme. Characters encounter dirty cops and must decide how to handle internal misconduct.
Players experience the pressures and ethical dilemmas faced by real-world law enforcement officers in their pursuit of justice.
Love and Personal Dynamics
Romantic relationships and personal connections play an important role in the story. Characters develop romantic interests and face conflicts between their professional and personal lives.
The game explores how romantic entanglements can complicate investigations. It also examines the toll that high-stress law enforcement work takes on personal relationships.
Players must navigate office politics and interpersonal dynamics within the police force. Loyalty to partners and colleagues is tested as characters face difficult choices.
The narrative weaves these personal elements with the overarching crime storylines to create a rich, character-driven experience.
Reception and Impact
Cause of Death garnered significant attention from players and critics alike. The game’s unique blend of mystery and interactive storytelling resonated strongly with its audience, leading to a devoted following.
Critical Acclaim
Cause of Death received positive reviews from gaming publications. Critics praised its engaging narrative, well-developed characters, and innovative approach to the visual novel genre. The game’s intricate plot twists and suspenseful atmosphere were particularly highlighted as standout features.
Many reviewers noted the game’s ability to keep players on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating each new episode. The quality of writing and voice acting also earned commendation, contributing to the game’s immersive experience.
Player Engagement and Community
Cause of Death fostered a vibrant and active community. Fans formed groups on social media platforms, particularly Facebook, to discuss theories, share favorite moments, and speculate about future plot developments.
The game’s episodic release format encouraged regular player engagement. Weekly updates kept the community buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Players often participated in lively debates about character motivations and potential plot twists.
The Cause of Death Wiki became a central hub for fans to compile information, share insights, and collaborate on solving the game’s mysteries. This community-driven resource enhanced the overall player experience, deepening engagement with the game’s complex narrative.
Expansion and Spin-Offs
Cause of Death expanded its universe through connections to other games and ongoing story updates. The game’s success led to crossovers and inspired new titles within the same thematic space.
Surviving High School Connection
Cause of Death shared a close relationship with Surviving High School, another popular game by the same developers. The two games frequently featured crossover episodes, allowing characters to appear in both universes. This connection enhanced the storytelling possibilities and gave players a wider narrative experience.
Players could explore interconnected storylines and familiar faces across both games. The shared universe approach added depth to the characters and settings, creating a more immersive experience for fans of both titles.
Continuous Story Expansions
The developers regularly released new episodes and storylines for Cause of Death, keeping the game fresh and engaging. These expansions introduced new cases, suspects, and plot twists to challenge players’ detective skills.
Each update brought additional content, extending the game’s lifespan and maintaining player interest. New characters were introduced, existing storylines evolved, and the overall narrative grew more complex over time.
The continuous expansions allowed players to build long-term connections with the characters and storylines. This approach contributed to the game’s lasting appeal and dedicated fanbase.
Guide to the Cause of Death Universe
Cause of Death offers a rich, immersive world filled with complex characters and thrilling cases. Players step into a gritty crime drama featuring memorable villains, high-stakes investigations, and hidden secrets to uncover.
Catalogue of Antagonists
The Cause of Death universe features a rogues’ gallery of unforgettable criminals. Zero stands out as a brilliant but twisted serial killer who challenges detectives with elaborate schemes. The Hand of Justice operates as a vigilante group taking the law into their own hands.
The Ladykiller preys on young women, while the Salazar crime family runs a powerful drug empire. Players also face the Boogeyman, a shadowy figure who haunts children’s nightmares. The Cleaners work as professional fixers, erasing evidence of crimes.
Famous Cases and Events
Several major cases define the Cause of Death storyline. The hunt for the Maskmaker serial killer kicks off the series. The Flores cartel war erupts into violence across San Francisco.
A string of seemingly unrelated murders leads to the discovery of the Firstborn cult. The Kraken case involves a deadly terrorist attack on the Golden Gate Bridge. Players unravel the mystery of Livewire, a hacker holding the city hostage.
Guide to Special Features
Secret Files unlock bonus content and backstories for major characters. Players can access character bios, evidence files, and location details. The Autopsy Lab allows close examination of key evidence.
Interrogation sequences test players’ deductive skills. Timed action sequences add intensity to chases and fights. Multiple endings based on choices create replay value. Premium episodes expand the storyline with self-contained mysteries.