The Ratline is an investigation game where you play the role of a private investigator with a knack for finding people through records and paperwork. It starts with a murder and a phone call and ends with you finding the whereabouts of Nazis brought into the United States after World War II.
What I Didn't Like
Unclear Clues and Investigation Logic
I've played a few investigation games, including The Roottrees are Dead and Return of the Obra Dinn, whose creators are listed on the Steam page with recommendations for this game.
With these types of games, the clues need to give the player a way to logic things out. There can't be gaps that leave you confused; otherwise, you're blocked.
In The Ratline, there are a couple of clues that just didn't line up for me. Thankfully the clue system gets you past these issues so you don't end up blocked, but it breaks the mystery and immersion when the clues don't feel logical.
It didn't happen a lot, only a couple of times, but it was still exceptionally frustrating.
Non-Believable Conversations
I don't mind having to suspend my disbelief with video games once in a while to keep the fantasy going. But some of the conversations in The Ratline were just a bridge too far for me to cross.
You are an investigator working out of your apartment in New York and have to call various places around the world to get more clues in searching out your targets. Usually, these conversations involve murders or other crimes that you're looking for more details about.
The idea that this investigator could call someone across the globe and get photos of crime scenes in return, on just a single phone call, is just too unbelievable for me.
I realize that could be nitpicking things, but the writing in these types of games and the way in which you acquire clues need to be believable.
What I Liked
The Clue System
Everything you need to fill in as part of your investigation has the option to get a clue to help push you along. It is a 3-clue system where the third clue is the answer, and the second clue even warns you that the next clue will be the answer.
I really loved this system.
For the shortcomings mentioned above, this system was the safety net that ensured I didn't get stuck during any of the investigations.
Every investigation game should have a system like this that gives you the option of nudging yourself forward.
Based on Facts
The Ratline, it turns out, is a real thing in real world history.
Beating the game unlocks a link to the CIA declassified documents noting how the CIA helped smuggle Nazis out of Europe after World War II in exchange for them being spies and providing information to the US intelligence group.
It has been a long time since I played a game rooted in real-life history, and although I had heard stories of the sort on my own, it was very interesting to see a game conclude by bringing the history to light and tying these ideas into the story of the game itself.
Apartment Atmosphere
You spend the whole time in your beat-up New York apartment, with a leaky roof, the rain coming down outside, and a radio and your dog to keep you company while you hunt down your targets.
I really liked this atmosphere.
There was a whole "chill vibes" film noir thing going on, and I really liked it. The radio station had a few different flavours of music to keep the vibes rolling without distracting you. And you know I opened that window about 100 times to get some "fresh air" in the apartment.
I realize it's all just fluff, but I really liked that fluff. So much so, I am writing about it here. It made the game better, despite some of the weaknesses in the writing itself.
The Conclusion
All in all, The Ratline was a solid experience. I have definitely played better investigation games, but this one was a fun one.
I think with a few more patches, they could iron out some of those kinks in the writing if they wanted to, but I would recommend this game to anyone looking for another investigation simulator.
