STORY
In a war-town country, the newly adopted 'revised justice code' made it easier for the government to detain people with very little evidence. Suspects are now guilty until proven innocent. In the midst of this time, Rafael Sorel & Shae Summers run a private eye company, Sorel & Summers agency, in the business district of Astria.
One night, the duo is informed that their detective license has been revoked by the government, due to influence from a high ranked individual. A 200.000 credits payment is needed to repurchase the license. In a bid to collect the cash, Sorel & Summers work with the Sawyer Investigation Offices, a big firm, who offer a way out if the duo does some sensitive work for SIO.
What that work entails, differs each time. Private Eyes & Secret Desires is a corruption story game, focused on how far you are willing to sexually corrupt both detectives while on the job. A kiss here, some dancing or a blowjob elsewhere. How far will you go to close a case successfully?
That premise sounds awesome and well-thought out. It all depends on good corruption, however. Most of it is currently quite shallow and sexual. In playing both a ‘least corruption’ and a ‘most corruption’ playthrough, a few extra intimate scenes are unlocked, but the story largely stays the same. Both main characters are aware of their sliding morals and constantly reference how they shouldn't push further, but as of yet haven’t actually felt all that corrupted in writing.
While the backstory of the game is strong enough to provide a real detective crime vibe, the game obviously leans on sexual crutches. Even as your employer cranks up the heat, Shae is often objectified or near-penetrated while Rafael is keeping himself busy with meaningless story branches. I get the crux of the game is to enjoy the idea of a couple being corrupted, but because of the emotional weight missing behind their lifelong bond, you might as well pretend they're adulters posing as secret swingers and take the suspense away to just enjoy the corruption.
That said, it's a fun story that shouldn't be taken too serious. The game tries to sell you seriousness, but early on you learn to just roll with the punches until the story finds its footing. It could go darker in the future, although I’m wondering if at this point drama between Shae and Rafael would be content anyone would play for.
PRESENTATION
Private Eyes & Secret Desires has a wax-like kind of look to the renders, which I don't remember his earlier game 'The Point of No Return' having. Those graphics don't always work in favor of the realistic setting the developer is going for. If you can look past the lighting and smooth textures, there is a game here that is surprisingly consistent in image quality.
Rafael looks believable enough, but it's Shae Summers that takes the literal cake of this game. Despite having a facial structure that feels like it belongs in a manga, the woman effortlessly shapes into all kinds of different characters while sporting her eyecatching curves. On the other side of the bill are Jacob Sawyer and his accomplice Lydia, who are in looks presented as your basic corporate villains.
DS23G is fond of medium frame shots and this game still shows that love, much like his other games. As the game progresses, the game does get more creative in her shot angles. Intimate scenes could often do with a few more close-ups, but overall there's enough variety to be enjoyed. Speaking of intimate scenes, there are a few frame-by-frame animations and a series of soundtracks that didn't help nor harm the game's vibe.
Locations are set up pretty well, as the dev found a way to incorporate a couple of interesting places for some detective work. Think clubs, gyms, brothels and more. The game's war backstory pops in every now and then, but has only recently been an affect for characters, which grounds them firmly inside the world of Astria.
A slew of side characters, like Laura the journalist and Cash the hitman, flesh out the game with eye candy of both sexes. They work well with each other, although Rafael feels like realistic la game centered around Shae. Thankfully, the latest update brings some much needed counterweight to that formula.
PE&SD looks good and sells you the world of corrupting detectivism with a predatory smile. It’s up to you to ask how much you want to enjoy it.
GAMEPLAY
Private Eyes & Secret Desires is a visual novel, with a corruption mechanic through choices and little bits of exploration. Most of the game you experience or influence the story through choices, which raise or remove corruption for either Shae or Rafael.
In addition, there's a relationship mechanic for both detectives for many of the bigger side characters. You can track how relationships develop, although that’s for future updates. Your corruption level is always displayed in the menu, and a special switch allows you to preview consequences of your choices.
On special occasions, the game will ask you to do some actual detective work. Either looking through rooms in a point-and-click style minigame or questioning people will eventually give you new ways to push the case forward. It's pretty scripted, but a nice change of pace from the visual novel storytelling.
OVERALL
Private Eyes & Secret Desires is a fun game, although the corruption side of things doesn't really shine through yet. If you are a fan of how Shae Summers looks, you can go ahead and play this without question. The latest updates are picking up the pace of the game considerably, so if you don't mind a slow detective burn you should give this game a try.
Rating: 7/10
Developer: DS23Games
Tags: VN, Detective, Work, Corruption
