L'Affaire Vera Cruz

The game

Look first, investigate second

The investigation has two distinct working spaces. It begins with a crime-scene image explored through a movable viewfinder, then shifts to police enquiries. That change gives the opening examination a practical purpose: the observations you carry away shape the work that follows. Treat the scene as the beginning of your case file, with details to record and questions to pursue.

Build connections

At the enquiry stage, names and places become leads you can enter and investigate. You can connect known objects with people, consider statements, request handwriting examination and an autopsy, and direct enquiries to addressees. The central task is to bring these different kinds of information together. The program explicitly cautions against making an accusation before you have enough supporting evidence.

This edition

The English CPC edition

Although the collection lists this game under its French title, the selected Amstrad CPC edition contains English program text. Its interface uses the CPC’s original keyboard controls, so approach it as a keyboard investigation rather than a mouse-driven adventure.

Start here

1. Survey before drawing conclusions

   Make an orderly first pass across the scene. Give each area some attention instead of letting the most conspicuous detail determine your whole investigation.

2. Make usable notes

   Record what you observe in concrete terms. Keep observations separate from your interpretation of them, so a promising theory does not replace the details you will need later.

3. Review before moving on

   At the notes stage, check whether your record leaves any obvious gaps. Revisit the scene if necessary; begin the enquiry phase once you have a useful set of leads to work with.

Original controls

These are the original game's controls. For keyboard, controller and touch settings in this player, see Controls & help.

Cursor keys

Move the viewfinder during the first-part scene examination.

COPY

Open a close-up. COPY is an original Amstrad CPC keyboard key.

ENTER

Finish the scene examination. After the notes, press ENTER to advance to the next part.

R

After the notes, return to the scene investigation.

Playing tips

• Keep a lead list

  Write names and places exactly as they appear, and mark which you have followed up. This gives your enquiries a clear next step when several possibilities compete for attention.

• Give each request a purpose

  Before seeking an examination or sending an enquiry, identify the question you want answered. A result is easier to use when you know which uncertainty prompted it.

• Track support and contradictions

  For each theory, list both the details that support it and those it fails to explain. Use unresolved contradictions to choose your next enquiry rather than rushing toward an accusation.