This Is The Zodiac Speaking is two games in one, and while neither is stellar, one of them is certainly better than the other. In Serial Killer Mode, the Zodiac's pursuits feel broken and will leave you more frustrated than frightened, but switch the game over to its more investigations-heavy mode, and the true-crime nerds will get a kick out of the many details strewn about the game.

If you pitched This is the Zodiac Speaking to us at a Dragon’s Den, we would have given you the money. A true-crime hunt for the real-life serial killer, in partnership with the Investigation Discovery channel: it feels like a no brainer. Unfortunately, like the infamous scene from the Hannibal movie, it feels more like someone else is spooning your brains out. This could have been the gateway to more true crime games on the Xbox One – instead, it’s a gateway to something a little more hellish.

For a title that has as interesting a premise as This is the Zodiac Speaking, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Tough to read stealth mechanics, a wooden cast delivering a bland story, dull visuals and audio, and some baffling UI and technical issues mean that I cannot recommend this to even the most ardent of thriller fans.

Whether players are looking for mystery or a new horror game, there are better options out there. It's truly disappointing that such a unique concept produced such a lackluster end result, but This is the Zodiac Speaking falls apart on every level. Its awkward pacing, lackluster gameplay, and laughable dialogue only scratch the surface of its problems.

Whether players are looking for mystery or a new horror game, there are better options out there. It's truly disappointing that such a unique concept produced such a lackluster end result, but This is the Zodiac Speaking falls apart on every level. Its awkward pacing, lackluster gameplay, and laughable dialogue only scratch the surface of its problems.