In 'Shadows and Silhouettes', players step into the worn shoes of a seasoned detective in a 1940s city overridden with crime and corruption. The game opens with a cinematic monologue setting the tone for the morally ambiguous decisions players will face. Drenched in rain and shaded by the brims of fedoras, players scour crime scenes for clues, jotting down observations in their trusty notepads. Authentic forensic techniques of the era are employed as players cross-reference fingerprints, engage in the careful study of evidence, and parse through misleading information.

The narrative arcs are shaped by the players' choices, moving them through the underbelly of the city, crossing paths with all manner of individuals, each character fully realized with their backstories and secrets. A dialogue system permits intense verbal sparring during interrogations, with facial animations revealing the subtext and stress of each conversation. The weight of every decision is felt, leading to one of multiple endings based on the ethical stance the player has adhered to throughout their journey. Crimes range from sordid tales of passion to gritty, organized crime – all needing a keen eye and a sharper wit to solve.

Characteristic of noir, the game's environments support the narrative with dimly lit streets, the patter of rain, and the distant wail of a saxophone. Color is used sparingly, only to highlight critical items or moments in the story, guiding players towards key discoveries. The puzzles serve to propel the narrative, requiring players to make connections between disparate clues and navigate complex character interactions.

Underpinning the entire experience is a reflection on the very nature of justice and the role of a detective in a world where right and wrong are often as murky as the fog-shrouded alleyways players find themselves investigating. As the story draws to a close, the culmination of choices made by the player is laid bare, revealing the kind of detective they've chosen to be, for better or worse.