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Overview
As a Jinyiwei agent, the protagonist has the authority to interrogate suspects and solve cases. The game describes this as the ability to "solve cases with a few words, interrogate suspects repeatedly, and use your deduction ability to quickly identify the true culprit and send them to jail."
Interrogation mechanics
Players can repeatedly question suspects, revisit evidence, and work through cases using observation and deduction rather than relying on lengthy dialogue. The system favors careful attention to detail over simply exhausting dialogue options.
The Heavenly Deduction ability ties into interrogations. The protagonist's time-related foresight can be used during investigations, potentially allowing the player to see the consequences of accusing a particular suspect before committing to that choice.
Connection to investigation
Interrogation is one component of the game's Investigation System. While the investigation system covers evidence gathering, scene examination, and case reconstruction, interrogation focuses specifically on extracting information from people, whether suspects, witnesses, or other characters encountered during missions.
Deduction integration
The Heavenly Deduction ability's time-rewind function extends to interrogations. If a direct approach fails, the player can rewind and try a different tactic. Rewinds consume 脑力 (mental energy) as a resource. In some encounters, boss characters can acknowledge the protagonist's rewind ability and actively work to counter it, forcing the player to find creative solutions.
Historical basis
The historical Jinyiwei were founded by the Hongwu Emperor in 1368. They administered two sub-institutions, formally split during the Yongle period (1402-1424): the Northern Administrative Court (北镇抚司, bei zhenfusi), which handled imperial-mandated cases (诏狱) and maintained its own secret prison with authority to independently arrest, interrogate, and execute without going through regular judicial channels; and the Southern Administrative Court (南镇抚司, nan zhenfusi), which managed internal discipline and personnel within the guard. Whoever controlled the Northern Commandery seal held the greatest power within the Jinyiwei. The game's interrogation system draws on this historical authority.