The world is at peace in the year 2047. That peace did not come without a price, however. A disaster occurred and a new World Union (WU) was formed to take control. Many of the world's largest countries are now part of the WU, which manages most aspects of everyday life - even the rearing of human offspring. Everyone's daily lives are monitored by the WU. So, while the world is free from crime, sickness, famine and suffering, human emotions and privacies have been sacrificed for the greater good.
There are still some regions of the world that have not yet merged into the WU. These Rogue States and Unexploitable sectors are immigrated under the supervision of the Global Peace and Security Network (GPSN).
It is in the GPSN that Phoenix Wallis, the main character, is employed as a Peace Officer stationed in Adrianopolis, near the borders of Russia, a Rogue State. Phoenix and her partner, Julio, are assigned to investigate a rare occurrence - the murder of a Russian immigrant. As the story progresses, however, she discovers much more is going on - an underground force that could shatter the current utopia.
This 3D, 3rd person adventure game combines science fiction fantasy with elements of mystery/crime investigation. There are many NPCs to talk with and futuristic locations to explore. Travelling around is handled simply by walking/running from place to place, and, later, zipping to visited areas using a map in Phoenix's PDA. Puzzles are of varied difficulty and type including those based on conversations, logic and the use of inventory items found. Gameplay is largely non-linear and unfolds over a series of days. An orchestrated sound track provides background and enhancement music. Control is completely point-and-click, and the player's success is graded with a points system that reveals itself at the end of the game.
Turkish novelist Alev Alatli's series of books Schrödinger's Cat, written in 2000 and 2001, inspired Culpa Innata's storyline.