Hi there! Recently, there's been some confusion about which players are in which seasons, and why some characters remember us, while some others don't. While none of this is confirmed, I'd like to create a blog post containing, what I think is, the best possible solution to this conundrum. I hope this clears up any questions!
Player One: Grimsborough, Pacific Bay, World Edition, The Conspiracy & Travel in Time.[]
We start off in Grimsborough, a dark city based primarily on New York. We're introduced to our team, the Grimsborough Police Department, before defeating the Crimson Order. Later, we decide to take a job in Pacific Bay alongside the Pacific Bay Police Department, before being recruited by Jack Archer for The Bureau. Sometime after our trip around the world, we return to Grimsborough, before Jack once again recruits us to T.I.M.E.'s Temporal Crimes Division. After Time's Up repairing the timeline and saving the world, we return to the correct 2029 and stay there.
What evidence is there for this?: For GB, PB and WE, we can see concrete transitions for each seasons, confirming they are indeed the same player. While we don't see a clear transition to The Conspiracy, a number of character reference our first stint in the city and recognize us, confirming we are the same player from the first three seasons. A transition to Travel in Time confirms TC and TiT have the same player. At the end of Travel in Time, we see the player discussing 2029, and not returning to 2019. It's never stated that the player goes back. Furthermore, look at the final district's name in Season 6. The End? Seemingly the end for player one.
Player Two: Mysteries of the Past.[]
In Season 4, a new player arrives in Concordia, a city in the past, to solve crimes alongside the Concordian Flying Squad, who operate out of an airship.
What evidence is there for this?: This one is fairly self-explanatory, as the end of World Edition confirms we are solving the cases via the perspective of a new player in the 18th Century. Since the season takes place in the past, the MOTP player is 100% a new player.
Player Three: Supernatural Investigations.[]
In Season 7, a new player joins the Supernatural Hunters, heading off a mission across the United States to stop a growing evil from below. This player is an entirely new player from the other seasons.
What evidence is there for this?: In Blood Lust, the start of Season 7, Jacob Arrow welcomes us to his team, but doesn't mention the player's prior work. This is likely because the player doesn't have any prior work, because this player is a new one. Furthermore, we aren't introduced to the world of the supernatural which suggests we already knew about it, which the other player did not. The most conclusive piece of evidence for this is that none of the suspects from previous seasons recognize us, proving this player isn't the same one they met.
Player Four: City of Romance[]
In Season 8, a new player heads to Paris, the city of romance, to solve Parisian murders and see the sites alongside the Parisian Police Squad. We then meet Carrie James and a search for her missing brother, Cody James, begins.
What evidence is there for this?: In Corpse Chic, the first case of Season 8, Gauthier Delacroix tells the player they come to his team with the highest of credentials, which wouldn't be the case if they were the same player as Season 7, as the hunters were a secret operation. Furthermore, it's never confirmed the S7 player left the hunters, with Gwen Harper only saying they could explore Paris the next day. It's also suggested the S8 player is different from the first player, as Nadia hints that they are "virgins" to Paris, having not been there before - the first player, however, visited Paris in Season 3. Martine Meunier also doesn't recognize us, confirming this player isn't the same one as the other three players.
Conclusion[]
The above information heavily suggests that there are a number of varying players throughout the Criminal Case universe. I believe the reason for this is that the games are now becoming standalones, meaning that each season is separated. Having one player throughout all seasons would become too confusing for new players. I also believe Travel in Time was their way of writing the old player out, to begin with their "new player every new season" plan. That's my theory at least. I'll try to keep this blog post updated as new information comes, I hope this helps clear up any misunderstandings!