There The Light
I can see this being one of those games that polarizes people - you’re either the type of person who likes this kind of game or you’re not. And if you’re not, you’re probably really going to dislike it.
Fortunately, I’m in the former category. I loved the “vibe” of this game. But more than that, I loved the feeling I experienced playing it. I come from the “walking simulator”/exploration game camp. I love games where I can explore, at my own pace, a place that has a lot to see and experience. I also like puzzles to an extent, and the puzzles in this were either simple (but somewhat meditative) or somewhat annoying (the circular ones). I didn’t struggle too long with any of them, but I enjoyed some more than others, even if they weren’t difficult. It felt like the point of the game wasn’t the puzzles but more the experience as a whole.
– Real player with 3.4 hrs in game
Read More: Best Mystery Stylized Games.
There The Light takes the player on a mystical journey through the abandoned ruins of a long lost civilization. The mystery of who these people were and what caused them to leave this world remains unsolved even after the end of the game, although there are hints indicating what actually happened. At the same time, the game leaves a lot of space for personal interpretation or various speculations, the story being conveyed solely through the numerous inscriptions and drawings that one can find on the walls of the surrounding temples. One thing is certain though: this advanced civilization left behind a series of puzzles and enigmatic mechanisms.
– Real player with 1.7 hrs in game
Detective Butler: Maiden Voyage Murder
Nice detective kinetic novel for one or two afternoons I guess (yeah, there are actually no choices at all) and one that is completely FREE at that. It’s full of overused tropes and it doesn’t take itself seriously at times but I certainly wouldn’t call it bad either as it leaves some food for the thought in the end, so it’s probably somewhere in between.
So yeah - it was enjoyable yet also flawed experience for me. Women characters here are mostly likeable and detailed but all man except captain and protagonist father would benefited from more developement. The pacing was actually pretty good but the mystery was maybe way too easy for me as I guessed the culprit and how everything happend right after the murder happened. Which is good and bad at the same time but thankfully the rest of the story was interesting to follow at least. But the main flaws were probably both main characters - detective Butler and main character (Golder’s son) unfortunately.
– Real player with 10.3 hrs in game
Read More: Best Mystery Text-Based Games.
Excellent! A free murder mystery visual novel. It’s apparently the first part of Misadventures of Detective Butler series. Originally released in 2013 and then got onto Steam in 2017 with some edits and improvements. I liked this a lot. Has a lot of personal moments and mystery itself is fairly interesting. Albeit I really would like to force detective to grow some beard first. You don’t get to choose anything in a game, which is shame, as I think they could at least test us with picking a suspect at the end of a game. But hey, at least it gives enough clues to solve it fairly before the murderer is revealed.
– Real player with 7.2 hrs in game
Through The Fragmentation
Short but sweet. Charming, but at the same time, low-key depressing. The setting, the themes, the visuals, and the music all come together very nicely. The multiple endings and achievements add replayability, and coming back for more was well worth it. There’s some pretty deep and metaphorical stuff going on, which might hit home for many of you, I found it really touching too. Had a very pleasant experience. I don’t think the charm of this game is going to wear off of me for a long time, very memorable stuff.
– Real player with 9.2 hrs in game
Read More: Best Mystery First-Person Games.
Defragging For More
I love it to pieces. Or should that be ‘I love it to fragments?'
If like me you’re a fan of Thirty Flights of Loving and Gravity Bones, you might be in the right place. One aspect I really loved about those was the light inventory management combined with something like a spy premise. There’s something so effective about an ‘augmented walking sim.’ Throw in as many varied and single-usage mechanics as you can and you birth something constantly engaging. Not the norm given how expensive a disposable approach to gameplay would make most games.
– Real player with 5.2 hrs in game
Lapso: NIMBO
Nimbo: “flat circular device that emits some kind of light."
Lapso: NIMBO is the prologue to a beautiful exploration puzzle game that will hopefully be released later this year.
Following the tracks of a hiker who mysteriously disappeared, we explore mysterious caves where we find strange drawings and constructs. We also have to solve a few puzzles to progress but nothing too hard as all the solutions can be found in the environment.
The least we can say is that the game is stunning and meticulous care was taken in its design as in the lights and sounds effects.
– Real player with 3.1 hrs in game
Nimbo is the project of two Spanish developers, if I’m not mistaken. For now, it’s a short prologue with a sci-fi mystery narrative. The story takes place in Rockrose about the mystery of some lights that haunt on the place. Our character Kali Müller decides to go to the place to investigate about the nature of the enigmatic lights. He will be surprised to find a cavern with strange objects, out-of-this-world artefacts, and writing that he has never seen before. In the game there are some documents and photographs with an interesting text as clues to unveil the mystery of the appeared lights. Well, —I confess that I really liked the narrative of the game in Spanish. It has been a long time since I read or played anything in Spanish—. Despite being a short game, it offers a promising atmosphere of mystery throughout. That reminds me a bit of game in the part of the caverns: The Forest. The aesthetics of the game play on a harmonious combination of chiaroscuro between the nature of the earth with the technology and alien writing. That can be seen with the waterfall or the caverns and the luminous writing in various parts of the place. The development of the plot appears to be linear, because sometimes it teleports us from one place to another in the shape of the branches of a tree. There will always be a node connection between each branch of our journey. Not only attracts the storytelling and aesthetic aspect of the game. Those logical nodes of the narrative occur in the teleport jump. The effect of that: an almost filmic showing of the game. What unites these jumps or scene changes is the solution of a puzzle within the game. The puzzles are simple, but interesting, with the appearance of interacting with strange technology. All that is in our way will be the clues to solve the mystery locked in Rockrose. That combination of modest phosphorescence, a minimalist-ambient music and the dark colour of earthly nature, the developers offer an interesting and promising game proposition. With simple and affordable game mechanics, as well as a visual design that captures our attention at all times. We hope to know more about this interesting game.
– Real player with 1.5 hrs in game
Free Spirit VR Meditation
Experienced on the Oculus Quest 2
You can view my review & gameplay here: https://youtu.be/H0tCFSIIXAo
This is an about 10 minute long, meditative experience through the Peruvian Andes Mountains. Where you basically teleport up a quick climb, see the scenic views, then sit at a campfire. There’s a narrator saying a prayer to the fire in English. You can also draw during this and then send your painting to the fire. That’s it basically.
Experience is running on the Unreal Engine. I was getting variable frame rates from 90 to frame rates in the 40s fps. The visuals were just okay and something that would be fine in a free to play experience. The ambient sounds were also just okay. While the narration was good and the musical score, that doesn’t exactly amount to a premium experience. There’s only teleport for the locomotion and the locomotion was not smooth (as it was difficult to turn in the direction you wanted).
– Real player with 0.4 hrs in game
Empowering meditative experience, highly recommended! Either if you are a an experienced or beginner meditator.
This 10-15min experience delves you into the visually-stunning site of Machu Pichu, where you follow a trail alongside a beautiful voice that guides you. The sun sets alongside the walk, creating delightful light effects. This visually rich experience guides you to release your fears and envision the life that you want.
Although some people may consider the experience short, the power of this piece stands on the intention you put on it. It is not about quantity of scenarios, it is about your sincerity when setting your intentions in front of the fire, to release what you don´t need and bring about the life that you envision.
– Real player with 0.4 hrs in game
Horror Globes
This was a fun little horror game for sure:) I messed up a bit and misunderstood something and that led to some dying and alot of time walking around with no clue what to do. But thats all on me lol. All in all, fun little halloween horror game. Damn kids and their freaking candy!;) :)
– Real player with 7.0 hrs in game
This is the seedling of the ideal Halloween game, for which I’d gladly pay a big-game price. Seriously, they are onto something that is exactly what I’ve been looking for. It does have its issues though, which even at the current price, totally ruined it for me. I tried to detail exactly why in the forums; nobody likes negative feedback, but the mods deleted most of my comments, then called me insulting and toxic, and banned me. I’ve never been banned from anything before so this was bewildering. I attempted to get more information from them, but couldn’t get a response. I then asked for a refund which, since I’d played the game over 2 hours (struggling to solve a riddle), was of course denied. Steam Support failed to help. Buyer beware.
– Real player with 3.6 hrs in game
Cions of Vega
Another lovely walking simulator from Tonguc Bodur. In a departure from previous games, you have a companion on your journey to find your missing daughter. Your brother follows you, providing commentary (with a strong American accent that borders on a southern twang!) and a few inventory items. His dialog, coupled with notes found along the way, begin to alert you that all is not right in the world you are walking through.
The game is split into 7 sections, delimited by gates that each require a key. Keys are located by searching abandoned houses, a church, and some tunnels/caves for clues and solving some basic puzzles. There is one brief platforming sequence that is easy to navigate. Otherwise, you can run, walk, crouch and jump. For speedy gamers, there is a convenient ‘auto-run’ toggle.
– Real player with 3.9 hrs in game
Finished it, finally. I say finally because I am a novice gamer and what might seem old hat to most players will give me fits! The puzzles are basic–this game is mostly about the story and the journey. I love Unreal Engine 4 games because the scenery is so neat and this game doesn’t disappoint. The cons for me were inside the houses it is very dark and made it hard to see, and I thought the brother was SUPER creepy, following like red light/green light, but I understand he is a necessary part of the game. The best part was at the end when you earn the right to make a choice (of 3 choices). I’m not going to spoil it but I’ll just say the choice I made was VERY satisfying lol.
– Real player with 2.7 hrs in game
ANDERSON
Definitely recommend this game if you like puzzle adventures, and the price is well worth it at this time. The graphics are good and it runs well ( I am using Vive Pro wireless with Vive controllers) now that the devs have applied some quick hot fixes….this dev team is the most responsive of all game devs that I have seen on Steam ( and I have been a Steam/Valve member since 1999)….shows you how much they care about making this game great.
No real complaints as it is a lot of fun….and the puzzles are challenging but not extremely difficult. The atmosphere is generally dark and the immersion is good. Audio/sounds are well done to match the content.
– Real player with 3.3 hrs in game
Anderson is a very fun puzzle game. Even though its still in early access, it has a lot of potential! I noticed a few bugs and other issues during game play, and the developers were very receptive to the reports and suggestions.
If you like puzzle games, especially in VR, this is one title to get and solve!
– Real player with 2.9 hrs in game
Greyhat - A Digital Detective Adventure
This game ties if not usurps The Return of the Obra Dinn as my favorite game of all time. I’ve played hundreds of games on Steam and PS4, nearly all of them critical darlings, of all genres and scopes. Alphabetically in my library, it sits between Gorogoa and Guacamelee, and after this, Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 is next in my queue.
While not trying to spoil anything, I recommend this game to pretty much anybody without reservation, worth every penny of its asking price - but most especially those that actively seek out games of this genre like Obra Dinn and to a lesser extent like Unheard that tickle the brain a little they way a detective or point-and-click adventure game might. Hell even if you like the Ace Attorney series of games, there’s something in here for you too. Far from perfect and I have my critiques, but to be honest my library is full of these faux hacker puzzle/detective games but none are as creative, polished, or fleshed-out or quite frankly as affecting as Greyhat. The “a-ha” moments here are the most rewarding and feel most earned here and for example chatting and “tunneling” elements are two examples of how the devs going out of their way to nail the feeling of being a clandestine keyboard warrior furiously typing messages or lines of code. Were I to say more I’d worry about revealing spoilers.
– Real player with 25.5 hrs in game
My playtime: 19.2h (based on steam, 100% achievement)
Grindy Achievement(s): No.
Optional Achievement(s): Yes (5 achievements).
Difficult Achievement(s): No.
Intro
Greyhat - A Digital Detective Adventure is a game where you have to find clues and solve minigames. The game has ~19 levels in total.
Pros:
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~19 levels
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Minigames
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Hints
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Some levels have different solutions when you replay it
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Collectibles
Cons:
- You need to manually type some clues to your notes
– Real player with 19.2 hrs in game
The Secret of Retropolis
Disclaimer: I was given a copy for free as I was involved in the beta testing for the Steam version.
The game was successfully enjoyed with an Oculus Quest 2 headset and Airlink.
The Secret of Retropolis is a classic point & click adventure game in VR that puts you in the pants of a robot detective that is hired by a famous movie star to retrieve a stolen necklace. The story will evolve in unpredicted ways in the classic style of a film noir.
Let’s get the elephant out of the room, it’s a short experience and it will not require more than 1h30 for a first playthrough.
– Real player with 4.1 hrs in game
Don’t call it outdated – it’s retro! Point and click adventures are back in the charming, tongue-in-cheek film noir “The Secret of Retropolis.”
The Good:
1. Art/Style – Put simply, Retropolis is a bundle of cel-shaded panache that feels like someone took all the best parts of the artistic styles of Metropolis, Futurama, and the classic LucasArts SCUMM engine point and clicks, brought to life in VR. The “film within a film” cutscenes are a particular standout in terms of presentation.
– Real player with 2.8 hrs in game