A Bavarian Tale: Totgeschwiegen

73%
Game Brain Score Based on 84 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
A Bavarian Tale: Totgeschwiegen Game Cover
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"A Bavarian Tale: Totgeschwiegen" is a historical crime RPG set in 1866 Upper Bavaria. With a 3rd-person perspective, players uncover dark secrets and social tensions in a picturesque village. Skills can be freely improved, and decisions impact the story's outcome. The game boasts complete voice output in Bavarian and English, with 11 different endings and a playtime of approximately 10 hours.

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Reviews

73%
Audience ScoreBased on 84 reviews
story13 positive mentions
optimization7 negative mentions
  • The game features a charming atmosphere and engaging storytelling, immersing players in a Bavarian village setting with interesting characters.
  • The RPG elements, including skill upgrades and multiple dialogue paths, add depth to the gameplay, allowing for varied outcomes and replayability.
  • The Bavarian dialect and voice acting contribute to the game's unique charm, enhancing the overall experience for players familiar with the language.
  • The game suffers from numerous technical issues, including bugs, poor optimization, and frustrating mechanics like the dice-based skill checks that can lead to random failures.
  • The English translation is often inadequate, with many dialogues and text elements remaining in German, making it difficult for non-German speakers to fully enjoy the game.
  • Players have reported significant performance problems, including low frame rates and glitches that hinder gameplay, making it feel unpolished and in need of further development.
  • story33 mentions

    The story of "Inspector Schmidt - A Bavarian Tale" is engaging and rich, blending dark themes with humor and folklore, while offering multiple endings based on player choices. Despite some narrative inconsistencies and translation issues, the game features well-developed characters and a captivating atmosphere that keeps players invested. Overall, it is praised for its intriguing detective elements and immersive storytelling, making it a standout indie title despite minor technical flaws.

    • “Despite its flaws, 'Inspector Schmidt - A Bavarian Tale' is a charming game with a good atmosphere and an interesting enough story that I didn’t mind the negative points too much.”
    • “The detective and the RPG part of the gameplay is quite interesting; you have different options to engage in your interrogations and the outcomes all lead up to the different endings in which the story unfolds.”
    • “'A Bavarian Tale' delivers a captivating journey through folklore with stunning visuals, immersive storytelling, and engaging gameplay.”
    • “However, some story elements mentioned by different characters don’t have any significant impact on the overall narrative, which felt weird and out of place.”
    • “I had an awkward feeling of missing out on major parts of the story by following the 'wrong' plotline.”
    • “On second thought, it is more brutal in its storyline than I imagined.”
  • gameplay19 mentions

    The gameplay features a mix of detective work and RPG elements, allowing players to gather information, engage in conversations, and utilize crafting mechanics, though some mechanics, like the sneaking and skill check systems, can be problematic and lead to frustrating moments. While the game offers a captivating narrative and immersive visuals, technical issues such as loading screens and clunky mechanics can hinder the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, many players find the gameplay engaging and enjoyable, especially when embracing a trial-and-error approach.

    • “The gameplay revolves around getting information, conversing with the different characters, and gathering items and recipes that can be used to enhance your stat rolls temporarily.”
    • “The detective and RPG aspects of the gameplay are quite interesting; you have different options to engage in your interrogations, and the outcomes all lead to different endings in which the story unfolds.”
    • “The game is really flavorful and has a ton of interesting RPG and detective mechanics.”
    • “I found the sneaking mechanic to be a bit problematic.”
    • “The only mechanic of the game I'm not sure about is the 'skill check' / dice game - you could miss important evidence just because of bad luck with the dice.”
    • “Many mechanics are clunky but never to the point they make it hard to pass a quest in the game, maybe except that bowling game, which is just terrible.”
  • graphics18 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the detailed environments and beautiful artwork, while others point out issues such as character model proportions, performance problems, and graphical glitches. Despite these flaws, some players appreciate the unique faded aesthetic and overall visual design, considering it commendable for an indie title. However, technical issues like low framerate and NPC behavior detract from the experience, suggesting the game may not be fully polished for release.

    • “The environments are nicely detailed and have solid graphics overall, though the character models sometimes have weird proportions.”
    • “Graphics and music are beautiful.”
    • “"A Bavarian Tale" delivers a captivating journey through folklore with stunning visuals, immersive storytelling, and engaging gameplay.”
    • “It could've been a pretty dope game, but the execution wasn't as well thought out as the aesthetic of it.”
    • “The game graphics after this were not great; for example, an NPC fell from the sky into place.”
    • “I turned the graphics all the way down and it still couldn't hit 30 fps, let alone 60.”
  • humor11 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its amusing music, particularly the combat theme that players found hilarious, often playing at inopportune moments. The Bavarian voice acting adds a unique comedic flair, though some translation issues may detract from the experience for non-German speakers. Overall, the game successfully blends funny moments with a deeper storyline, making it a charming and entertaining detective experience.

    • “The music that plays when you’re spotted is hilarious, though.”
    • “The original German (Bavarian!) cast also performs the English voiceovers, with hilariously funny outcomes (without any detriment to the atmosphere, I might add).”
    • “There are also a number of funny moments in the game, which don't just play with the typical Bavarian clichés.”
  • music9 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, featuring a charming Bavarian soundtrack reminiscent of beer halls and Oktoberfest, which enhances the overall atmosphere. While the combat music is often described as hilarious and enjoyable, some players experienced issues with it playing inappropriately during non-combat situations, leading to frustration. Overall, the combination of pleasant melodies and humorous elements contributes positively to the gaming experience.

    • “Graphics and music are beautiful.”
    • “The area is very well done (I really enjoyed exploring the map), and the music is crazy good - extra props for the combat music that constantly made me laugh when it started playing.”
    • “There were a few instances where the music started even though nobody was chasing me, and since you can’t save while in combat, reloading was my only option.”
    • “One time I could not rest because the game thought I was in combat, and it was playing their hilarious combat music all the time.”
    • “The music was mainly Bavarian-based music that you would hear in beer halls or at events like Oktoberfest.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Inspector Schmidt - A Bavarian Tale" is widely praised for its charm and attention to detail, effectively capturing the essence of 19th century Bavaria. The game features a well-crafted village filled with interesting characters, and the unique voiceovers add to its quirky yet immersive ambiance. Despite minor flaws, the overall experience is described as blissful and engaging, making it a delightful setting for mystery-solving.

    • “The atmosphere of the game is charming, and the village, while not overly large, is decently sized and filled with interesting villagers.”
    • “Where the game excels is in the atmosphere, the attention to detail and the well-crafted characters.”
    • “The game is really well done overall and creates a believable atmosphere of what 19th century Bavaria would be like.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is charming, but it feels somewhat lacking in depth and immersion.”
    • “While the game has its moments, the atmosphere often feels flat and uninspired, failing to engage the player.”
    • “The atmosphere is inconsistent, with some areas feeling lifeless and not living up to the potential of the setting.”
  • optimization9 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many users reporting poor performance, stuttering, and clunky gameplay that can make it unplayable at times. While some players have managed to enjoy the game despite these issues, the consensus is that optimization needs considerable improvement to enhance the overall experience.

    • “The negative points mentioned in a few reviews (performance issues, graphics, etc.) are true but far outweighed by a lovingly designed pastoral murder mystery set in an authentically Bavarian village.”
    • “The game’s performance could use some optimization.”
    • “Very poorly optimized.”
    • “It looked interesting and I liked the funny sounding Bavarian voice over, but the performance is simply unacceptable.”
  • stability5 mentions

    The game is described as charming and engaging, but it suffers from numerous bugs and graphical glitches that can detract from the experience. While some issues, like AI pathfinding difficulties, are seen as comical, the overall stability is considered lacking, with players hoping for improvements in future updates. Despite these flaws, the game's strong narrative and enjoyable gameplay keep players invested.

    • “Charming and comical but buggy at times, so a bit annoying to play.”
    • “But to be honest: the bugs and glitches were nearly too much, maybe coming from the change to Unreal 5?”
    • “Unfortunately a buggy mess.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect tedious due to the inability to move while engaging in it, making the process of finding items cumbersome and time-consuming.

    • “As you can't move while using it, it makes finding things very tedious.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I spent hours grinding for resources, but the rewards just don't feel worth the effort.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is highly praised for its brilliant implementation, with both the background stories and the characters' secrets—both minor and major—being effectively crafted and engaging.

    • “The character development and background story, including their small and big secrets, are simply brilliantly implemented.”
    • “The way characters evolve throughout the game is incredibly engaging, making their journeys feel personal and impactful.”
    • “Each character's growth is thoughtfully crafted, revealing layers of depth that keep you invested in their stories.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, leaving me disappointed in their growth.”
    • “There are too many characters with underdeveloped backstories, which makes it difficult to care about their journeys.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The game effectively balances humor with poignant storytelling, creating a deeply emotional experience that resonates with players through its underlying themes of tragedy.

    • “There is a lot of humor in the game, but the tragedy behind the stories is all the more touching.”
    • “The characters' struggles resonate deeply, making their journeys feel incredibly real and relatable.”
    • “I found myself emotionally invested in the story; it made me laugh, cry, and reflect on my own experiences.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Users note that the game offers a degree of replayability, suggesting that players may find value in revisiting it despite any limitations.

    • “The game offers a variety of choices that make each playthrough feel unique, enhancing its replayability.”
    • “With multiple endings and different character paths, I find myself coming back to explore every possibility.”
    • “The dynamic gameplay mechanics ensure that no two sessions are ever the same, making it highly replayable.”
    • “The game lacks meaningful choices, making replayability feel pointless.”
    • “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
    • “The limited variety in gameplay mechanics really hurts the replayability factor.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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