A Death in the Red Light

About

"A Death in the Red Light" is a puzzle-based game set in 1988 Amsterdam, a city consumed by crime and vice. As a disgraced cop, you must solve a true crime mystery by connecting clues and using your detective skills to bring a killer to justice. Set against the backdrop of the city's infamous Red Light District, the game offers a gritty and realistic portrayal of historic Amsterdam. Can you solve the case and restore your reputation?

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

77%

Audience ScoreBased on 30 reviews

story6 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

The game features a variety of creative puzzles that keep the experience engaging and fun.
The noir style and Amsterdam setting add a unique charm and depth to the gameplay.
Many players found the game enjoyable and appreciated its humor and intriguing mystery elements.

The game is criticized for being too short, with many players completing it in under 2 hours.
There are numerous bugs and technical issues that can disrupt gameplay, leading to frustrating experiences.
The narrative feels disjointed and lacks depth, making the overall experience feel shallow and unsatisfying.

story
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
43%
19%
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it disjointed and lacking depth, leading to a lack of immersion. While some appreciate the connection to real locations and the intriguing plot twists, others feel it is overshadowed by a series of disconnected puzzles rather than a cohesive narrative. Overall, the story does not fully meet expectations, leaving players wanting more engagement and coherence.
- “I like that it is tied to real locations, which adds a lot of depth and story given it's not completely fictional.”
- “Great puzzle game, with a cool storyline and plot twists!”
- “I love the story and I think the graphics are really cool!”
- “Overall, while the game has its moments, it doesn’t fully deliver on its potential, especially in terms of story.”
- “I ended up skipping all the dialogues and so-called 'cut scenes' in the end because there is no story to this.”
- “The story feels disjointed, like it isn't truly a mystery; rather, it's a series of disconnected puzzles with a weak story that guides you.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
38%
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their beauty and nostalgic appeal, evoking a sense of classic 90s computer games and cinematic themes. Many players appreciate the unique comic book style and the overall aesthetic, which enhances the storytelling experience. However, some users note that graphics are not the primary focus of the game.
- “The graphics are beautiful, and I feel like a cop in an old movie.”
- “The theme and graphics are really cool.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and it takes me back to my childhood of 90s kid computer games.”
- “The graphics are underwhelming and feel outdated.”
- “The visual design lacks detail and polish.”
- “The game's art style doesn't match the overall theme, making it feel disjointed.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The game's replayability is highly polarized; while some users find it infinitely replayable, others criticize it for being overpriced and lacking content, with one player completing it in just 1.5 hours and noting no incentive to replay.
- “🔲 infinitely replayable”
- “It's overpriced for the amount of content you get – I finished it in 1.5 hours, and there's zero replayability.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
The music in the game is appreciated for its style, but some players find that it becomes repetitive and irritating over time.
- “The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I found the soundtrack to be uninspired and forgettable, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- “The audio quality is poor, and the sound effects clash with the music, creating a jarring experience.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in this indie puzzle game is characterized by its witty and self-aware approach, featuring a narcissistic detective navigating a straightforward crime-solving narrative. Players appreciate the game's lighthearted tone and clever dialogue, which enhance the enjoyment of the engaging puzzles without becoming overly complex or frustrating.
- “Really fun little puzzle game... if you like noir detectives, puzzles, and/or Amsterdam, you can't go wrong with this super funny indie puzzle gem.”
- “You play as a narcissistic detective putting together clues to solve a case (or perhaps even more than one...) the game is also hilariously upfront with the fact that it's a straightforward crime solver, by skipping over the details and dropping you straight into a bunch of great puzzles, which are sometimes challenging but never frustrating.”
gameplay
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
100%
The gameplay is criticized for being too short, lasting only 1.5 to 2 hours, and is considered overly easy, making it more suitable for beginners rather than experienced puzzle solvers.
- “The gameplay is engaging and offers a great introduction for those new to puzzle-solving.”
- “The mechanics are intuitive, making it accessible for beginners while still providing a fun experience.”
- “The game offers a unique blend of challenges that keeps players entertained throughout.”
- “The gameplay is too short, lasting only 1.5 to 2 hours, and it's far too easy. It's definitely not suited for experienced mystery-solvers; it feels more like a starting point for those who have never solved puzzles before.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users report that the game exhibits a significant number of bugs, impacting overall stability and gameplay experience.
- “It's a little too buggy for me.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it hard to enjoy.”
- “I experienced constant lag and glitches that ruined the gameplay.”