Duskwood - Detective Story | Game Brain

About

"Duskwood - Detective Story" is a narrative-driven game where you become involved in the case of a missing girl, Hannah, after receiving a mysterious message from her phone. As you investigate, you'll collect evidence, make decisions, and interact with varied media content. The game takes place in the small, secluded village of Duskwood, where locals are growing increasingly worried as strange legends and disappearances become more common.

Genres & Tags

Adventure

Play Modes

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

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 10,000 reviews

story2.4k positive mentions

monetization267 negative mentions

Engaging and captivating storyline that keeps players invested.
Unique interactive elements, such as text messages, video calls, and social media integration, enhance immersion.
Well-developed characters that players can form connections with.

Mini games are often frustratingly difficult and can disrupt the flow of the story.
Progression is heavily reliant on completing mini games, which can lead to boredom and frustration.
Many important features and content are locked behind a paywall, limiting the experience for free players.

story
5,329 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
52%
3%
The story of Duskwood is widely praised for its captivating and immersive narrative, featuring well-developed characters and engaging plot twists that keep players invested. However, many reviewers express frustration with the frequent mini-games required to progress, often comparing them to Candy Crush and noting that they can be overly difficult and time-consuming, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these challenges, the compelling storyline and character interactions are highlighted as the game's strongest aspects, making it a unique entry in the interactive storytelling genre.
- “The story is so compelling and one gets fully sucked in by it.”
- “The story is captivating and does a wonderful job at including you into it.”
- “The story is very compelling and I was extremely attached to the characters by the end.”
- “However, being forced to play the jewel games even if you pay money for the extra features to continue the storyline is ridiculous.”
- “The mini games drag the story but it is an understandable way to get money and the ads are not intrusive.”
- “The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars is the mini games you have to complete in between in order to continue the story.”
monetization
352 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
12%
76%
The monetization model of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over the reliance on in-app purchases and the frequency of ads, particularly after mini-games. While some appreciate the absence of intrusive ads and the option to pay for additional content, others feel that the game is a "cash grab" due to the difficulty of puzzles and the lack of alternative ways to earn in-game currency, such as watching ads. Overall, players desire more flexibility in monetization, such as the ability to watch ads for rewards instead of being forced to make purchases.
- “I recommend getting the in-app purchase to unlock the extra content - it's a good deal, and makes the game feel even more immersive.”
- “No ads, excellent story, engaging & enough mini games to keep you interested, but not unnecessarily hard or long.”
- “This game is super well made, and I love that there's no ads.”
- “I spent a lot of money on credits for this game because the match-3 part is ludicrously difficult, a transparent cash grab.”
- “The constant ads and being told I needed more credits were ridiculous.”
- “This game is a cash grab in the form of mini-game 3 in line.”
gameplay
282 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
56%
6%
The gameplay of the game is generally praised for its immersive storytelling and engaging character interactions, creating a strong sense of involvement for players. However, many users express frustration with the frequent and often challenging mini-games, which they feel detract from the overall experience and slow down the progression of the story. While the core gameplay mechanics are appreciated, the reliance on luck-based mini-games and the associated paywalls have led to mixed reviews, with some players feeling that these elements undermine the game's potential.
- “The gameplay and the story of this game are brilliant; I love the interactions and the choices you make.”
- “Incredible story and immersive gameplay.”
- “I absolutely adore how immersive the gameplay is, how complex the lore, and how compelling the characters are.”
- “Honestly, I'd rather watch ads than play a bunch of progressively harder mini-games just to get 5 minutes of actual gameplay in between.”
- “The worst part is: I have to play 3 incredibly difficult mini-games just for 2 minutes of actual gameplay.”
- “It's sad that they had to ruin a perfectly nice and original game with these completely uninspiring candy-crush 'mini-games', which you end up spending 70% of the gameplay on.”
graphics
203 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
32%
1%
The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim for their realism and attention to detail, enhancing the immersive experience of the storyline. Players frequently mention that the visuals, including video calls and character interactions, make them feel as if they are part of the narrative. Overall, the graphics are described as stunning, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and engagement.
- “In my opinion, the Everbyte developers did an amazing job making this and definitely paid attention to detail and graphics!”
- “The graphics are amazing, the story is very interesting and filled with mysteries.”
- “The graphics, storyline, plot twists, and characters are superbly done.”
- “I was actually very disappointed with this game as the visuals on the Play Store were very promising, but when I downloaded the game, it turned out to be a game totally based on calls and messaging.”
- “The graphics are so so but fit their purpose.”
- “I liked the game, but if you don't like the Candy Crush game, then you should not download it as the mini games, which are needed to proceed in the story, are a low graphic version of Candy Crush.”
grinding
119 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the mandatory mini-games that players must complete to progress the storyline. While some users find the story engaging enough to endure the grinding, many express frustration with the time-consuming nature of the mini-games, which often feel like a barrier to enjoying the narrative. Overall, the balance between gameplay and story progression is seen as a significant issue, with many players wishing for a more streamlined experience.
- “The mini game isn't tedious and it didn't put me off like it would in other games.”
- “I love all the characters, the story is enticing and even the mini games aren't tedious enough to annoy me.”
- “The mini games are tedious, the chats are slow and often repetitive.”
- “The storyline is good - but the majority of the game consists of: *photo* - 2 minigames - *conversation* - 4 minigames.. this is quite tedious & costs money as the games get more difficult.”
- “Game would be a lot better if it weren't for a tedious candy crush knockoff constantly gating access to the next piece of the story.”
emotional
119 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
Players overwhelmingly express that the game elicits strong emotional responses, with many feeling deeply connected to the characters and invested in their stories. The narrative's twists and heartfelt moments often lead to tears, laughter, and a sense of real friendship, making it a standout experience in emotional storytelling. Despite some frustrations with gameplay mechanics, the emotional journey is frequently described as a rollercoaster that leaves a lasting impact.
- “The story is beautiful; at some point, it made me shed a tear, especially the end... I really did not expect it.”
- “I'm crying right now; the latest episode was such an emotional rollercoaster, and the ending absolutely broke me.”
- “They made the story emotional; you connect to every single one of the characters, and you feel like you're there.”
- “This has to be the most dull, boring story I've ever read as the characters and plot are terrible.”
- “Boring storyline, unnecessary stalling and beating around the bush.”
- “Boring storytelling.”
stability
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
2%
91%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting frequent glitches and freezing issues, particularly during mini-games and after updates. While some players enjoy the storyline and graphics, they often encounter problems such as loss of progress, unresponsive screens, and crashes that hinder gameplay. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a significant concern for many users, impacting their overall experience.
- “No glitches, no crashing, no in-game ads.”
- “Runs great, really, really enjoyable.”
- “No glitches, exciting game omg!!!”
- “This is a great game... however in chapter 5 the video call with Richy freezes every time.”
- “I downloaded and started but every time a mini game starts the whole game freezes and I have to restart the game and I lose hearts.”
- “I love this game but I can't get past the loading screen now, it freezes and closes after about 10 seconds.”
humor
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
8%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its blend of funny, engaging characters and witty dialogue that elicits genuine laughter. Many reviews note the effective mix of humor with suspense and mystery, creating an entertaining experience that keeps players invested. While some moments may feel repetitive or annoying, the overall consensus is that the humor significantly enhances the gameplay, making it enjoyable for a broad audience.
- “The characters are all so loveable and they made me laugh several times!”
- “The devs and writers found the perfect blend of thrills, humor, and mystery.”
- “I love the pictures, videos, calling and chatting, interacting with choosing responses that are hilarious!!!!!”
- “The humor in this game falls flat and often feels forced, making it hard to enjoy the experience.”
- “I expected a lot more laughs, but the jokes are stale and don't land well.”
- “The attempts at humor are cringeworthy and detract from the overall gameplay.”
character development
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
73%
19%
8%
Overall, the character development in the game is highly praised, with many reviewers highlighting its depth and the emotional engagement it fosters. Players appreciate the intricate storytelling and how their choices impact character relationships, making the experience feel immersive and personal. Despite some criticism regarding mini-games and monetization, the consensus is that the character development is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “Honestly, it was a really great story, and great character development.”
- “The storyline is amazing and character development is the chef's kiss.”
- “I loved it; the world is very immersive, and the character development is outstanding.”
- “A character development/relationship I've been developing since the beginning has been ruined.”
- “If the people who made this game spent less time on match three mechanics to ensure you pay for the microtransactions and instead spent that time on character development, storytelling, and actual puzzles, this could've been worth spending money on.”
- “This game narratively falls nothing short of simulacra or Sara is missing and even beats these games in other areas like character development.”
atmosphere
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
40%
10%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and unsettling qualities, effectively enhancing the story and character interactions. Many players appreciate the use of multimedia elements, such as videos and phone calls, which contribute to the game's mysterious and intense ambiance. However, some reviewers note that interruptions from mini-games and forced advertisements detract from the overall experience, disrupting the flow and immersion.
- “The atmosphere was amazing, the characters interesting, and the story and twists surprising!”
- “The atmosphere of the game is very unsettling at times, which is perfect because that kind of feeling works well with the game.”
- “The use of multimedia; text, phone calls, videos, etc. really add to the atmosphere, and the story is nicely paced, building slowly and drawing you in.”
- “The story, the setting, and the characters all appear to be very 'American', maybe that was just an assumption, but the actors all have what I believe is a European accent, which kind of takes away from the atmosphere of the game.”
- “More time is spent playing these than the actual game, which kind of ruins the atmosphere and flow.”
- “Every short story requires you to play a mini-game, which makes you lose the atmosphere of that story.”
music
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
64%
14%
The music in the game is consistently praised for its quality and emotional impact, enhancing the overall experience and immersion for players. Many reviewers highlight the well-placed soundtracks and theme music, which contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere and storytelling. Despite some technical issues, the music remains a standout feature that resonates deeply with players, making it a memorable aspect of the game.
- “The effects, graphics, music, and the plot added another layer of experience in the game.”
- “I get excited when I hear the opening music.”
- “The characters, music, story, and atmosphere of the game were great, and I love everything.”
- “I've spent a lot of money playing all 8 episodes only to get here and I can't even get the saved game to load. It only loops the screen and music, and I've sat like this for hours over the course of 3 going on 4 days... it's ridiculous.”
- “Everything is so good—graphics, music—but the difficult puzzles ruined everything.”
- “Having issues loading the saved game. I had to re-download because it wasn't going to the game after I hit play. I waited two hours on the screen, and it was playing the music but wouldn't load into the game.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Users express mixed feelings about the game's replayability, noting that while the story and characters are engaging, the repetitive mini-games and lack of multiple save options detract from the desire to replay. Suggestions for improvement include offline mini-game access and the ability to experience the game from different character perspectives. Overall, there is potential for replayability, but current limitations may hinder the experience.
- “I would love if you inserted the ability to have more than one save in the game for the sake of replayability.”
- “I feel like there might be some replay value as a different gender as well.”
- “I hope this app is replayable after the last chapter is finished so I can go back through it and play it all at once so I won't forget the whole story and choices I made.”
- “Knowing I have to suffer through the mini-games again turns me off the idea of ever replaying it after it's over, which sucks because I think it would offer a lot of replayability.”
- “I would love if you included the ability to have more than one save in the game for the sake of replayability.”
- “The actors are great as well as the story; I would suggest making it have easier replay value.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance and impressive graphics, making it one of the best mobile experiences. While there are occasional minor lags, they do not significantly detract from the gameplay.
- “The game runs smoothly for the most part, with occasional lag here and there, which is no big deal.”
- “Runs smoothly, easy to follow, fab graphics, and very realistic.”
- “Best mobile game ever, really well thought out and optimized for mobiles.”