Little Locked Rooms
- June 5, 2024
- riolucci
Get on SteamLittle Locked Rooms is a short mystery game where players investigate tiny crime scene models to solve impossible disappearances and murders. With carefully crafted puzzles of varying difficulty, players must use their deductive skills to uncover the truth behind the criminals' clever tricks. The game offers about 2-3 hours of gameplay, complete with animated sequences and a hint system to assist when needed.
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features charming visuals and music, creating a cozy atmosphere that enhances the puzzle-solving experience.
- The mysteries are well-structured with solid logic, allowing players to feel rewarded for their deductions without encountering illogical solutions.
- The character dynamics and dialogue add a fun layer to the gameplay, making it enjoyable to engage with the characters despite the game's short length.
- The game is quite short, leaving players wanting more content and additional puzzles to solve.
- Some puzzles can feel restrictive, as players may have the correct reasoning but struggle to provide the exact answers the game requires.
- The sibling bickering can become tiresome, and the lack of deeper character development limits emotional engagement with the story.
- music18 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its lighthearted and cozy vibe, enhancing the overall experience while solving puzzles. Players appreciate the upbeat soundtrack that complements the charming visuals and character interactions, although some express a desire for more variety to match different environments. Overall, the music contributes to a relaxing atmosphere, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The characters are lovely and the dialog between them plus the music sets a nice mood while you go through each puzzle.”
“I loved the characters' personalities and interactions, and the chill, upbeat soundtrack made it a cozy experience.”
“The music is lighthearted and comfy, although I would have liked more relevant variety (the castle feels dark/moody, the snow cabin feels empty/outdoorsy).”
“The soundtrack makes it relaxing and not stressful like other games in the genre.”
- story16 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game features minimal storytelling, primarily serving as a backdrop for the locked room puzzles, with narratives often revealed only after solving the cases. While it adapts classic mystery elements, such as those from John Dickson Carr and Agatha Christie, the faceless characters and brief format limit deeper engagement with the story. However, players appreciate the charming premise involving two detective kids and see potential for future expansions.
“The theater case in particular resembles the plot of a well-known Agatha Christie novel, albeit with a change of setting, and 'The Shadow of the Goat' is explicitly an adaptation of a John Dickson Carr short story.”
“While it's not too long, for the price there's a ton of content here, as well as a charmingly delivered story about two detective kids, set in these mysteries by their dad.”
“Any story the locked rooms have either get explained after solving or are just set dressing for the room to exist at all.”
“While the gameplay does a good job adapting mystery novel investigations into a puzzle game-like format, it also comes at the expense of the storytelling, as every case is expressed through narration with faceless and nameless characters.”
“But my issue came in the fact that only after the case is solved and, in the credits, do you find out that this is based on a short story by John Dickson Carr, a master of locked room mysteries.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by simple mechanics, charming characters, and engaging puzzles that effectively adapt mystery novel investigations into a puzzle format. While the game excels in guiding players through its mechanics, some reviewers noted that the storytelling suffers due to the use of faceless and nameless characters, leading to occasional confusion in the narrative. Overall, the gameplay loop is enjoyable, with a desire for more traditional puzzle elements in potential sequels.
“I had a great time with this game. I was confused many times, but the way the game guides you and how everything pieces together is beautiful. I have zero negative comments, as anything I would have viewed as a negative was appropriately compensated by the mechanics available.”
“Simple mechanics, likable characters, and interesting puzzles.”
“It had a few points where the mystery didn't make perfect sense to me, but overall, it had some of the best-implemented mystery game mechanics I've tried, and the presentation of the little dioramas is super charming.”
“The characters are cute and have an interesting dynamic, but the gameplay loop is poorly structured.”
“If a sequel were to be developed, I would love to be able to search the dioramas and have it work like a traditional puzzle game, rather than the current gameplay loop.”
“I was often confused while playing this game, and the gameplay mechanics did not adequately compensate for that confusion.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their adorable art style, which enhances the overall experience of the game. Users appreciate the combination of charming visuals and music, although they note that the puzzles present a significant challenge.
“First and foremost, I love the art style.”
“Visuals and music are adorable, but the puzzles are real challenges.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game is criticized for its lack of replayability, primarily due to its short length and limited content. However, its format suggests potential for future expansions with additional levels and storylines. Overall, it may not be a worthwhile investment for those seeking a game with high replay value.
“I can't recommend the game if you're short on money, since it's got basically no replayability outside of getting to see all the ways the dad can tell you you're wrong.”
“It may be too short of a game and not really replayable, but the format makes it easy to add more levels and story in the future.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers found the emotional engagement lacking, noting that the repetitive bickering between siblings became tiresome. They suggested that a more immersive experience, where players could embody the characters rather than merely observe, would enhance emotional involvement.
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by a thought-provoking soundtrack, which contributes to an engaging experience. However, players note that the overall length can feel short if puzzles are solved quickly.
“The soundtrack was good enough for creating a thought-provoking atmosphere.”
