Murders on the Yangtze River

About Murders on the Yangtze River

Murders on the Yangtze River is a single player role playing game with mystery and historical themes. It was developed by OMEGAMES STUDIO and was released on January 30, 2024. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Murders on Yangtze River is an Ace Attorney-like detective game that takes you on a journey through early 20th-century China as you solve a series of intriguing cases. Use your logical reasoning and deduction skills to uncover clues, interrogate suspects, and solve the mysteries. Use your logical reasoning and deduction skills to uncover clues, interrogate suspects, and solve the mysteries. With c…

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Reviews

97%Audience ScoreBased on 1,149 reviews

story257 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

Engaging and well-crafted overarching story with interwoven cases and satisfying conclusion
Unique historical setting of early 20th century China with well-researched cultural and forensic details
Varied and challenging mysteries and gameplay mechanics inspired by Ace Attorney series
Beautiful art style featuring traditional Chinese aesthetics and detailed backgrounds
Excellent voice acting with bilingual performances adding authenticity and immersion
Helpful hint system to assist players without spoiling solutions
Educational elements providing historical and scientific facts relevant to the game's setting

Initial language defaulting to Chinese requiring manual change to English can be confusing
English translation contains grammatical errors and occasionally awkward phrasing affecting clarity
Some voice acting (especially English lines) can feel forced or inconsistent with use of AI-generated voices
Certain puzzles involve leaps in logic or trial and error that may frustrate some players
A few gameplay mechanics are introduced only once and not reused, limiting depth
Art style inconsistency between chibi exploration sprites and detailed character portraits
Pacing issues in some chapters where investigation sections may feel linear or rushed endings

story
546 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47% positive mentions, 52% neutral mentions, 1% negative mentions
The story is widely praised for its compelling, well-paced murder mysteries that interconnect into a strong overarching plot set against the richly detailed historical backdrop of early 20th century China. Players appreciate the emotional depth of characters, surprising twists, and educational elements seamlessly woven into an engrossing detective narrative. Despite some minor translation and pacing issues, the story stands out as a thoughtful, immersive experience that skillfully balances intrigue, historical context, and character development.
- “This is a beautifully made murder mystery, with storytelling full of turns, twists, and suspense to the very end.”
- “Each of the interconnected cases is self-contained yet clearly builds toward the emotional core of the story.”
- “The overarching story was amazingly executed; each case served a purpose and pushed the plot along while slowly ramping up difficulty.”
- “The English translation has issues that make the plot seem hammy and the characters flat; some cases are obsessed with convoluted 'howdunits' where it might have been better to focus on 'whydunits.' There's also a truly miserable QTE partway through (you'll know it when you reach it).”
- “Unfortunately, the narrative falls apart when some real historical events are heavily involved in the story progression (such as the inventors of cocaine or events related to Qing dynasty opium abuse), and it all gets mixed in a bad way that destroys immersion because the broader historical context is deviated from.”
- “Character names change randomly from basic English names to their best translated Chinese names throughout the story, making it often difficult to keep track of which characters are being referred to.”
gameplay
210 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29% positive mentions, 70% neutral mentions, 1% negative mentions
The gameplay of this detective game is highly praised for its engaging, varied mechanics that blend deductive reasoning, puzzle-solving, and courtroom-style investigation reminiscent of the Ace Attorney series while introducing unique elements each chapter to keep the experience fresh. Though some mechanics are one-off and occasionally feel underused or loosely introduced, the overall gameplay is intuitive, well-paced, and complemented by rich historical context, making it immersive and satisfying for mystery-solving fans. Minor translation issues and occasional pacing roughness do not significantly impact the solid, enjoyable gameplay loop.
- “The core gameplay mechanic relies on testing your deductive reasoning to solve crimes, with some variety of puzzles sprinkled in such as lock picking or finding hidden objects.”
- “The gameplay is kept fresh through mini-games and variations on both detection and deduction methods, as well as being able to play more than one character.”
- “The deduction mechanics also evolve as you progress, keeping things fresh and making it hard to put the game down before cracking the case.”
- “The mechanics are half-baked, introduced and not used again.”
- “Mechanics being introduced only to never be seen again, and the game never comes together as well as it could.”
- “On the mechanical side, the game feels very inconsistent with how it handles whether evidence is saved or whether you just have to commit it to memory.”
music
150 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61% positive mentions, 37% neutral mentions, 2% negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful, atmospheric quality that skillfully blends traditional Chinese instruments with inspirations from the Ace Attorney series, enhancing the emotional and dramatic moments throughout. The soundtrack is considered charming, fitting perfectly with the game's historical setting and narrative, often cited as a standout element that elevates the overall experience. Some note occasional repetitiveness in loops during lengthy puzzle-solving, but the music remains a memorable and integral part of the game's immersive appeal.
- “The music strikes a perfect note between tense drama and scenic reflection, elevating every courtroom moment into a cinematic experience.”
- “The music is incredible (enough so that I'm jamming out to 'The Final Battle Begins' as I write this), the characters are so charming that I couldn't help but be emotionally dragged into every story.”
- “Every part of this game is a masterpiece; the gameplay is challenging and fun, the cases are intriguing, the characters are charming with so much depth, the music is great, the art is gorgeous in both the sprite work and in cutscenes, and the emotional impact of the final case had me thinking about it for days on end.”
- “Nothing really gets enough actual development to earn the emotions they try to force on you with sappy music, and I wish they would have just stuck to the mysteries.”
- “The music interrupts the mood often and transitions go up and down like a jackhammer.”
- “Music is fine but for this type of game you can oftentimes get stuck in a scene trying to solve a hard mystery, which can make a music loop super repetitive.”
graphics
143 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54% positive mentions, 44% neutral mentions, 2% negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a distinctive blend of traditional Chinese ink-wash and watercolor aesthetics alongside anime-inspired character portraits, creating a visually rich and culturally immersive experience. While the art style is praised for its beauty, detailed environments, and historic authenticity, some find the chibi-style character models and inconsistent art across different scenes somewhat jarring. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong, integral part of the game's atmosphere, effectively complementing its narrative and setting.
- “The artwork and the overarching story capture the nostalgic and at the same time uncertain period of China emerging into the current era and its interaction with the outside world.”
- “On top of the phenomenal writing and pacing, the traditional Chinese watercolor art style is top-tier and gives the entire experience a beautiful, distinct atmosphere.”
- “The game's beautiful and stylized art style makes for memorable landscapes, settings and characters alike.”
- “Couple that with a very misleading art style, it might initially convince you that this game was constructed with little effort or care.”
- “Not because there are several art styles, but because the portrait art doesn't feel consistent, with some characters being super simple, others being highly detailed and rendered in comparison.”
- “While the art style is a bit all over the place (I love the background but the character models are lacking), the rest of the game is fantastic.”
emotional
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions
The game delivers a deeply emotional and heartfelt narrative with compelling, well-developed characters and culturally rich storylines that resonate strongly with players. Its blend of meaningful themes, historical depth, and emotional stakes creates an engaging experience that can evoke laughter, tears, and reflection. While some issues such as translation inconsistencies and pacing occasionally detract from the impact, the overall emotional journey remains powerful and memorable.
- “The music is incredible (enough so that I'm jamming out to 'The Final Battle Begins' as I write this), the characters are so charming that I couldn't help but be emotionally dragged into every story (Case 4's motive nearly had me in tears), and this even extends to the dialogue that doesn't necessarily move the case along.”
- “The stories in every case were very meaningful — some made me cry, some made me reflect about life.”
- “Every part of this game is a masterpiece; the gameplay is challenging and fun, the cases are intriguing, the characters are charming with so much depth, the music is great, the art is gorgeous in both the sprite work and in cutscenes, and the emotional impact of the final case had me thinking about it for days on end.”
humor
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions
The game's humor is characterized by a cast of memorable, charismatic characters and witty, often British-flavored dialogue that provides levity amid a generally darker, more serious story. While not as overtly comedic or silly as the Ace Attorney series it draws inspiration from, humor appears in clever hidden tasks, amusing wrong-answer responses, and lively character interactions, enhancing the overall experience without overshadowing the complex mysteries.
- “Similar to Ace Attorney, the cast is likeable and includes a variety of memorable, humorous, and eccentric characters.”
- “John Shen's relatively serious demeanor is balanced by his assistant Frankie, whose enthusiasm and interest in technology bring energy and humor to otherwise grim situations.”
- “Other than that I enjoyed my experience with this game, the cases are interesting, the mechanics are engaging, and there are so many funny moments if you choose the wrong answer.”
atmosphere
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65% positive mentions, 35% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions
The game excels at creating a rich, immersive atmosphere through its traditional Chinese watercolor art style, atmospheric soundtrack, and well-crafted historical setting in early 20th-century China. Combined with expressive voice acting, thoughtful writing, and engaging characters, the atmosphere deeply enhances the detective narrative, making the history and mysteries feel vivid and captivating. Overall, players find the ambiance a standout element that beautifully complements the gameplay and storytelling.
- “On top of the phenomenal writing and pacing, the traditional Chinese watercolor art style is top-tier and gives the entire experience a beautiful, distinct atmosphere.”
- “The game is brimming with atmosphere, and the developers really make China magical.”
- “The scenery, characters, facts tab (which is super cool), the very well made voice over with the switching languages and accents, and the overall atmosphere all work together to immerse you into the game's time period.”
character development
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38% positive mentions, 43% neutral mentions, 19% negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally praised for making characters feel real and vibrant, enhancing story immersion. However, some note that a focus on puzzles leads to less depth compared to similar titles, with mixed opinions on the use of chibi-style models during exploration versus detailed character art in dialogues. Overall, character design and expressiveness receive strong appreciation.
- “The character development is outstanding—each character feels real and vibrant, making the story even more immersive.”
- “What feels like drawn out fluff and dialogue from a surface level is really character development that, when removed, causes Ace Attorney to lose part of its charm.”
- “The story itself is very captivating, the character designs and art is gorgeous, I absolutely adore how you can dress the main characters in different outfits too!”
- “Great game, the only thing making it less exceptional than an Ace Attorney game is, to me, the character design.”
- “I was less keen on the investigation sections, which are handled using side-scrolling mechanics and feature cute chibi character designs instead of the detailed ones throughout the rest of the game.”
- “However, it is worth mentioning that this brevity and focus on logic comes with a cost: character development.”
optimization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43% positive mentions, 43% neutral mentions, 14% negative mentions
The game's optimization ensures stable performance across platforms, including SteamOS and the Steam Deck, though the handheld experience is not fully seamless. Initial language settings may cause minor confusion, but the overall playability is improved compared to similar titles. Additionally, the well-executed voice acting enhances the experience without impacting performance.
- “It is therefore functional on the Deck, but the experience is less seamless than a fully optimized handheld release.”
- “Compared to the Great Ace Attorney series, it optimized something based on playability.”
- “Performance with the default graphics configuration is considered suitable, and the game can run successfully on SteamOS.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
0% positive mentions, 33% neutral mentions, 67% negative mentions
Grinding in the game is noted to be tedious and somewhat disconnected from the main story, requiring significant effort that may disrupt pacing. Players looking for a smooth progression without repetitive tasks might find the grinding aspect frustrating.
- “I tried with Google Lens machine translation, but it doesn't seem to be tied to the main story, so I didn't worry about it too much since my method was tedious.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”

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Play Times

16h Median play time

13h Average play time

6-20h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Murders on the Yangtze River is a role playing game with mystery and historical themes. Common tags for Murders on the Yangtze River include first-person, indie, exploration, 2d, detective and others.

Murders on the Yangtze River is available on PC, Mac OS and Windows.

On average players spend around 13 hours playing Murders on the Yangtze River.

Murders on the Yangtze River was released on January 30, 2024.

Murders on the Yangtze River was developed by OMEGAMES STUDIO.

Murders on the Yangtze River has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked Murders on the Yangtze River for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Murders on the Yangtze River is a single player game.

Similar games include Tyrion Cuthbert: Attorney of the Arcane, Tangle Tower, The Rise of the Golden Idol, Detective Di: The Silk Rose Murders, The Case of the Golden Idol and others.

Murders on the Yangtze River

Platforms

Games Like Murders on the Yangtze River

Tyrion Cuthbert: Attorney of the Arcane

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Detective Di: The Silk Rose Murders

The Case of the Golden Idol

Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved

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Lacuna

The Incident at Galley House

Trials of Innocence

Reviews

story

gameplay

music

graphics

emotional

humor

atmosphere

character development

optimization

grinding

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