Riley & Rochelle

About

Riley & Rochelle is a single player puzzle game with a mystery theme. It was developed by Owlskip Games and was released on October 18, 2022. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Riley & Rochelle" is a narrative puzzle game that explores the lives of two musicians from different backgrounds who find fame and love in the 90s. Through journals, music, and real events, players uncover their story and make decisions about what makes art authentic, the cost of creation, and who gets to make art. The game is a nostalgic journey through 90s pop culture and counterculture.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 38 reviews

music25 positive mentions

stability1 negative mentions

The game features an outstanding soundtrack with original songs that feel authentic and enhance the overall experience.
The writing, voice acting, and character development are engaging, making players care about the protagonists and their stories.
The puzzles are cleverly designed, providing a satisfying challenge without being overly frustrating, and the game encourages exploration and deduction.

Some players found the characters unlikable and felt disconnected from their stories, which affected their overall investment in the game.
The gameplay can become repetitive, particularly with the focus on deducing dates, which some players found tedious over time.
There are technical issues, such as slow audio clips and a lack of features like an internal note-taking system, which can hinder the experience.

music
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
43%
6%
The music in "Riley & Rochelle" is widely praised for its authenticity and quality, featuring a diverse soundtrack of original songs that enhance the game's immersive storytelling. Players appreciate the heartfelt writing and professional voice acting, which complement the engaging narrative centered around the lives of two 90s musicians. However, some users found the constant sound effects distracting when trying to focus on the music, but overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that elevates the gaming experience.
- “The songs are excellent and feel so authentic, really incredible.”
- “Brilliant soundtrack and a wonderfully told story.”
- “But, the music is the true standout here and what really sets it apart from the rest; a diverse set of tracks ranging from Elliot Smith style confessional pieces to early 90s Celine Dion pop balladry all the way through Portishead, Radiohead, and other indie tonebenders.”
- “The fact you couldn't turn off the incessant clicking/bumping when hovering over an item or clicking a button, especially when music was playing, was extremely frustrating.”
- “Maybe this is just me, but I have a hard time concentrating on large amounts of information while also paying attention to the lyrics of the music I'm listening to.”
- “Another mistake: the developers expect you to immerse yourself in the world of Riley & Rochelle by listening to the in-game music while you play.”
story
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
33%
10%
The game's story is a blend of engaging and immersive elements, featuring a mix of humor and emotional depth as it follows the relationship and careers of two musicians in the 90s. While some players found the characters unlikable or the pacing slow, many praised the well-written narrative, the incorporation of real-life events, and the interactive puzzles that enhance the storytelling experience. Overall, it is recognized as a strong narrative-driven game with a captivating soundtrack and a satisfying deduction mechanic.
- “It was a fun and engaging story with multiple endings to see.”
- “Lovely game with an evocative story told through music and in-universe documents.”
- “The way real-life historical events were incorporated as clues was really nicely done and it was so satisfying how dates from earlier chapters related to puzzles in the later chapters; it made the story feel even more real.”
- “The gameplay was fun, but the characters just weren't likable and I didn't feel invested in their story.”
- “The story focuses on their relationship and career and can be funny just as readily as it is heartbreaking.”
- “Normally I don't play detective-like games, but this one kept me engaged throughout its entire story.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartfelt writing, professional voice acting, and beautiful art, creating a captivating experience. Players find the story both funny and touching, with a focus on relationships and personal growth, culminating in a heartwarming true ending that deeply invests them in the characters. The inclusion of masterfully crafted music further enhances the emotional depth of the narrative.
- “I mean, beyond the excellent puzzle design, there's heartfelt writing, professional voice acting, beautiful art, and captivating original music.”
- “The true ending was heartwarming and I was invested in the main characters.”
- “The story focuses on their relationship and career and can be funny just as readily as it is heartbreaking.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
The gameplay is generally enjoyable, with strong mechanics and engaging storytelling, particularly in Tim Sheinman's musical detective games. However, some players feel a lack of investment in the characters, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite this, the combination of fun gameplay, humor, and outstanding music is often highlighted as a key strength.
- “Of the collection of great musical detective games by Tim Sheinman, 'Riley and Rochelle' is probably the most confident in its storytelling and mechanics.”
- “I always enjoy the gameplay of Tim Sheinman's music culture detective games!”
- “The mechanics of the actual gameplay are fantastic, the writing is gripping and hilarious at times, and the music is truly outstanding.”
graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The graphics are widely praised for their stunning, hand-drawn art style that resembles graphic-novel artwork, creating an immersive and warm environment filled with nostalgic elements. Reviewers highlight the beautiful visuals as a key aspect of the game's appeal, complementing the high-quality soundtrack and engaging voice acting. Overall, the combination of detailed graphics and thoughtful design enhances the player's experience significantly.
- “The soundtrack is a banger, the voice acting is top-notch, and the visuals are stunning.”
- “The interface is easy to use, and along with the carefully crafted soundtrack, there are beautiful hand-drawn graphics.”
- “From the detailed, graphic-novel style artwork to the soundtrack itself (which is there to pastiche the styles of songs of the time, but which is also great quality in its own right), as the player, you are surrounded in a warm environment by books, vinyl singles, letters, notes, phone messages, and interviews from the time.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is highlighted by its funny and touching story, relatable characters, and excellent writing that balances kindness with wit. Players appreciate the engaging voice acting and beautiful art style, which enhance the overall comedic experience. The blend of humor and heartfelt moments creates a compelling narrative that resonates with players.
- “The story is funny and touching, the voice acting is great, and the art style is beautiful.”
- “The writing is gripping and hilarious at times, and the music is truly outstanding.”
- “The characters feel real, have relatable struggles, and are written with a great mix of kindness and humor.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users noting its immersive quality, particularly enhanced by the background music that complements the visual clues. Many find the atmospheric elements to be a standout feature, contributing significantly to the overall experience, especially given the low price point.
- “I've been trying to figure out why this and your other incredible, atmospheric deduction puzzlers are only $0.99 (and some are even free on itch.io).”
- “I recommend putting on the music in the background while searching for visual clues, as it adds to the whole atmosphere.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game experiences some stability issues, including minor typos and glitches during scene transitions, but these do not significantly detract from the overall experience, which is praised for its engaging story and character development.
- “It has its issues in the form of a few typos and glitches when it comes to scene swapping, but overall this is an excellent deduction game with a story that has you feel for the characters while causing you to wonder what comes next.”