The Case of the Serialized Killer
- December 11, 2023
- Alexis Royce
Get on SteamWhen a popular illustrator is found dead, disgraced demonologist Harold Ludicael is hired to summon her ghost. Ghosts are the one thing he can't summon, but with sharp insight, perhaps he can solve the mystery, and resurrect the most important thing: His career. We hope you enjoy our fantasy tale with creeping monsters, summoning magic, and a cast of rich, colorful characters. It has: 20,000…
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Reviews
- The game features gorgeous watercolor art and a charming visual style that enhances the overall experience.
- The story is engaging with interesting characters and a well-conceived murder mystery that keeps players guessing.
- The game offers a unique world with creative elements like imps and demons, adding depth to the narrative and character development.
- Some players found the writing to be amateurish and felt that it detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- The pacing and world-building may feel slow for some, leading to moments of boredom during gameplay.
- There are criticisms regarding the representation of characters, with some feeling it was excessive and detracted from the historical setting.
- story24 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its engaging characters, rich lore, and compelling narrative, particularly within the murder mystery genre. While some players found certain elements, like LGBTQ representation, to be unnecessary, many appreciated the overall storytelling and visual presentation. The conclusion is satisfying, with a strong desire for more content in the future, highlighting the game's potential for further exploration of its intriguing world.
“Love the story, love the characters, and love how much lore and background information there is explained in just one game.”
“This game has a very good storyline with interesting characters.”
“A well-paced murder mystery story with just enough clues that it's possible to guess the killer, a fun cast of engaging and entertaining characters, and some very nice presentation.”
“First, I started skipping unseen text to progress the story, but even so, very soon, I could not continue reading and quit.”
“It often feels like the goal of the writing is to show off the author's literary genius rather than advance the story smoothly.”
“I especially found the beginning to do a poor job of introducing the story and setting.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are praised for their immersive art style and charming visuals, particularly the watercolor elements that enhance world-building. Players appreciate the unique character designs and the overall aesthetic, although some find the character diversity in an Edwardian setting to be jarring. Overall, the artwork is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“Also, the watercolor throughout makes the art really immersive and adds to the charm of the game - the art style very much feels like part of the world building.”
“Loved the art style and adored the character design; the 'so small it looks like earrings' bit made me go :o.”
“The artwork in the game is very nice, and I was glad that, when switching to a new room, you could look around before the characters entered.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is praised for its clever writing and effective character interactions, blending charm with intrigue. Players find the comedic elements both delightful and impactful, with standout moments that evoke laughter while addressing sensitive topics. Overall, the humor adds a significant layer of enjoyment to the murder-mystery experience.
“The writing: a brilliant mix of humor and intrigue. I especially loved how the goose was done; simple but extremely effective. Also, the scene where Harold wants to make a joke but is shot down was a nice touch.”
“A murder-mystery with delightful characters, all of whom are either charming, hilarious, or someone who should be shot into the stratosphere without a spaceship.”
“I really liked the humor; it was charming, you could say.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a natural discovery of information and a helpful mechanic for tracking dialogue options, though some players desire more depth in point-and-click interactions and decision-making. Despite its simplicity, attributed to its original one-month development timeframe, the game offers a satisfying experience enhanced by stunning visuals, engaging characters, and strong writing.
“Information is discovered in a fairly natural way, and there is a mechanic that helps players know when there is no more dialogue to explore with a character.”
“Gorgeous backgrounds (to the point I kept forgetting I was meant to click past them and not just stare awestruck), interesting characters, great writing, and even if the gameplay was on the simpler side (it was originally meant to be made in a month), it was still extremely satisfying to play.”
“I wish there were a bit more in the way of the point-and-click mechanics or the decisions you can make, but this was a solid concept.”
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The controls are clunky and unintuitive, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- character development3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the character development for its depth and the effective use of clues that enhance the gameplay experience. The unique and striking hand-drawn art style complements the characters, making them memorable and engaging. Overall, the combination of strong character design and development contributes positively to the game's narrative.
“There is good character development and sufficient clues to make a correct decision about who the guilty party is.”
“All of the hand-drawn art is gorgeous, and the character designs are very unique and striking.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its engaging and varied style, ranging from bouncy to dark, complementing the intriguing story and characters. The combination of captivating soundtracks and beautiful watercolor art enhances the overall experience, making the roughly three hours of content feel worthwhile.
“Bouncy and occasionally dark music from the master of copyright-free horror and creepypasta, a fun story and interesting characters, a fascinating premise and world, and some lovely watercolor art.”
“The music was good, I liked the art, and the story was also really interesting.”
“Roughly 3 hours of content with a host of endings, music, and extras that make it well worth the time!”
“The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged during longer play sessions.”
“While the game has a unique atmosphere, the soundtrack feels out of place and doesn't enhance the overall experience.”
“The sound design is disappointing; the music often clashes with the gameplay and detracts from the immersion.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game has been noted for its modern vibe, which contrasts with the traditional expectations of an Edwardian mystery setting, leading to mixed feelings about its authenticity.
“The art style beautifully captures the essence of the setting, creating an immersive atmosphere that draws you into the world.”
“The haunting soundtrack perfectly complements the visuals, enhancing the overall atmosphere and making every moment feel significant.”
“The attention to detail in the environment design truly sets the mood, making it feel like you're stepping into a living, breathing mystery.”
“I appreciate the art, but even that gives a very modern vibe and not the atmosphere one expects from an Edwardian mystery.”
