The Case of the Serialized Killer

About

"The Case of the Serialized Killer" is a point-and-click investigation game with a fantasy twist, featuring a disgraced demonologist trying to solve a popular illustrator's murder to resurrect his career. The game boasts 20,000 words of dialogue, watercolor character and location designs, and a journal to track suspects and lore. With multiple endings based on the chosen suspect, this game offers a unique blend of mystery and the supernatural.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

The Case of the Serialized Killer screenshot

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 76 reviews

story20 positive mentions

The game features gorgeous watercolor art and a charming, diverse cast of characters, enhancing the overall immersive experience.
The storyline is engaging with clever world-building and a well-structured murder mystery that keeps players guessing.
Players appreciate the humor and character dynamics, particularly the interactions between the main duo, which add depth to the narrative.

Some players found the writing to be amateurish and overly reliant on modern language, which detracted from the intended Edwardian atmosphere.
The pacing can feel slow for some, with certain players expressing frustration over the amount of text and the flow of dialogue.
There are criticisms regarding the representation of characters, with some feeling it was excessive and detracted from the historical setting.

story
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
50%
8%
The game's story is praised for its engaging characters, rich lore, and compelling murder mystery elements, with many players expressing a strong emotional connection to the narrative and its world. However, some critiques highlight issues with pacing and the integration of LGBTQ elements, suggesting they feel superfluous or detract from the overall flow. Overall, the visuals and storytelling are well-received, with a desire for more content in the future.
- “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.”
graphics
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game's graphics are praised for their beautiful watercolor art style, which enhances immersion and world-building. Players appreciate the unique and lovable character designs, although some find the representation of diverse characters in an Edwardian setting to be jarring. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's charm and storytelling.
- “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.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is praised for its clever blend of charm and intrigue, with standout moments that elicit genuine laughter, such as unexpected references to black mold and the quirky character dynamics. Reviewers appreciate the effective simplicity of the comedic writing, though some note that certain jokes, like a transgender quip, are humorously curtailed. Overall, the characters contribute to a delightful and engaging comedic atmosphere within the murder-mystery setting.
- “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 transgender joke but is shot down—let him speak, guys…”
- “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.”
- “Okay, I really liked the humor; it was charming, you could say.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
The gameplay is characterized by a natural progression of information discovery and a helpful mechanic for tracking dialogue options, though some players desire more depth in point-and-click mechanics and decision-making. Despite its simpler design, attributed to its short development time, 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.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features strong character development, complemented by unique and striking hand-drawn art and character designs. Players appreciate the depth of the characters and the effective clues that aid in unraveling the mystery. Overall, the artistic style enhances the character experience significantly.
- “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.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game is praised for its bouncy yet occasionally dark tones, effectively complementing the intriguing story and characters. Reviewers appreciate the combination of engaging music with beautiful watercolor art, enhancing the overall experience of the roughly three-hour gameplay filled with multiple endings and extras.
- “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.”
- “Roughly 3 hours of content with a host of endings, music, and extras that make it well worth the time!”
- “The music was good, I liked the art, and the story was also really interesting.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
50%
The atmosphere of the game has been criticized for its modern vibe, which detracts from the expected ambiance of an Edwardian mystery. While the art is appreciated, it fails to evoke the historical setting that players anticipate.
- “The art style is impressive, but it creates a modern vibe that contrasts with the traditional atmosphere expected from an Edwardian mystery.”
- “The atmosphere is captivating, drawing players into a world that feels both immersive and intriguing.”
- “The sound design and visual elements work together beautifully to create a haunting atmosphere that keeps you on edge.”
- “I appreciate the art, but even that gives a very modern vibe and not the atmosphere one expects from an Edwardian mystery.”