The Case of the Golden Idol is an in-development detective game that sees the player piece together the clues behind a series of puzzling deaths spanning across the 18th century, all influenced by the titular Golden Idol as it insidiously passes from hand to hand.

The demo of the game consists of four playable maps, which has you survey a ghastly scene, collect clues, and piece together the correct keywords, via drag and drop, to solve the scene.

Whilst best described as a point-and-click, it actually has its own unique spin to the genre. There’s no ‘gigantic floating arrow’ looming above to help you navigate, nor any inventory-based puzzles ala ‘Resident Evil’ to solve. If anything, the chapter-based vignettes, picture-in-picture pixel art, and keyword deduction are more reminiscent of 80s dialogue-driven games.

The plus side is that ‘The Case of the Golden Idol’ has no game over, death, or fail screen. If you get the order of the clues wrong, a buzzer goes off and you keep going, rethinking your attempt and going through the world once more, until you piece it all together correctly and solve the crime and reveal the truth!

‘The Case of the Golden Idol’ is designed and aimed at players who enjoy solving mysteries at their own pace: no timers, no failed QuickTime events, or storyline-based restrictions. This rewarding, yet somewhat vintage adaptation to the game presents more of a rewarding sensation when solving the crimes.

The artwork has a wonderfully retro vibe to it, influenced by late 80s / early 90s-pixel art with various slight movements of freaky and confronting-looking characters, complemented with nostalgic drawn and coloured backdrops.

Of the four available maps, ‘The Murder at the Little Mermaid’ level had me puzzled for hours on end! Littered with multiple rooms, various suspects, and a cavalcade of clues, it’s both an excellent case and a pure showcase of what the game can, and has, to offer.

I eagerly await the future release of this intriguing video game title!

Written by: Brutaleo