Her Story(2015)
Developer: Sam Barlow
Compatible devices: PC/iOS/Android
Searching for video files on a computer is the key to solving the case
This game involves randomly playing videos stored on someone's PC. The content is disparate and initially seems unrelated, but the player soon realizes that they are all related to a certain case. By searching for words that appear in each video, a list of files containing those words will be displayed, allowing players to play new videos. Players must deduce the key words to the case from the fragmentary information shown in the videos and get closer to the truth.
"The innovative idea of turning the everyday activity of searching for search terms into a game is fantastic." (Sayawaka)
Disco Elysium(2019)
developer: ZA/UM
Compatible devices: Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox, PC
Immerse yourself in the vast and pedantic text, with the feeling of reading foreign literature.
The story is about a mentally stressed detective investigating a murder case. Every time he talks to someone, he engages in heated, sometimes humorous, discussions about ethnicity, philosophy, political views, culture, and more, making it feel like a profound piece of foreign literature.
"The amount of text is simply incredible. Whatever you do or say in the game, you'll get a huge response in the form of text. This shows how carefully crafted the game is down to the smallest detail, and how freely players can act. Play as you please and choose the ending you believe in." (Sayawaka)
Bird Lawyer's Case Files (2015)
developer:Sketchy Logic Games
Compatible devices: Switch/PC
A courtroom drama adorned with detailed animal illustrations
This courtroom mystery adventure features captivating pen-and-ink style graphics inspired by the illustrations of caricaturist J.J. Granville. Set in Paris in 1848, where a diverse range of animals live, you play as a lawyer and uncover a major mystery that could lead to a revolution.
"It's a follower of the Ace Attorney series, where you gather clues and take part in trials. It's a cute story aimed at adults, with witty, satirical dialogue adding a touch of humor. The only version available in Japanese is the Nintendo Switch version." (Yamada Shuka)
7 Days to End with You(2022)
Developer: Lizardry
Compatible devices: Switch, PC, iOS, Android
Learning an unknown language reveals a terrifying past
When you wake up, you find a woman beside you. Having lost his memory, the protagonist has no idea who she is, let alone what she is saying. When you speak to her, incomprehensible words are displayed on the game screen. By speaking to her in various ways and watching her reactions, you can try to understand the meaning of the words that appear one by one. What exactly is she trying to tell you? And who exactly am I?
"You can get a taste of what it feels like to learn a foreign language by communicating with them using gestures and language skills." (Sayawaka)
Tangle Tower(2019)
Developer: SFB Games
Compatible devices: Switch, Xbox, PC, iOS, and Android
Is the murder weapon in the painting? Investigate the mysterious case!
Freya Fellows was killed in the middle of painting a portrait. She appears to have been stabbed in the chest, but the murder weapon has never been found. However, mysteriously, the last painting she left behind depicts a person holding a bloody knife, and the red of the knife is actually her own blood. Is it possible for a painting to kill someone? Private detectives Grimoire and Sally take on this mysterious case.
"The comical artwork is also a highlight, and the character animations are lively and charming" (Pear)