Murder by Numbers
Genres: Puzzle, Mystery, Story Rich
Play modes: singleplayer
Release Date: 6-3-2020
Developer: Mediatonic
Our verdict
7.5/10
- Difficulty: Medium
- Players: 1
- Playtime: 20–25 h
Murder by Numbers mixes a detective visual novel with picross puzzles. In Los Angeles in 1996, TV actress Honor Mizrahi teams up with SCOUT, a memory-wiped robot, to solve murders: you solve nonogram grids to reveal clues, then use those clues to question witnesses and press suspects. It is written by the designer of Hatoful Boyfriend and suits solo players who enjoy both nonograms and Ace Attorney-style stories.
Steam reviews are very positive (about 85% of 1,161). Fans of both genres call it an easy buy, praising the character art, the soundtrack, the colourful 1990s mood and a large, varied set of picross puzzles. SCOUT's bonus memory puzzles add more grids on top of the cases.
The common warning is that it is not a true deduction game: the picross puzzles do not really solve the mystery, and the investigation is light compared to Ace Attorney. Players who want only one half find the other half gets in the way. Expect 20 hours or more. If you love nonograms, buy it; if you want hard detective work, look elsewhere.
Pros
- Large, varied set of picross puzzles tied to each case
- 1990s Hollywood setting with strong character art and music
- Bonus SCOUT memory puzzles add extra grids
Cons
- Picross does little to solve the actual mysteries
- Light investigation for Ace Attorney fans
About
Solve Pixel Puzzles to find clues.
Use those clues to interrogate witnesses.
Work your way to the truth...
...and uncover the mystery of Murder by Numbers!
Los Angeles, 1996. Honor Mizrahi was just an actress on a hit TV detective show. But when her boss ends up dead just minutes after he fires her, she finds herself starring in her own murder mystery. Teaming up with SCOUT, a reconnaissance robot thrown away after a mysterious incident, she sets out to clear her name - and a new detective duo is born!
Investigate a range of murders across TV studios, glitzy award shows, drag clubs, and more - all set to an energetic soundtrack from famed composer Masakazu Sugimori (Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, Ghost Trick and Viewtiful Joe).
Uncover a dark conspiracy by interrogating a wild range of weird and wonderful characters, designed by the incomparable Hato Moa, creator of Hatoful Boyfriend.
90s fashions! Upbeat jams! Sass dialled up to 100! Questionable jokes! Drag queens! All that and more awaits... in Murder by Numbers!
