Murders on the Yangtze River
Genres: Puzzle, Mystery, Story Rich, Adventure
Release Date: 30-1-2024
Developer: OMEGAMES STUDIO
Our verdict
9/10
- Difficulty: Medium
- Players: 1
- Playtime: 15–20 h
Murders on the Yangtze River is a side-scrolling detective game from OMEGAMES STUDIO, openly modelled on Ace Attorney but set in early 20th-century China. You play John Shen, a travelling detective chasing the truth behind his brother's death, across five cases drawn in an ink-wash style. It suits solo players who enjoy courtroom-style deduction and long, story-driven mystery games.
Players rate it Overwhelmingly Positive, with about 97 percent of over a thousand reviews recommending it. You search crime scenes, question suspects and point out contradictions in testimony to name the killer. Reviewers praise how the cases build into one larger plot, the voice acting and soundtrack, and the historical detail about the era and its legal process. Many note that mini-games and varied mechanics inside each case keep the loop from going stale, and that the logic is hard enough to need real thought.
The common complaints are about the edges. The game launches in Chinese, so you have to dig through the settings to switch to English, the translation has grammar slips, and the bonus chapter is not localised. Controller support in mini-games is patchy. For Ace Attorney or Danganronpa fans it is an easy buy at its price.
Pros
- Five cases that tie into one larger revenge plot
- Spot contradictions in testimony, plus mini-games that vary each case
- Ink-wash art and rich detail on early 20th-century China
Cons
- Starts in Chinese; you must find the language setting yourself
- English translation has noticeable grammar slips
- Bonus chapter is Chinese-only and controller support is patchy
About
If you're a fan of "Ace Attorney", you won't want to miss "Murders on Yangtze River", a horizontal axis detective game developed by OMEGames Studio.
The game takes you on a journey through early 20th century China as you solve a series of intriguing cases along the Yangtze River. With its stunning brush painting art style and engaging storyline, it offers a unique gaming experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Use your logical reasoning and deduction skills to uncover clues, interrogate suspects, and solve the mysteries. With challenging puzzles and interesting characters to meet, "Murders on the Yangtze River" will have you hooked from the very beginning.Engaging Stories
Embark on a thrilling journey full of extraordinary cases and plot twists! Players take on the role John Shen, a traveling detective who seeks truth and revenge for his brother’s death. Along his journey, he encounters numerous cases that are full of mystery, drama and suspense.Memorable Characters
The game has many unforgettable characters. John Shen, for instance, is a refined gentleman with a sharp intellect. But as you delve deeper, you discover that he harbors a darker side to his personality. His vivacious assistant, Frankie, is a beacon of positivity who is always eager to use his technological inventions in their investigations.Rigorous Logical Reasoning
Investigate crime scenes, search for evidence, debate with suspects, and identify the murderer using collected clues. Find contradictions within testimonies and unravel the mystery. There are also many challenging puzzles. Get ready for a gripping adventure!Easy Access
The game features an intuitive tutorial that starts off with straightforward controls and simple cases, gradually building up to more challenging scenarios. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the game, it's designed to be easy to pick up and play at any skill level.Pleasant Journey on a Chinese-style Ink Wash Picture Scroll
Journey through a beautiful ink wash landscape painting of China's mountains and rivers from a hundred years ago. Explore picturesque Dongting Lake, Yangzhou and Shanghai. Immerse yourself in local customs in this extraordinary picture scroll.
[Main Story]
John Shen, the protagonist of this story, studied law in London alongside his brother, who was studying biology. One day, Shen's brother was found dead in his dormitory, and the police ruled his death as suicide. But when Shen stumbled upon a newly published detective novel on Shanghai News that depicted a murder scene identical to his brother's death, he began to suspect foul play. Convinced that the amateur writer was somehow involved in his brother's death, Shen returned to China to uncover the truth.
