Inventory Puzzles & Deduction Mechanics

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An adventure game centered around detective work requires more than just traditional inventory puzzles like “combine yellow jacket with homemade fake mustache.” It also needs some form of deduction or information-processing mechanic. Many games solve this through separate systems, such as the deduction mechanics in Frogwares’ Sherlock Holmes titles or notebook systems like those found in the Blackwell series.

We want to take a different approach by directly combining information processing with classic inventory gameplay. In our game, players will not only collect physical objects, but also information. These pieces of

information can then be combined with each other

or used on objects and hotspots within the

environment.

Not only does this create a stronger detective-like

feeling, it also allows us to adapt traditional

inventory mechanics to our more mature setting

without relying on completely absurd puzzle

solutions — like the infamous example

from Gabriel Knight 3 mentioned above.

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Optional Puzzle Solutions & “Jokers”

We also want to include alternative puzzle solutions

that depend on whether players discovered certain

pieces of information earlier in the game — or failed

to do so. Of course, there will be no dead ends or

different story endings. Our goal is simply to add

a sense of dynamism and occasionally reward thorough

investigation.

At the same time, we also want to offer an additional option for players who may not always enjoy extensive searching and experimentation. Certain situations in the game can be solved through the use of “Jokers” in the form of Nyra’s augmentations. For example, instead of searching for a key, players may choose

to force open a cabinet using Nyra’s mechanical arm. However, using these augmentations consumes a limited resource called “Purple,” meaning players will have

to decide carefully when it is worth relying on them.

• Platforms
  PC (Windows), macOS, Linux — planned release on Steam and GOG (alternatively Itch.io)

• Estimated Playtime
  Approximately 6–8 hours, depending on playstyle and puzzle-solving pace

• Scope

   Around 70 hand-painted scenes, created with acrylic paint on paper, wood, and cardboard

• Gameplay

  • Point-and-click adventure featuring inventory puzzles with a twist: players collect not only items, but also information that can be combined within the inventory

  • Branching dialogues

  • Puzzles that can be solved in different ways

  • Interactive environments full of optional details and background stories

  • An optional hint system for players who want to focus more on the story

• Controls
  Fully playable with mouse (point & click) and keyboard support (including hotspot key and additional shortcuts), as well as optional gamepad support

• Story & Structure
  Narrative-driven adventure featuring two protagonists, told across a prologue and four chapters

• Languages / Localization
  Multiple language versions are planned, including at least English and German, with additional localizations depending on the success of the campaign