The Case of the Golden Idol Review

Making good mystery games is a tricky business. The best ones trust their players by carefully guiding and hinting, but allowing them to reach their own conclusions. Mystery books or films can be brilliantly executed - the big reveals in Knives Out are a great example - but the sense of gratification granted to a player who's managed to reach that "aha!" moment for themselves is unique to gaming. Weaving a narrative that reveals just enough while knowing where to hold back is a fine line to walk, and as long as the game isn't mixing with other genres, it's also the sole thrust of gameplay. Ultimately, the entire experience is determined by the developer's ability to perform this tightrope act.