- New title from Duck Detective series developer Happy Broccoli Games, scheduled for Steam release in 2026
- Poisoned birthday cake, the whole family are suspects … An interactive mystery thriller featuring a twist narrative
Grandma’s 84th birthday party. It is a peaceful celebration with the whole family gathered together, but someone poisoned the cake. The player must find the culprit before the tea gets cold.
Apple Crumble, an interactive mystery thriller currently under development by German indie studio Happy Broccoli Games, was unveiled for the first time in the world at Day of the Devs: Summer Game Fest Edition 2026.
Inspired by the psychological thriller game ‘MOUTHWASHING’ and the mystery film ‘Knives Out’, the game features a plot twist-driven narrative and full voice acting. The development team introduced it as a “Creepy-Cozy Walking Simulator” and stated that it is currently under development with a target release on PC Steam in 2026.
An anxious family gathering in a fairytale atmosphere
Apple Crumble paints the scene of a warm family birthday party with colorful hues reminiscent of a fairy tale. However, contrary to its peaceful exterior, an inexplicable sense of anxiety and tension permeates the air, creating an ominous atmosphere.
The game takes place at the grandmother’s childhood home. The player reunites with family members after a long time and enjoys a birthday party, but soon discovers that someone is trying to kill the grandmother. As the suspicious behavior of family members and hidden secrets are revealed, the seemingly ordinary birthday party gradually turns into the scene of a murder mystery.
Happy Broccoli Games, known for showcasing unique humor and distinctive characters in the Duck Detective series, has expanded the genre in a darker and more psychological direction while maintaining its signature warm yet bizarre atmosphere in this title.
A dense short thriller of 60 to 90 minutes
Apple Crumble is a short story-centered work consisting of a playtime of about 60 to 90 minutes.
The player approaches the truth of the incident by exploring every corner of the house, collecting clues, and conversing with family members. The core objective is to find the answer to the question, “Who is trying to kill Grandma?”
The development team explains that the game goes beyond a simple mystery game to provide psychological confusion that constantly forces players to ponder “who to trust.” In essence, the goal is to deliver dense storytelling and intense plot twists within a short length.
Major media attention immediately after the release of Day of the Devs
The work is attracting interest from overseas game media immediately after its release.
GameSpot summarized the major entries for Day of the Devs: Summer Game Fest Edition 2026 and selected ‘Apple Crumble’ as one of the representative highlights. Gematsu reported on the announcement of a new game from Happy Broccoli Games, highlighting the full voice acting and the influences from ‘MOUTHWASHING’ and ‘Knives Out’.
Furthermore, The Sixth Axis highlighted the game’s unique concept, stating, “The developers of Duck Detective make you find the killer attempting to murder your grandmother this time.” Expectations among indie game fans are also rising for this new attempt to combine psychological thriller elements with the lighthearted mystery of previous titles.
Attention is focused on how the fairytale-like visuals, unstable family relationships, and the intense subject matter of a poisoning case will lead to twists and an ending.
Information regarding ‘Apple Crumble’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer / Publisher | Happy Broccoli Games (Germany) |
| Genre | Creepy-Cozy Interactive Mystery Thriller / Walking Simulator / Psychological Horror |
| Release platform | PC (Steam) |
| Scheduled for release | 2026 |
| Playtime | 60~90 minutes (short film) |
| Art style | Colorful / Stylized / Cinematic |
| characteristic | Full voice acting |
| Developer’s previous work | Duck Detective: The Secret Salami / Duck Detective: Evil Pudding |
| inspiration | MOUTHWASHING / Knives Out |
| Public history | Day of the Devs: Summer Game Fest Edition 2026 World Premiere |
| Main Keywords | Cozy, Creepy, Mystery, Family, Murder, Working Sim, Twist, Short Thriller |
| Official Channel | Discord·TikTok·X·Bluesky |
| Steam Page | Go to Wishlist |
