Global game publisher CFK (CEO Koo Chang-sik) announced that it has officially released the experiential mystery adventure game ‘Connected Clue’ developed by domestic one-man developer Alpheratz Games on Steam on Monday, March 9th. The game officially supports Korean, English, and Japanese, and expansion to console platforms such as Nintendo Switch is also anticipated.
A mystery novel that involves hands-on activities, not just reading text.
Connected Clue’s biggest differentiator lies in its interpretation of the genre. While many existing mystery games adopt a text- and choice-driven visual novel format, Connected Clue prioritizes “experiential mystery,” where players assume the role of detective Diana and roam the streets of 19th-century Salomon Town, gathering evidence.
The core of the game is exploring the town in 2.5D pixel art with a quarter-view perspective, tracking suspects, and connecting clues to find the hidden culprit.
The official release version features 29 quests, including 11 main chapters spanning Chapters 0 through 10 and 18 sub-quests. The core system involves using the detective notebook, the central element of the investigation, to directly enlarge and analyze evidence, and linking testimonies and physical evidence on the detective board in the office to reconstruct the case’s timeline.
The fun of field investigations implemented with various mechanics
The game features various mechanics designed to enhance the immersive experience of conducting a real-life investigation. Players must physically explore crime scenes, collect clues, and analyze the evidence they obtain to reconstruct the story.
First, in the investigative phase , investigators personally walk around the town, gathering testimony from residents and evidence related to the case. A taxi system is provided to efficiently travel across the vast area, allowing for quick travel throughout Salomon Town and continued investigations.
Collected evidence is utilized in the evidence analysis phase . Through the detective notebook, you can expand or analyze evidence in detail to secure crucial clues, and on the detective board in the office, you can connect testimony and physical evidence to reconstruct the timeline of the case.
The disguise infiltration system also broadens the scope of your investigation. Equipping a disguise item allows you to sneak into heavily guarded, restricted areas, potentially securing additional clues in locations difficult to access through conventional means.
During the interrogation phase , the suspect is summoned to verify their alibi, uncover inconsistencies, and gain insight into the truth of the case. If the investigation becomes impasse, Detective Colin can be contacted via a public phone for hints.
In the final chase stage , a quick reflexes-based QTE chase unfolds when the criminal escapes. The gamer must pursue the fleeing criminal until he is captured.
A variety of accessibility options are also available. These include a sound wave display feature that visualizes the sound generated when unlocking the device, brightness and saturation adjustments, and visual indicators for important sounds.
Seong Hwa-jeong, a solo developer with a background in comic creation, has been working for four years.
Alpheratz Games, the creator of Connected Clue, is a one-man studio led by Seong Hwa-jeong, the developer. While majoring in comics creation in college, he was introduced to game development through a friend. He has single-handedly handled everything from planning and story development to sound composition and translation. Prior to Connected Clue, he previously released the emotional platformers “Wicce” and “Nevaeh” on Steam.
CEO Seong Hwa-jeong said in an interview, “Perhaps because of my low self-esteem, I find it difficult to believe those around me who tell me it’s ‘okay.'” He added, “I always have doubts and worries while developing the game, but I’ve continued development believing that one day, I’ll find a moment where I can be satisfied.” Connected Clue is the result of four years of that persistence and attention to detail.
Perfect for gamers who are tired of text-based mystery games.
Since its demo release, the game has consistently garnered attention from mystery and adventure genre fans. In particular, many have praised the game’s experiential structure, in which players explore locations and gather clues, for offering a refreshingly different experience from traditional text-based mystery games.
Community responses included, “Recommended for those who feel bored with novel-style mystery games,” “The pixelated graphics and 19th-century atmosphere blend well,” and “Connecting clues on the detective board is especially fun.” The game’s thoughtful inclusion of various accessibility options was also praised.
However, as this is a one-person development project, there is also advice that it is a good idea to check expectations regarding the amount of content and level of completion in advance.
Connected Clue is available on Steam, with a two-week 20% discount running until March 22nd. Following this global launch on Steam, CFK plans to expand the service to console platforms like the Nintendo Switch.
Steam Store Page:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1777200/Connected_Clue/
Stove Store Page:
https://store.onstove.com/ko/games/101087
