London-based indie studio Wise Monkey Entertainment Ltd officially launched its comedy murder mystery adventure, No Stone Unturned, on Steam Early Access on April 29, 2026. This noir-inspired RPG features an amnesiac squirrel detective named Cox and combines dark humor with fast-paced minigames.
Solving the Ultimate Question: Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?
The game begins on a dark, stormy morning when Detective Cox discovers a dead chicken on the side of the road. Obsessed with finding the truth, Cox sets out to answer the age-old riddle: Why did the chicken cross the road, what was it running from, and what finally stopped it?.
Set in the remote town of Orchard-Under-Hill, players must navigate a world of anthropomorphic animals inspired by classic fairy tales. To solve the mystery, players use tools such as magnifying glasses, recorders, and crowbars to interrogate residents and gather evidence.
Gameplay: Investigation, Restoration, and Choice
- Case Progression: The Early Access launch includes the first case, “Cat Got Your Tongue,” which offers over two hours of gameplay.
- Interactive World: Players do not just solve crimes; they must also restore broken bridges and buildings to unlock new areas and reach critical clues.
- Branching Narratives: Choices play a major role in the investigation, allowing players to approach the truth using their own moral standards.
- Human-Made Craftsmanship: All artwork, animations, and voice acting were created 100% by human artists and actors without the use of AI.
A Unique Collaboration with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop
In an unusual move for an indie title, the developers partnered with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop to create an official physical puppet of Detective Cox. The puppet has appeared at major gaming events like MCM and PAX, with actor David Carter providing the character’s voice to bring the buck-toothed detective to life.
From Escape Rooms to Game Development
The project is the debut title of Gareth Owens, a former escape room designer who grew up as the child of two real-life detectives. Drawing from his background in immersive entertainment and his love for classic comedy, Owens taught himself game development over several years to create this unique parody of the mystery genre.
Launch Details
- Price: Currently available for £9.99 / $11.99 / €11.99. The price is expected to increase by 33% upon the full release.
- Future Content: Four additional cases are scheduled for release as free updates throughout 2026, eventually connecting into one overarching narrative.
Official Steam Page: No Stone Unturned on Steam
Information regarding ‘No Stone Unturned’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer / Publisher | Wise Monkey Entertainment Ltd |
| Genre | Comedy Murder Mystery / Detective Adventure RPG / Mini-game |
| Release platform | PC (Steam) |
| Release date | April 29, 2026 (Early Access) |
| price | £9.99 / $11.99 / €11.99 (Expected to increase by 33% upon official launch) |
| Early Access Details | Case 1 ‘Cat Got Your Tongue’ (over 2 hours) + 4 additional cases to be updated for free |
| Special collaboration | Jim Henson’s Creature Shop (Production of the official Detective Cox puppet) |
| Voice | David Carter |
| Funding | Successful Kickstarter funding (including the first comic book) |
| Main Keywords | Comedy, Noir, Anthropomorphic Animals, Puppets, Mystery, Mini-games, Episodes |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
