Info about This Bed We Made:

Official game description:
  
_February 17, 1958. Sophie's shift at the Clarington Hotel begins like any other — until she opens the door to room 505 and a crimson light comes out..._
About This Bed We Made
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_This Bed We Made_ is a **third-person narrative mystery game** offering a 3 to 6 hour gameplay experience that allows you to indulge your curiosity about the hidden lives of others. Take on the role of Sophie, a nosy chambermaid in the **1950s**, and discover the **sinister mystery** that binds the hotel guests through the **strange objects** they bring on their travels.  
Gameplay
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💋 **NEO-NOIR INVESTIGATION**: Discover a dark, mysterious and intriguing story with a touch of glamour and murder as you explore three atmospheric floors of the Clarington Hotel;  
💋 **GUILTY PLEASURE**: Explore your (in)discreet fascination with other peoples' lives while you inspect their belongings in 360° and solve puzzles;  
💋 **CONFIDENTIAL RELATIONSHIPS**: Form intimate bonds with hotel employees and guests, including your choice of ally between street-smart Beth and book-smart Andrew;  
💋 **LIFELIKE CONSEQUENCES**: Every action taken, and every door opened, can have an impact on how the story unfolds... including how you tidy up the rooms!

Release date: 1 Nov, 2023

Categories: Single-player Story, Investigative Gameplay, Puzzle Solving, Choice-based Narrative, Multiple Endings, Exploration, NPC Relationships & Romance, Maid Duties & Snooping


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Highly enjoyable experience (weight 0.69): Reviewers consistently found the game to be fun, captivating, and a worthwhile purchase, praising its overall quality and engaging nature. It provided a very positive and memorable gaming experience.
- Engaging detective mechanics (weight 0.53): Reviewers thoroughly enjoyed the core gameplay loop of snooping through hotel rooms, finding clues, and piecing together the mystery. The game successfully delivers a satisfying investigative experience, often compared to Nancy Drew titles.
- Meaningful player choices (weight 0.53): Players highly valued the game's choice-driven narrative, where decisions genuinely impact the story and lead to multiple distinct endings. This mechanic significantly enhances replayability, encouraging multiple playthroughs to explore different outcomes.
- Captivating story & plot twists (weight 0.42): The game's narrative was consistently praised for being engaging, immersive, and full of unexpected twists and turns. Reviewers were hooked from beginning to end, appreciating the well-written and compelling storyline.
- Authentic 1950s atmosphere (weight 0.27): The game's meticulously crafted 1950s setting, including decor, costumes, and overall noir vibe, was highly praised. It successfully immerses players in the era, enhancing the mystery and storytelling.
- Balanced puzzle difficulty (weight 0.26): The puzzles were generally well-received for striking a good balance between challenge and accessibility. They were engaging enough to require thought without becoming frustrating or hindering story progression.
- Optimal game length & pacing (weight 0.21): Reviewers appreciated the game's concise length, often allowing for completion in a single sitting, which was seen as ideal for its narrative and replayability. The pacing was also praised for keeping players engaged without feeling rushed or overstaying its welcome.
- Excellent voice acting (weight 0.18): The voice acting, particularly in English and Canadian French, received widespread acclaim for its quality, emotional delivery, and ability to make characters believable and likable. It significantly enhanced the immersive experience.
- Intertwined character narratives (weight 0.18): The game's masterful weaving of seemingly unconnected character stories and relationships was highly praised. This narrative structure kept players curious and invested in discovering the deeper connections and emotional resonance.
- Stunning graphics & art style (weight 0.16): The game's visual presentation, including its unique art style, detailed environments, and well-directed cutscenes, received significant praise. Reviewers noted the high quality of graphics for an indie title, showcasing the developers' effort.
- Unique cleaning gameplay (weight 0.12): The innovative gameplay mechanic of playing as a hotel maid, which involves cleaning rooms while simultaneously snooping and influencing the mystery, was highly enjoyed. This unique concept added a satisfying and immersive layer to the detective experience.
- Well-developed characters (weight 0.11): Reviewers consistently praised the game's characters for being well-written, believable, and relatable. Their gradual revelation and complex relationships made players feel deeply invested, even without direct interaction.
- Authentic LGBTQ+ representation (weight 0.1): The game was highly lauded for its natural, respectful, and authentic inclusion of LGBTQ+ themes and characters, particularly within its 1950s setting. This aspect resonated deeply with many players, making the story feel personal and impactful.

Common complaints:
- Rushed, confusing story/ending (weight 0.61): Many players found the game's narrative to be confusing, predictable, and lacking emotional depth, especially towards the end. The conclusion often felt rushed, abrupt, or unsatisfying, leaving players with unanswered questions and a sense of incompleteness.
- Overpriced for short length (weight 0.44): A significant number of players felt the game was too short, often completing it in 3-5 hours. This short duration, combined with the full price, led to widespread sentiment that the game was overpriced and did not offer sufficient content or value for money.
- Low replay value (weight 0.34): Players expressed a strong lack of desire to replay the game, primarily due to choices feeling inconsequential and the linear nature of the gameplay. The effort required to achieve different endings often felt unrewarding, as changes were minimal and the process tedious.
- Unskippable scenes/dialogue (weight 0.31): A major point of frustration for players was the inability to skip cutscenes and dialogue, especially during subsequent playthroughs. This design choice made attempts to explore different endings or achieve 100% completion a tedious and time-consuming chore.
- Lacks true mystery/deduction (weight 0.25): Many players felt the game was marketed as a murder mystery but failed to deliver on that promise, shifting focus away from investigation and deduction. The mystery elements were often underwhelming, lacked stakes, and offered limited exploration or complex puzzles, disappointing fans of the genre.
- Stiff animations, poor models (weight 0.17): Reviewers frequently noted the game's weak and stiff animations, particularly for character movements and facial expressions. Character models, especially male ones, were often described as unpolished, robotic, or janky, detracting from immersion and visual quality.
- Technical bugs, clunky controls (weight 0.17): The game suffered from various technical issues, including bugs, poor performance, and long loading times. Players also reported clumsy or odd controls, slow character movement, and UI misalignment, which collectively detracted from the overall gameplay experience.
- Unfulfilled game potential (weight 0.14): Reviewers frequently expressed that the game had significant potential but ultimately felt underdeveloped or incomplete. Many features introduced in tutorials were rarely used, and the narrative left too many questions unanswered, giving the impression of a first chapter rather than a full game.
- Shallow characters, limited interaction (weight 0.1): Players noted a general lack of depth in characters, with many named individuals never being met or interacting meaningfully. Character development felt superficial, and player choices often had little impact on character relationships or arcs, leading to a lack of emotional connection.
- Forced social themes (weight 0.05): Some reviewers felt that the game's portrayal of 1950s social issues, particularly regarding queer themes and mental health, was heavy-handed or forced. They perceived a lack of choice in engaging with certain character orientations and felt the themes sometimes overshadowed the core mystery.

Gameplay feedback:
- High Replayability, Many Endings (weight 0.31): The game boasts significant replay value, with players frequently engaging in multiple playthroughs to explore numerous different endings (some mentioning up to 28 or 9 variations) and unlock various achievements. This encourages repeated engagement to uncover all secrets.
- Choices Impact Story & Endings (weight 0.3): Player decisions and dialogue choices significantly influence the story's progression and lead to a variety of different endings. This encourages players to explore alternative paths.
- Simple Detective Puzzles (weight 0.29): The core gameplay involves solving puzzles through exploration, searching belongings, reading notes, and deciphering ciphers. Puzzles are generally described as simple to moderately challenging, making them accessible without being overwhelming.
- Maid Duties & Snooping (weight 0.17): A central gameplay mechanic involves performing routine hotel maid duties like cleaning rooms, making beds, and collecting trash. This role cleverly justifies the player's ability to snoop through guests' belongings and uncover secrets.
- 1950s Hotel Maid Role (weight 0.16): Players assume the role of Sophie Roy, a curious maid working in a high-end hotel in 1950s Montreal. This specific setting and character role provide the narrative framework for the game's mystery and exploration.
- Organized Clue System (weight 0.15): The game features a well-organized system for tracking clues, characters, and findings, often through an in-game journal or notebook. This aids players in their detective work, allowing them to piece together the mystery effectively.
- Narrative-Driven Mystery Genre (weight 0.11): The game is primarily a third-person, point-and-click mystery, often described as a "whodunnit" or "snooping simulator." It blends elements of intrigue, gossip, and crime, with a strong emphasis on unfolding a film-noir style narrative.
- Sophie's Role & Hints (weight 0.09): The game is played exclusively from Sophie's third-person perspective, with her actions directly influencing the storyline and character relationships. Sophie's internal monologues also serve as a helpful hint system, guiding players through objectives.
- Text-Heavy Gameplay (weight 0.08): The game involves a significant amount of reading, including notes, letters, diaries, and other texts, which are crucial for piecing together the narrative and solving puzzles. Players spend a considerable portion of their time engaging with written material.
- Optional Romance Paths (weight 0.06): Players have the option to pursue romantic relationships with two specific co-workers, Beth or Andrew. This choice influences dialogue themes and can affect certain narrative outcomes.
- Walking Simulator Elements (weight 0.06): The game incorporates elements of a walking simulator, with a significant portion of gameplay involving moving between rooms and locations. This contributes to a slower, narrative-focused pace without combat or complex mechanics.
- Sophie's Curious Nature (weight 0.06): Sophie's inherent curiosity and tendency to snoop through guest belongings are central to the game's premise. Her character traits drive the narrative forward, leading her into detective investigations and uncovering intriguing secrets.

Performance notes:
- Poor Performance & Optimization (weight 0.05): Many players experienced significant performance issues, including slowdowns, lag, stuttering, and the game being demanding on system resources. Even high-end PCs reportedly ran hot and loud, indicating poor optimization, despite exceeding recommended specifications.
- Good Steam Deck Performance (weight 0.04): The game is generally reported to run well and be fully playable on the Steam Deck, often achieving 30 FPS on low settings without significant issues or slowdowns. Some reviewers even preferred mouse and keyboard but found no problems on the portable device.
- Runs Well on High-End PCs (weight 0.03): Some users reported the game running flawlessly and stably on high-end systems, achieving 4K resolution at 60 FPS on maximum settings with powerful GPUs like the 3080 Ti. This suggests that while optimization issues exist for some, powerful hardware can overcome them.
- Minor Visual Glitches (weight 0.03): Reviewers noted various minor visual imperfections, including occasional character clipping, stiff facial animations, and specific instances like the basement turning completely white temporarily. Some issues were attributed to Unreal Engine and RTX card light handling.
- Minor Audio/UI Bugs (weight 0.03): Several minor, non-game-breaking bugs were reported, such as subtitle display issues (fixable by menu reset), non-fluent sound, a camera bug showing only half the room, and an instance of mismatched voice languages in a cutscene.
- Level Loading Glitches (weight 0.02): Players occasionally encountered issues where levels failed to load completely before the player character was dropped in, resulting in standing in a void. While the level eventually loaded, this was a noticeable and recurring visual bug.
- Game Requires Reinstallation (weight 0.01): One critical issue reported was the game requiring reinstallation before every new start, which is a severe and game-breaking bug. This significantly hinders playability for affected users.

Recommendations:
- Highly Recommended Experience (weight 0.55): The game is widely recommended by players, often receiving high ratings and being described as a worthwhile and enjoyable experience. Many consider it a must-play within its genre.
- Recommend on Sale (weight 0.26): A significant number of players recommend purchasing the game primarily when it is on sale, suggesting that the full price might be too high for its content or length.
- Strong Narrative Mystery (weight 0.22): The game is highly praised and recommended for fans of mystery, detective, and narrative-driven genres, often drawing comparisons to classic works like Nancy Drew or Agatha Christie.
- Eager for More from Devs (weight 0.11): Players express strong support for the development studio (Lowbirth Games) and eagerly anticipate their future projects, hoping for similar or improved game experiences.
- Multiple Endings Encourage Replay (weight 0.08): The game offers significant replay value, with players keen to explore different choices and achieve all possible endings. Many also express a desire for a sequel.
- Niche Audience Appeal (weight 0.04): The game is specifically recommended for players interested in queer content, fans of "Life is Strange," or those comfortable with reading and translating English dialogues.
- Playthrough Strategy Discussed (weight 0.03): Players discuss optimal ways to experience the game, such as avoiding spoilers for the first playthrough or using walkthroughs to achieve specific endings.
- Relaxing Casual Play (weight 0.03): The game is described as a good, low-stakes distraction, suitable for casual play sessions or when players are looking for something to pass the time without intense commitment.
- Achievement Hunting Focus (weight 0.03): Some players are motivated to replay the game specifically to unlock all achievements and uncover every mystery, indicating a completionist appeal.
- Helpful Gameplay Tips (weight 0.02): Players provide practical advice for an optimal experience, such as trying the demo for performance, saving frequently, and preferring mouse and keyboard controls over a controller.
- Good for Couples Play (weight 0.02): The game is suggested as an enjoyable experience for couples to play together, indicating its suitability for shared, collaborative or co-op (even if just watching) play.
- Cozy Atmospheric Experience (weight 0.01): The game is noted for providing a cozy and atmospheric experience, often recommended for playing during quiet evenings with a warm drink, enhancing the overall mood.

Other player notes:
- Lacks Language Localization (weight 0.04): A recurring point of feedback was the absence of official localization for several languages, including Russian, Korean, Chinese, Italian, and Japanese. Players expressed a desire for broader language support.
- Impressive Debut Title (weight 0.04): Many reviewers highlighted that this is the first game from Canadian developer Lowbirth Games. They often expressed positive surprise at its quality, considering it an impressive debut project.
- Fast-Paced, Intriguing Story (weight 0.03): The game's story was described as fast-paced and intriguing, starting innocuously before quickly developing into a thriller. Reviewers found the narrative to be very entertaining.
- Quality Indie Production (weight 0.03): Reviewers identified the game as a well-executed indie title, often acknowledging it was made on a tight budget by a small team. This context helped manage expectations regarding AAA visual and production quality.
- No Stealth/Pressure Gameplay (weight 0.02): Reviewers noted the absence of stealth elements or gameplay that puts the player under pressure. Some players initially expected detection avoidance, but found the game did not feature such mechanics.
- Suited for Mature P&C Fans (weight 0.02): The game is recommended for adult audiences, including teens, due to its mature themes. It is also specifically noted as suitable for veteran players of point-and-click adventure games.
- Maid Sim Elements/Desire (weight 0.02): Some reviewers noted elements reminiscent of a "maid sim" or hotel management, particularly in the initial premise. A few expressed a desire for the game to expand into a full maid simulation after the mystery concludes.

Emotions:
- Satisfaction (weight 0.3): Players are highly satisfied with the game's captivating and well-written story, including its intriguing plot twists, well-developed characters, and meaningful choices that lead to varied endings. The unique blend of detective work, snooping, and engaging puzzles, combined with high replayability, also contributes significantly to their enjoyment. Additionally, the immersive atmosphere, pleasing graphics, excellent voice acting, and overall high quality of the game enhance the positive experience.
- Disappointment (weight 0.17): Reviewers express disappointment primarily due to the game's short length and perceived high price for the content offered. They also cite issues with the story, such as unengaging or abrupt endings, plot holes, and a lack of impactful choices. Technical problems like unskippable dialogues, poor animations, and performance issues further detract from the experience.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.11): Players find great enjoyment in the game's fun and compelling story, which features engaging characters and surprising plot twists. The unique gameplay mechanics, including snooping, cleaning, and solving well-balanced puzzles, provide a highly entertaining experience. The immersive atmosphere, pleasing aesthetics, and overall high quality contribute to a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging playthrough.
- Frustration (weight 0.09): Frustration stems from various technical issues, including bugs, performance problems, and stiff character animations. Players are particularly annoyed by unskippable dialogues and cutscenes, which make replaying for different endings tedious. Other sources of frustration include the game's linearity, unclear objectives, and a perceived lack of impact from player choices.
- Joy (weight 0.06): Players feel joy from the game's engaging narrative, endearing characters, and impactful choices, especially those related to romance and representation. The unique snooping and investigation mechanics, combined with satisfying puzzles, contribute to a fun and immersive experience. Many express overall love for the game's quality and the emotional connection it fosters.
- Excitement (weight 0.06): Excitement is driven by the game's intriguing plot, unexpected twists, and well-written characters, which create a thrilling and suspenseful experience. The high replayability, fueled by the desire to explore different endings and choices, also generates significant anticipation. Players are also excited about the developer's future projects, hoping for more content and similar high-quality games.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Players admire the game's high overall quality, stunning art style, and masterful storytelling, especially considering it's often from a small development team. The clever game design, engaging mechanics like snooping, and impactful choices are frequently praised. The immersive atmosphere, strong characters, and excellent voice acting also contribute to this admiration.
- Engagement (weight 0.02): Players are deeply engaged by the game's compelling mystery, intricate plot twists, and well-developed characters, which keep them invested in the narrative. The immersive atmosphere and the challenge of uncovering secrets and making impactful decisions maintain their attention. The desire to achieve 100% completion and explore all story outcomes further enhances engagement.
- Love (weight 0.02): Reviewers express deep love for the game's overall quality, including its captivating plot, well-crafted characters, and impactful choices that lead to multiple endings. The unique gameplay and compelling storytelling style resonate strongly with players. Many consider it one of their favorite games due to the immersive experience and strong thematic elements.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Players are surprised by the game's unexpected high quality and depth, often exceeding their initial expectations. This includes unexpected plot twists, the unique focus on storytelling through objects, and the effective handling of sensitive themes like LGBTQ+ representation. The game's ability to create an unexpectedly cozy yet mysterious atmosphere also contributes to their surprise.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from narrative ambiguities, such as plot holes, unanswered questions, and an unclear ending. Players also express confusion regarding character logic or the protagonist's unaddressed actions. Difficulty following clues or an initial misunderstanding of the game's core objective can also contribute to this feeling.
- Desire (weight 0.01): Players express a strong desire for more content, including a longer story, additional cleaning modes, or DLC. They also wish for more quality-of-life features, such as localization into more languages. The desire to replay the game to explore all possible endings and story variants is also a common sentiment.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Players appreciate the developers' hard work and the game's thoughtful design, including its pacing and unique thematic elements like historical context. The beautiful visuals, art style, and sound design create a captivating atmosphere. The narrative quality, well-crafted characters, and reasonably challenging puzzles are also highly valued.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Players express hope for future content, such as more lore, character development, or longer gameplay experiences. They also hope for more games from the developers, recognizing the potential of the indie studio. The game's representation of the lesbian community is another significant source of hope for future titles.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement comes from the game's unique blend of gameplay elements, such as the voyeuristic pleasure of snooping, and quirky character interactions. Players find humor in their own in-game mistakes or the unexpected reactions of characters. Specific elements like the Quebecois voice acting or the detective's yelling also contribute to a lighthearted experience.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom is primarily caused by repetitive gameplay, particularly the non-skippable dialogue during repeat playthroughs. The lack of significant events in the latter part of the game and a perceived slow progression also contribute to a loss of interest. Some players find the hotel exploration or the story/riddles to be unengaging.
- Curiosity (weight 0.01): Curiosity is driven by the game's intriguing premise of snooping and uncovering mysteries, compelling players to learn more about the story details and characters. The desire to explore different endings and see the outcomes of various choices motivates multiple playthroughs. Players are also curious about potential future content or missed clues.
- Annoyance (weight 0): Annoyance is caused by specific quality-of-life issues, such as unskippable dialogue and clunky character movement. The game's short length relative to its price also contributes to this feeling. Additionally, some players are annoyed by the lack of facial animations or certain thematic content.
- Interest (weight 0): Players express interest in the game's unique concept and genre blend, finding the core idea captivating. The engaging story and intriguing puzzles also draw them in. Overall, the game's ability to maintain their attention and curiosity about the unfolding mystery is a key factor.
- Regret (weight 0): Regret often stems from the game's price point and short length, leading some players to regret their purchase decision. Additionally, players may regret their in-game choices, especially if they lead to negative outcomes like innocent characters going to prison. Not taking more risks or achieving a less satisfying ending can also cause regret.}