Info about Unsolved Case:

Official game description:
**IMPORTANT**: "Unsolved Case" is a 2-player cooperative puzzle game that requires each player to have their own copy on either mobile, tablet, PC or Mac . Internet connection and voice communication are essential. Need a Player Two? Join our Discord community - find the link in the game details on the right!
CRACK THE UNSOLVED CASE
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**Unsolved Case is the free, standalone prequel to the cooperative point-and-click puzzle game series 'Cryptic Killer'.**
Dip your toes in and go back to where it all began as you team up as detective duo Old Dog and Ally against the Cryptic Killer. For the first time in the series, you'll encounter a labyrinth of puzzles and challenges laid by one of the most devious minds in the world. Solve puzzles, crack codes, and find a way out.
Do you have what it takes to crack the Unsolved Case of the Cryptic Killer? Crack the case during a focused playthrough of 30-60 minutes—perfect for a night of puzzle solving.
THE STORY SO FAR
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Years ago, the twisted Cryptic Killer was put away behind bars at the infamous Anagram Asylum. But today, he's back, and he's taunting the detectives. Did they catch the wrong guy, or are they looking at a copycat killer?
A new lead arrives in the form of a mysterious locked box, delivered directly to their addresses. Detectives Ally and Old Dog are once again sent on a chase that'll challenge them unlike any case before. Explore new locations, crack codes, and unravel the mystery. In this prequel, you're invited to step into the detectives' shoes and return to where it all began.
THE ONLY WAY TO ESCAPE IS TO WORK TOGETHER
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Two minds are better than one, and the only way you'll be able to crack the Cryptic Killer's codes is by working together. Through separate screens, you and your friend will each be given half of a puzzle at each location. Communicate, collaborate, and work together to push your puzzle-solving skills to the limit.
FEATURES LIST
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*   **Full Game for Free**  
    Get started as detectives Ally and Old Dog with this complete prequel game at no cost, providing a glimpse into the larger puzzle series.
*   **30-60 Minutes of Puzzle Solving**  
    Immerse yourself in an adventure filled with engaging puzzles, designed to be resolved within half an hour to an hour.
*   **Two Player Co-Op**  
    In Unsolved Case, the detectives are separated. You’ll see different items and clues than your partner and will be tested on your communication!
*   **Challenging Collaborative Puzzles**  
    Two brains are better than one when it comes to cracking the Cryptic Killer's codes.
*   **Explore Illustrated World**  
    Unsolved Case's hand-illustrated environments are inspired by noir novels.
*   **Draw on… Everything!**  
    You cannot solve a case without taking notes. At any time in the game, you can whip out a notebook and pen to make notes and scribble on your environment.
_Hurry up, or risk losing more than just the case!_

Release date: Nov 24, 2022

Categories: Cooperative Multiplayer, Puzzle Solving, Point-and-click Adventure, Deductive Reasoning Puzzle, Dialogue-based Gameplay, Narrative-driven Gameplay, Story-driven Gameplay, Noir


- 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:
- Engaging and well-balanced puzzles (weight 0.95): The game features a variety of puzzles that are both interesting and well-balanced. Players appreciate the logical and engaging nature of the puzzles, which are neither too difficult nor too simple.
- Fun co-op experience (weight 0.84): The game is highly enjoyable when played with a friend. The cooperative gameplay is fun and not frustrating, making it ideal for spending time with friends or partners.
- Captivating and engaging story (weight 0.35): The game features an engaging and captivating story that keeps players invested. The narrative is well-crafted and adds to the overall enjoyment of the game.
- Positive reception of the demo (weight 0.29): Players enjoyed the demo version of the game, finding it very good and enjoyable. The demo provides a great introduction to the game's mechanics and storyline.
- Unique and stylized art (weight 0.27): The game has a unique comic book art style that players appreciate. The stylized art and comic-style storytelling add to the game's charm and visual appeal.
- Good voice acting and soundtrack (weight 0.12): Players enjoyed the voice acting and soundtrack of the game. The accents and consistency of the voice acting were well-received.
- Short but fun detective gameplay (weight 0.12): The game offers a short but enjoyable detective puzzle experience. Players find the mystery gameplay intriguing and fun.
- Helpful in-game hints (weight 0.12): The game provides helpful hints that assist players in solving puzzles. These hints are appreciated and sometimes necessary for progressing through the game.

Common complaints:
- Puzzles are difficult and confusing (weight 0.29): Many players found the puzzles to be challenging and confusing, often describing them as difficult, complicated, and poorly designed. This feedback indicates a need for better puzzle design or clearer instructions.
- Connection problems (weight 0.27): There were numerous reports of connection issues, including difficulties connecting to servers and frequent disconnections. This highlights a critical need for improving the game's network stability.
- Hints are unhelpful (weight 0.2): Players reported that the hints provided in the game were not helpful and sometimes nonsensical. This suggests that the hint system needs improvement to better assist players.
- Poor voice acting (weight 0.19): The voice acting in the game was widely criticized as being bad, over the top, and forced. This indicates a need for better voice acting or direction in future updates.
- Puzzles are too simple (weight 0.17): Some players found the puzzles to be too simple and not challenging enough. This feedback suggests that the game could benefit from a range of difficulty levels to cater to different player preferences.
- Game is very short (weight 0.17): Many players felt that the game was too short and did not offer enough content. This feedback indicates a desire for more extensive gameplay or additional levels.
- Lack of puzzle variety (weight 0.16): Players noted a lack of variation in puzzle answers and solutions, making the puzzles feel repetitive. Introducing more diverse puzzles could enhance the gaming experience.
- Gameplay and technical issues (weight 0.16): Players experienced confusing gameplay, game-breaking bugs, poor controls, and monotonous gameplay. These issues significantly impact the overall gaming experience and need to be addressed.
- Weak and predictable plot (weight 0.13): The game's plot was criticized for being weak, lackluster, and predictable. Enhancing the storyline could make the game more compelling.
- Abrupt and unsatisfying ending (weight 0.13): The game's ending was described as abrupt, awkward, and unfinished, leaving players unsatisfied. This suggests that the narrative needs better closure or additional content.
- Game launch issues (weight 0.1): Some players reported issues with launching or running the game, indicating potential technical problems that need to be addressed.
- Difficulty playing with friends (weight 0.09): Players had trouble playing with friends due to various issues, including connectivity problems and the game not being free to play. Addressing these issues could improve the multiplayer experience.
- Puzzles require illogical solutions (weight 0.09): Players found that some puzzles required illogical actions to solve, making them unintuitive and frustrating. Improving the logic behind puzzle solutions could enhance the gaming experience.
- Bland and unoriginal dialogue (weight 0.09): The dialogues in the game were criticized for feeling bland and lacking originality. Improving the writing could make the game more engaging.
- Achievements require replaying (weight 0.08): Players noted that achieving all accomplishments in the game requires replaying it multiple times. This could be seen as a negative aspect for those who prefer a single playthrough experience.
- Tedious gameplay (weight 0.07): Players found some parts of the game, particularly the last puzzle, to be tedious to complete. This feedback suggests a need for more engaging and varied gameplay.
- Limited number of puzzles (weight 0.06): The game was criticized for having only a few puzzles, which might not offer enough content for players. Increasing the number of puzzles could enhance the gaming experience.
- Obscure and impractical puzzles (weight 0.06): Some puzzles were described as obscure and not practical, making them difficult to solve. Improving the clarity and practicality of puzzles could make the game more enjoyable.
- Issues with slow players (weight 0.06): Players reported that the game was not fun when playing with slow people, indicating a potential issue with the game's pacing or multiplayer dynamics.

Gameplay feedback:
- Cooperative puzzle-solving gameplay (weight 0.56): The game is centered around puzzles that require teamwork and cooperation between two players. It involves puzzle-solving mechanics similar to escape rooms and point-and-click adventures.
- Story-driven narrative (weight 0.26): The game features a story-driven narrative with comic-style cutscenes. Players engage in a detective story with mystery and criminal puzzles to solve.
- Unique game mechanics (weight 0.25): The game includes various mechanics such as limited view perspectives for each player, note-taking features, and an in-game hints system to aid in puzzle-solving.

Performance notes:
- Connection issues prevalent (weight 0.31): Many players reported frequent disconnections and difficulties connecting to servers. This includes problems with server stability and synchronization.
- Game-breaking bugs reported (weight 0.13): Several players encountered critical bugs that hindered gameplay, such as issues with code locks and safe boxes getting stuck.
- Steam Deck compatibility (weight 0.1): The game has been reported to work well on Steam Deck, indicating good compatibility with this platform.
- Mixed server stability reports (weight 0.09): While some players reported stable servers and smooth gameplay, others experienced significant connection issues.
- High system requirements (weight 0.07): Some players noted that the game requires a good connection and potent hardware to play smoothly.
- Niche or low-quality feedback (weight 0.06): Some feedback was either too vague, niche, or of low quality to be actionable.

Recommendations:
- Ideal for cooperative play (weight 0.33): The game is frequently recommended for playing with a friend or partner. It provides a fun challenge and is perfect for short gaming sessions with a buddy, making it a great choice for cooperative play.
- Worth buying the full version (weight 0.24): Players express interest in purchasing the full version of the game, especially if it goes on sale. The game serves as a good demo for the full version, attracting attention and justifying the purchase to support the small studio.
- Highly recommended overall (weight 0.2): Many players highly recommend the game, suggesting it is worth trying out. It is recommended for various types of players, including beginners and those looking for a fun experience with friends or partners.
- Great for puzzle and detective fans (weight 0.18): The game is highly recommended for fans of detective stories and complex puzzles. It offers a noir-inspired narrative that appeals to those who enjoy solving puzzles and engaging in cooperative gameplay.
- Specific game recommendations (weight 0.16): The game is recommended for fans of specific titles like 'We were here' and 'It takes two'. It is also suggested to play before the main game and is highly recommended for escape room fans.
- Encourages further purchases (weight 0.15): Players who enjoyed the game plan on getting the next installments or have already purchased them. This indicates a strong interest in continuing the experience provided by the game.
- Engaging and enjoyable phases (weight 0.09): The game offers enjoyable phases and an engaging story, making it entertaining for a while. This keeps players interested and looking forward to more content.
- Positive future expectations (weight 0.09): Players express a desire to see more games using this marketing strategy and hope to play more games like this with additional levels. They also look forward to playing more of the game in the future.
- Interest in other developer titles (weight 0.07): The game has sparked interest in trying other titles by the same developers. Players have bought other games by the developers, showing confidence in their work.
- Suitable for various play styles (weight 0.07): The game is perfect for a night of gaming with friends or solo, offering a calm experience. It is also recommended for those looking to develop their working together skills.

Other player notes:
- Refund requests and complaints (weight 0.07): Multiple users expressed dissatisfaction and requested refunds. Some of these requests were made in a non-serious or sarcastic manner.
- VPN requirement in Russia (weight 0.04): Players in Russia reported needing a VPN to access the game, indicating potential regional restrictions or issues.
- Guide link provided (weight 0.04): A user provided a link to a guide, which could be helpful for other players seeking additional information or assistance.

Emotions:
- Enjoyment (weight 0.22): Players derive enjoyment from the game's cooperative puzzle-solving mechanics, engaging story, and well-designed puzzles. The fun and interactive gameplay, along with the ability to play with friends or partners, enhances the overall experience.
- Joy (weight 0.13): The game brings joy through its fun and casual challenges, enjoyable story, and the pleasant experience of teamwork. Players appreciate the engaging gameplay, entertaining puzzles, and the opportunity to play with friends or partners.
- Frustration (weight 0.11): Players experience frustration due to server and multiplayer issues, difficult and confusing puzzles, and technical problems such as game crashing and connection issues. These problems hinder the gameplay experience and cause significant annoyance.
- Happy (weight 0.1): Players feel happy due to the enjoyable co-op experience, fun puzzles, and the opportunity to play with friends or family. The game's balance, story, and atmosphere contribute to a satisfying and fun experience.
- Disappointment (weight 0.09): Disappointment stems from the game's short length, abrupt ending, and lack of depth in characters and story. Players also express dissatisfaction with technical issues and the game's difficulty level.
- Excitement (weight 0.06): Players are excited about the game's engaging story, well-structured saga, and the availability of more content in the series. The demo leaves players eager to continue playing and exploring the full game.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.05): Satisfaction comes from the enjoyable puzzle-solving experience, appropriate game length, and positive gameplay mechanics. Players appreciate the cooperative aspects and the overall quality of the puzzles.
- Positive (weight 0.03): Players have a generally positive view of the game, enjoying the atmosphere, puzzles, and cooperative nature. The game is seen as a pleasant and fun experience despite some limitations.
- Frustrated (weight 0.03): Players feel frustrated due to connection issues, synchronization problems, and illogical puzzle solutions. These issues make the game difficult to enjoy and progress through.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Amusement is derived from funny moments with friends or family, enjoyable puzzles, and humorous interactions. These elements add a light-hearted and entertaining aspect to the game.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger is caused by terrible riddles, poor voice acting, constant crashes, and deceptive marketing. These issues significantly detract from the gameplay experience and cause frustration.
- Angry (weight 0.02): Players feel angry due to issues with the payment model, puzzle design, and co-op synchronization problems. These issues make the game feel unfair and poorly executed.
- Interest (weight 0.01): Interest is sparked by the game's plot, characters, and unique marketing strategy. These elements draw players in and make them curious about the game's story and world.
- Engagement (weight 0.01): Engagement comes from the captivating plot and puzzles. These elements keep players invested in the game and eager to solve more puzzles.
- Excited (weight 0.01): Players are excited about the hope for more games in the series and the desire for more content. The game leaves players wanting more and eager for future releases.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Anticipation is built by the wait for upcoming games and the desire to play the full game. Players look forward to more content and future releases.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise comes from unexpected elements and the game's ability to change perspectives on mystery and puzzle games. These elements add a sense of novelty and intrigue.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Appreciation is felt for the game's beautiful art style and cool cooperative puzzles. Players also appreciate the game's accessibility for new players.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Gratitude is expressed towards the developers for providing a free sample and towards readers for their positive votes and awards. Players feel thankful for the positive experiences and recognition.}