Info about Death Trick: Double Blind:

Official game description:
  
Come one, come all to Morgan’s Traveling Circus, the greatest show in America! Or it was, until its star, Hattie, disappeared.  
Take a step back in time to the middle of the mid 20th century, as a magician and a private eye tackle the case of the missing magician. Marvel at lush pulp art visuals and an atmospheric soundtrack that harkens back to the golden days of the traveling circus! But never forget, there’s a murderous mystery afoot.  
Take control of two protagonists tackling the case from different perspectives: one a fellow magician and colleague of the victim, and the other a private eye grappling with a bout of amnesia. Use their unique skills and expertise to befriend and interrogate a huge cast of characters, investigate various locations, and hunt down contradictions in a winding narrative filled with twists, turns, and treachery sure to shock and delight would-be detectives and circus fans alike.
Turns & Action Points:
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With only limited actions one can take before passing time, plan carefully about which clues to pursue and which locations to investigate.
Twin Perspectives:
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Alternate between a magician and a private eye: two different characters, with access to different information., and put the pieces together to see the bigger picture!  
Unique "Contradiction" Mechanic:
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Gather evidence in your collection before combining conflicting reports to create a "contradiction," then challenge the deceptions of those who would deceive a master investigator!  
🕵️‍♂️ **8** fully animated characters with their own goals, histories, and motives.  
🎪 **10** gorgeous locations to investigate and revisit.  
🎨 **50+** set of CGs and **300+** panels of comics to bring the circus to life  
🔠 A sprawling and non-linear narrative to engross and enchant  
🎭 Different unlockable endings for each major character.

Release date: Mar 11, 2024

Categories: Visual Novel, Mystery, Dual Perspective Narrative, Contradiction Mechanic, Non-linear Narrative, Multiple Endings, Character-driven Story


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 11.0h
  - Story completion: 5.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Story completion is supported by multiple reports of a single playthrough lasting 4-6 hours (e.g., ~4 hours, 5.5 hours, 6 hours). Game completion is supported by the explicit 10-12 hour estimate for a complete playthrough with all achievements, and by the mention that full completion requires 2-3 playthroughs of ~4 hours each, aligning with a total of 8-12 hours. No evidence addresses typical session length or dedicated endgame time, so those metrics are null.
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes:
  - Story & Character Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Emotional connection to characters and narrative
    - Playstyle: Focuses on dialogue, character interactions, and multiple saves to experience all story content
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Mystery Purist (sale)
    - Motivation: Solving a challenging, logically consistent mystery
    - Playstyle: Scrutinizes clues, expects airtight logic, and is critical of narrative shortcuts
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: reasoning game enthusiast; senior reasoning player
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Completionist / Replay Explorer (buy)
    - Motivation: Unlocking all content, achievements, and dialogue variations
    - Playstyle: Systematic exploration, multiple playthroughs, and save scumming to see everything
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Genre Fan / Visual Novel Aficionado (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoying the mystery visual novel genre and its narrative mechanics
    - Playstyle: Engages with investigation mechanics, appreciates dual perspectives, and compares to other genre titles
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Ace Attorney; Golden Idol; Danganronpa


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:
- Well-written and developed characters (weight 0.68): The characters are frequently highlighted as well-written, vivid, and likable, with deep development and personal stories. This is a major strength of the game, contributing to its overall appeal.
- Engaging murder mystery game (weight 0.39): Players consistently praise the game as a fun and engaging murder mystery with good writing and a great mystery. The mystery is described as interesting and solid, making it a standout experience.
- Gorgeous art and UI design (weight 0.38): The art and UI are consistently described as gorgeous, comfortable, and well-designed, with excellent graphics and style. This visual polish enhances the overall experience.
- Clever narrative tricks and twists (weight 0.25): The narrative tricks and final twists are described as wonderful, interesting, and fresh, with clever and unexpected but fitting conclusions. These elements add depth to the mystery.
- Great soundtrack and music (weight 0.24): The music and soundtrack are praised as great, fitting the circus aesthetic, with a notable theme song at the end. The audio complements the game's mood.
- Satisfying and heartwarming ending (weight 0.23): The ending is praised as satisfying, touching, and not forced, with warm and heartwarming resolutions for characters. The epilogue and character conclusions are particularly well-received.
- Abundant content and replayability (weight 0.21): The game offers tons of content, including many CGs and music, with high replayability due to multiple endings and hidden details. This provides lasting value.
- Immersive circus setting (weight 0.19): The circus setting and characters are found interesting, with detailed and vivid portrayals that recreate the atmosphere well. This unique backdrop enhances the narrative.
- Excellent writing quality (weight 0.16): The writing is praised as good, delicate, and gentle, with strong authorial skill. Players enjoy the writing style and find it effective in conveying the story.
- Interesting dual-perspective narrative (weight 0.15): The dual-perspective and nonlinear narrative are found interesting, with a great setting and switching that adds variety. This structure is appreciated by players.

Common complaints:
- Gameplay lacks focus and fun (weight 0.34): Players consistently report that the game has minimal gameplay, lacks clear direction, and fails to provide satisfaction. The experience feels more like a visual novel than an interactive detective game.
- Deduction and reasoning weak (weight 0.33): The deduction and reasoning elements are underdeveloped, with weak logic and insufficient depth. Players find the reasoning component lacking polish and not engaging.
- Story simple and lacks depth (weight 0.22): The story is described as simple, boring, and lacking clever twists or complexity. The narrative fails to provide a compelling or memorable experience.
- Clues are messy and nonsensical (weight 0.09): Some clues are described as messy and not making sense, which hampers the deduction process. This contributes to the weak reasoning and mystery elements.

Gameplay feedback:
- Action points limit actions (weight 0.58): Players start with 5 action points per day, which are consumed by questioning, investigating, and presenting evidence. This AP system constrains actions per turn or time period.
- Crime visual novel detective game (weight 0.39): Players describe the game as a crime visual novel, mystery, and detective game with nonlinear storytelling. It blends visual novel elements with detective gameplay.
- Contradiction mechanic core gameplay (weight 0.39): The game heavily features finding contradictions in testimonies and clues to expose lies and progress. This mechanic is central to the detective experience.
- Dual-perspective narrative (weight 0.39): The game uses a dual-perspective narrative, alternating between a magician and a detective. This dual-POV structure provides varied gameplay and story insights.
- Circus setting and theme (weight 0.27): The game is set in a 20th century American circus, featuring a human drama. The circus theme is a distinctive backdrop for the mystery.
- Multiple playthroughs encouraged (weight 0.26): The game encourages multiple playthroughs to see the full story, unlock different endings, and earn achievements. This adds replay value.
- Questioning characters and collecting alibis (weight 0.26): The game involves questioning characters, collecting alibis, and asking about secrets. Players gather information through dialogue and use it to solve the mystery.
- Evidence collection and confrontation (weight 0.23): Players collect evidence, investigate environments, and use knowledge from conversations to complete tasks. The game includes presenting evidence and confronting suspects.
- Interactive novel with narrative trick (weight 0.18): The game is described as an interactive novel with light deduction and a narrative trick. It emphasizes story and clever storytelling devices.
- Non-linear structure with choices (weight 0.16): The game has a non-linear design where choices matter, allowing for different paths and outcomes. This adds replayability and player agency.
- AP increases through experience (weight 0.15): Action points can be increased by completing side tasks and gaining experience. This progression system allows for more actions over time.
- Freedom in investigation (weight 0.15): The game gives players freedom and versatility in how they investigate, with an indicator for important finds. Exploration is open-ended and broad.
- Inspired by Ace Attorney (weight 0.13): Players note the game has an amazing text volume and spirit similar to Ace Attorney. It draws inspiration from that franchise in its design.
- Side quests and main story (weight 0.12): The game includes side quests that explore character backgrounds alongside the main story. Players can freely explore these optional activities.
- High error tolerance (weight 0.08): The game has high fault tolerance and urgency, meaning players can make mistakes without severe penalties. This reduces frustration and encourages experimentation.
- Linear main story (weight 0.08): Despite non-linear elements, the main story is fixed and irreversible. This provides a clear narrative path while allowing side activities.
- Time-limited search gameplay (weight 0.08): The game includes a time limit system for searches, adding urgency to investigations. Players must manage their time effectively.
- Task system for guidance (weight 0.08): The game has a task system that guides players and grants experience for completing tasks. This helps direct progression and rewards engagement.

Performance notes:
- Game crashes during gameplay (weight 0.06): Players experience several crashes during gameplay, which can lead to lost progress and frustration. This is a critical stability issue.
- Loading times are slow (weight 0.06): Loading times are slow and cannot be done in the background, forcing players to wait. This negatively impacts the pacing of the game.
- Text auto-enters on hover (weight 0.06): Players report that text auto-enters when hovering over interactive items, causing unintended selections. This is a UI bug that disrupts gameplay.
- Steam Deck performance is good (weight 0.05): The game runs well on the Steam Deck, indicating good optimization for the handheld device. This is positive feedback for players using that platform.

Recommendations:
- Story worth playing (weight 0.26): Multiple reviewers highlight the story as the main strength, recommending it for narrative-driven players and noting high replay value. The game is praised for its character-driven plot and emotional drama.
- Recommended overall (weight 0.26): A significant number of reviewers give a general recommendation, praising the game's quality and suggesting it to friends. This positive sentiment is consistent across multiple clusters.
- Good for genre fans (weight 0.25): The game is recommended for fans of mystery genres, visual novels, and narrative reasoning, with specific mentions of titles like Golden Idol and Danganronpa. It suits players who enjoy character-driven stories and light deduction.
- Not for deduction seekers (weight 0.25): Reviewers explicitly advise against purchasing for those expecting deduction or puzzle gameplay, as the game focuses more on narrative and character interaction. The detective elements are minimal.
- Niche audience (weight 0.19): The game is described as picky about its audience, appealing to those who enjoy circus themes, art style, or family drama, but not to everyone. It is recommended for specific interests.
- Character-driven focus (weight 0.13): The game is heavily character-driven, with reviewers recommending it for story-focused players and those who enjoy melodrama. It is not for those seeking a brain-twisting mystery.
- Replay for dialogue (weight 0.12): Players recommend creating multiple save files to experience all dialogue and character interactions, enhancing replayability. This is especially useful for those who want to explore all story content.
- Support small team (weight 0.05): One reviewer recommends the game due to the small team size, suggesting appreciation for the developers' effort. This adds a positive note for indie game supporters.
- Mystery short story (weight 0.05): The game is recommended as a mystery short story, appealing to those who enjoy narrative-driven mysteries. It is not a complex puzzle experience.
- Circus theme appeal (weight 0.05): The game is recommended for players who like circus or mystery themes, highlighting its unique setting. This is a specific niche recommendation.
- Art style fans (weight 0.05): Reviewers recommend the game for those who appreciate its art style, suggesting it is a visual draw. This is a positive aspect for aesthetic-focused players.
- Family drama appeal (weight 0.05): The game is recommended for those who want to watch a family emotional drama, indicating a strong narrative focus. This aligns with the character-driven praise.
- Visual novel suggestion (weight 0.04): One reviewer suggests the game should have been an interactive visual novel instead, indicating a mismatch between gameplay and narrative. This is a niche critique.

Other player notes:
- Comparisons to other games (weight 0.42): The game is compared to titles like 山河旅探, Ghost Trick, and Danganronpa, but often considered less outstanding in deduction and character development. Some note it imitates but doesn't capture their essence.
- Frequent Ace Attorney comparisons (weight 0.35): The game is often compared to the Ace Attorney series for its text-heavy narrative and the satisfaction of identifying the killer. However, reviewers note it differs significantly in mechanics and approach.
- Short playtime around five hours (weight 0.28): Multiple reviews consistently report that the game takes about 5 hours to complete, with some noting 4 to 6 hours. This indicates a concise, single-sitting experience.
- Circus setting and story (weight 0.26): The narrative is set entirely within a circus, featuring a single case about the death of magician Hattie. The story unfolds across various circus areas like carriages, stage, and backstage.
- Developed by two women (weight 0.15): The game was created by two female indie developers over two years, with most work done by this small team. This background is noted positively by reviewers.
- Translation issues for Japanese (weight 0.14): The game is not officially in Japanese, but the title is. Players can use auto-translation tools, but movie parts are not translated, and cut-off translations can be read in the log.
- Low price with high value (weight 0.11): The game is considered low-priced with high cost-performance, offering tons of content for under $20. Some reviewers note it's priced high relative to its content, but overall value is seen as good.
- Small team and poor market performance (weight 0.11): The game is a small work by a small team, and its market performance was poor despite good early access. This may affect future support.
- No plans for additional content (weight 0.08): The game has no plans for additional content, but reviewers express potential for DLC or a sequel to continue the gameplay.
- Set in the 1950s (weight 0.05): The game takes place in the 1950s, adding a historical context to the circus setting and story.
- Demo progress not carried over (weight 0.05): The demo does not carry progress to the main game, which may disappoint players who invested time in the demo.
- Official guides for achievements (weight 0.05): The game has official Chinese and English guides for achievements, helping players complete all content.
- Multiple endings and hidden details (weight 0.05): The game features multiple endings and hidden details, encouraging exploration and replayability.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.2): The game failed to meet expectations as a deduction-focused mystery, with weak reasoning, obvious clues, and a simple case. The core trick was seen as a scam, and the abrupt, unreasonable motive and lack of satisfying gameplay left players feeling let down.
- Frustration (weight 0.17): The AP system and time limits restricted exploration and questioning, causing frustration and forcing trial-and-error. Poor guidance, unskippable scenes, and a deduction process that reveals answers regardless of player performance added to the irritation.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.13): Players enjoyed the engaging murder mystery, well-written characters, and the immersive carnival atmosphere. The dual-perspective narrative, satisfying contradiction mechanics, and free exploration of clues contributed to a fun and enjoyable experience.
- Appreciation (weight 0.08): The game was appreciated for its delicate writing, beautiful art and music, and well-developed characters. The innovative dual protagonist system and the well-structured reveal were particularly praised, along with the generous save system and freedom in investigation.
- Confusion (weight 0.07): Confusion arose from the non-linear exploration and AP system, which made players feel lost and unsure of what to do. Typos, unclear evidence usage, and a confusing ending further contributed to the sense of disorientation.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.07): The satisfying ending, rewarding special end cards, and the dual-perspective fragmented design coming together at the truth reveal provided a sense of satisfaction. The strong questioning system and high replayability also contributed to a positive overall feeling.
- Admiration (weight 0.05): Admiration was expressed for the gorgeous art, UI, and soundtrack, as well as the delicate writing and high-quality presentation. The author's ability to lay foreshadowing and the detailed portrayal of circus characters were also admired.
- Boredom (weight 0.03): Boredom set in during the slow-paced start and the endgame, where excess action points led to aimless chatting. The lack of direction and minimal gameplay made the experience feel tedious.
- Warmth (weight 0.02): The mutual support and warmth among characters, along with the heartwarming ending, left players feeling warm. The story's emotional depth and the sense of community among the circus members were particularly touching.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyance was caused by the need to replay the entire game for a missing ending, the elementary-level art, and the auto-play feature fast-forwarding through important text.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Surprise came from the unexpectedly high error tolerance, the unexpected narrative trick twist, and the completely unexpected final twist at 19:00 that players did not deduce.
- Excitement (weight 0.01): Excitement was generated by the amazing final twist and the clue system that made characters feel alive, enhancing the overall engagement with the story.
- Interest (weight 0.01): Interest was sparked by the narrative trick and hints earlier in the story, as well as the attractive and mysterious plot that kept players engaged.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Players felt joy from the fun and sincere gameplay, which was hard to put down. The overall experience was described as joyful and engaging.
- Reluctance (weight 0.01): Reluctance arose from the difficulty of ending the game and the desire not to say goodbye to the characters, reflecting a strong emotional attachment.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): Sadness was evoked by the bittersweet feeling of the grand celebration followed by everyone going their separate ways, and the poignant disbanding of the circus at the end.
- Dislike (weight 0.01): Some players found it hard to like the game despite recommending it, indicating a mixed or negative personal response to the overall experience.
- Touched (weight 0.01): The touching ending left players emotionally moved, contributing to a positive and memorable experience.
- Adoration (weight 0.01): Adoration was expressed for the characters and the game overall, indicating a strong positive attachment and appreciation.
- Overwhelm (weight 0.01): The action points system and switching between characters overwhelmed some players, making the game feel complex and demanding.}