Info about Long Knives:

Official game description:
**English localization only available in Demo.**
Dynasty crumbles. The land fractures. You're one of many orphans, taken in by distant kin. On reaching adulthood, you become a constable, whether for survival or ambition.
_**Long Knives**_ is a low-fantasy wuxia text-based adventure with TTRPG mechanics and deep narrative branching.
**Key Features**
----------------
*   TTRPG-inspired. Second-person narrative.
*   Customize attributes. Choose pre-orphan background. Allocate points.
*   Proficiencies affect skill checks.
*   Uses an 18-sided die, not D20.
*   Visible and hidden checks. Reload anytime.
**Personalized Experience**
---------------------------
*   Every line of dialogue is your choice.
*   Story branches respond to hidden variables.

Release date: Dec 31, 2025

Categories: Text-based Gameplay, Choice-based Narrative, Detective Gameplay, Dice-based Gameplay, Wuxia RPG, Branching Story, Tabletop RPG, Skill-based Dialogue Checks

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 5; verdict: Fair / No Monetization Evidence; summary: The reviews show appreciation for a free game and voluntary interest in supporting the developer through future paid DLC or crowdfunding. They do not describe any current real-money shop, paid gacha, loot boxes, pay-to-win mechanics, or convenience monetization. Because the only paid content mentioned is hypothetical future DLC, there is no evidence of predatory monetization.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 5.0h
  - Story completion: 3.0h
  - Session length: 2.5h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The first quote directly supports a continuous play session of at least about 2.5 hours. The second and fourth quotes point to roughly 4–5 hours for the current available build, with an 8-hour disrupted playthrough as a higher outlier, so I set gameCompletion to 5. The third quote estimates the current story at 2–3 hours, so storyCompletion is set to 3. No quote gives a separate post-story or endgame duration, so endgame is null. Confidence is moderate because the game is unfinished and playtimes vary by reading speed.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game hooks most players quickly once the story, characters, and case-based mystery take hold, despite minor early art-style and expectation friction. The main recurring complaint is frustration at an unfinished story or cliffhanger rather than a failure to become fun.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: After the initial five-minute art-style adjustment, the story and novel gameplay become addictive.
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Rough art style in the first five minutes; Expectation that the game would be boring; Unclear success/failure feedback and missed combat or event outcomes
  - Unlock drivers: Story and novel gameplay make play addictive despite rough early art; Deepening immersion makes play increasingly addictive; Quick introduction and strong hooks make the main trio engaging; Tightly linked cases and information-gathering deduction are fun; Case surprises and gradual main-plot progression sustain addiction
  - Conditions: Tolerance for a rough early art style; Interest in wuxia mystery, deduction, and information gathering; Willingness to accept an unfinished story or cliffhanger and wait for updates; Appreciation for case-by-case progression and gradual main-plot reveals
- Player Archetypes:
  - Tabletop-Style Roll-Player (buy)
    - Motivation: Experiencing tabletop-style dice checks and character stat allocation that shape the narrative.
    - Playstyle: Allocates stats, makes skill-check choices, retries rolls, and hunts for mechanical branching differences.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Disco Elysium; Pentiment
  - Case-Cracking Mystery Fan (buy)
    - Motivation: Solving the case, connecting clues, and testing their verdict against the community.
    - Playstyle: Investigates scenes, interrogates suspects, takes notes, and cross-checks theories with other players.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: clueless detective; reasoning idiot; law student
    - Reference games: Ace Attorney; Gunshot and Diamond; Raging Loop
  - Wuxia Prose Immersionist (buy)
    - Motivation: Immersion in a well-crafted wuxia narrative with distinctive, old-fashioned prose.
    - Playstyle: Reads as an interactive novel, savoring descriptions, dialogue, and character debates.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Value-Seeking Free-Game Explorer (buy)
    - Motivation: Getting high-quality content for free and supporting an indie developer's continued work.
    - Playstyle: Plays in bursts up to the latest update and holds off on a full run until the story is complete.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


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:
- Standout Art Style (weight 0.31): Reviewers consistently praise the game's distinctive and appealing art style, with many calling it beautiful, clean, and well-coordinated with the writing. The visuals are frequently cited as a major strength.
- Beautiful Character Art (weight 0.28): The character art and designs are widely praised as beautiful, attractive, and high quality. Reviewers find the portraits striking and the designs excellent and likable.
- Vivid Distinctive Characters (weight 0.26): Characters are frequently described as vivid, memorable, and well-rounded, with strong three-dimensionality and clear logic in their portrayal. Their personalities are distinct and leave a lasting impression.
- Excellent Concise Writing (weight 0.23): The writing is praised as excellent, concise, and powerful, conveying information without filler or pretentiousness. Reviewers find it sharp and refined, never tiring the reader.
- Well-Paced Narrative (weight 0.23): The story pacing is consistently described as smooth, well-balanced, and never boring, keeping players engaged throughout. Reviewers appreciate the tight and controlled narrative flow.
- High Overall Quality (weight 0.21): Feedback repeatedly describes the game as a polished, well-crafted masterpiece with excellent gameplay and evident care in its creation. It is widely regarded as high quality despite its short length.
- Excellent Value for Free (weight 0.21): Many reviewers highlight that the quality is unexpectedly high for a free game, with content volume sufficient to rival a full title. It is considered a strong and generous free offering.
- Decent and Engaging Story (weight 0.17): The story is generally viewed as good, interesting, and coherent, with smooth and engaging progression. Some describe it as above average or okay, but most find it enjoyable.
- Strong Wuxia Atmosphere (weight 0.15): The game successfully delivers a strong wuxia flavor, with the audio and character art reinforcing the atmosphere. Fans of the wuxia/jianghu setting particularly appreciate this aspect.
- Engaging Story Leaves Wanting More (weight 0.12): The story is compelling enough that players are left eager for the continuation after the to-be-continued ending. Many note the narrative is engaging until the very end.
- Enjoyable Trio Dynamic (weight 0.09): The interactions among the three main characters are frequently highlighted as cute, appealing, and enjoyable. The group setup adds charm to the experience.
- Meaningful Choice System (weight 0.09): Choices meaningfully affect the story direction and lead to different branches and endings, adding depth and replay value. Reviewers note that decisions impact both plot and character personalities.
- Clean Minimal UI (weight 0.09): The user interface is described as clean, concise, and stylish, with a minimal ink-wash design that enhances the overall aesthetic. Reviewers find it clear and unobtrusive.

Common complaints:
- Unfinished story cliffhanger (weight 0.3): Many players report that the story ends abruptly on a cliffhanger with 'to be continued', leaving major plot threads unresolved. Several note that later chapters are not yet available, which makes the experience feel incomplete.
- Interrogation mechanics confusing (weight 0.19): Players find the interrogation sections hard to understand, especially the timer and option behavior. They are unsure which questions yield information or trigger conclusions, and the pace often feels too fast.
- Unclear deduction correctness (weight 0.17): Players cannot tell whether their deductions or arrests were correct because the game gives no confirmation. This lack of feedback leaves them unsure about case outcomes.
- Similar character faces (weight 0.16): Several reviewers note that character portraits, especially male faces, look too similar and are hard to tell apart. This causes face blindness and makes it difficult to distinguish the protagonist from other characters.
- Bugs present (weight 0.12): Multiple players report encountering various small bugs during play. A specific progress-blocking bug in chapter three's warehouse remains unfixed.
- Missing or quiet BGM (weight 0.12): Many players report that background music is often absent, too quiet, or disappears after scene changes. This weakens the atmosphere, especially during text-heavy sections.
- Interrogation timer too short (weight 0.11): The time limit during interrogations feels too short for players to think carefully. Some also note that the second option can auto-select before they can react.
- Auto-play too fast (weight 0.09): The interrogation section auto-plays dialogue and options too quickly, sometimes advancing before the player finishes reading. Players also note there is no speed adjustment for auto-play.
- Interrogation lacks logic (weight 0.07): Interrogation feels vague and relies on threats rather than evidence or logic, with no room for player input. Players feel like they are choosing a culprit at random.
- Skill checks feel inconsequential (weight 0.07): Failed skill checks seem to have little effect on the later story, and dice outcomes rarely impact the narrative. This makes the mechanics feel unrewarding.
- Choice anxiety (weight 0.04): Players worry about missing choices or making wrong decisions, which causes anxiety. Many choices are passed by without being selected.
- Notes system overwhelming (weight 0.04): As notes accumulate, they become too numerous to quickly find the needed clue. The note system becomes confusing when there is a lot of information.
- Weak evidence chain (weight 0.04): The deduction process lacks strongly supported evidence and visible logical support. Players feel there is no clear murderer, logic, or decisive evidence.
- Limited branching differentiation (weight 0.04): Choices do not significantly change the story, and the game remains fairly linear. Players expect more meaningful branching from their decisions.
- Critical failures frustrating (weight 0.04): Repeatedly rolling -1 (critical failure) at key moments makes players doubt themselves and feel helpless. The randomness feels punishing without meaningful payoff.
- Too few save slots (weight 0.04): Players report that there are too few save slots available. This limits their ability to manage multiple playthroughs or experiment with choices.
- Text too large (weight 0.04): Some players find the text size relatively too large, with too much text displayed at once. This can make reading feel cluttered.

Gameplay feedback:
- Deduction and evidence investigation (weight 0.38): Feedback consistently highlights deduction, reasoning, and evidence-gathering as core gameplay. Players search for clues and work through case investigations.
- Wuxia detective mystery theme (weight 0.36): Players repeatedly describe the game as a wuxia/jianghu-themed detective and case-solving experience. The ancient Chinese setting and mystery deduction are central to how the game is presented.
- Tabletop RPG mechanics (weight 0.34): Players describe TRPG-style elements such as stat allocation and dice-roll checks. These mechanics add a tabletop feel to the investigation and deduction.
- Choice-based branching dialogue (weight 0.32): Dialogue choices are frequently mentioned, including options that are repeatable, one-time, or conversation-ending. Choices are seen as affecting story direction and which clues are encountered.
- Interrogation scenes with time pressure (weight 0.29): Interrogation segments are a recurring feature, often with a short countdown timer for selecting responses. This time limit shapes how players approach questioning suspects.
- Text-based interactive novel format (weight 0.27): The game is widely characterized as a text adventure, interactive novel, or visual novel driven by narrative text. Story presentation and reading are the primary mode of play.
- Story delivered in chapters (weight 0.16): The narrative is divided into a prologue and multiple chapters, with the story only partially concluded so far. Chapter-based progression structures the experience.
- Story-driven character narrative (weight 0.09): Gameplay is largely story-focused, with a character-centered narrative and suspense elements. The continuing story is a major draw for players.
- Hidden branches and multiple endings (weight 0.08): The game is noted to contain branching story variations and multiple endings. Some branches are described as hidden, encouraging replay and exploration.
- Puzzle-solving content included (weight 0.07): Several players mention interactive puzzle-solving as part of the game. Puzzles complement the deduction and investigation gameplay.

Performance notes:
- Game freezes and crashes (weight 0.06): The game becomes unresponsive with a gray screen after launch, and pressing Esc multiple times can cause freezes and crashes. Crashing also occurs during saving in chapter three.
- Frequent stuttering during gameplay (weight 0.05): Players experience occasional stutters and sometimes frequent stuttering, which can disrupt the experience. This appears to be a common performance issue.
- Technical issues on macOS (weight 0.04): Players report black bars around the window in windowed mode on macOS, and some older PCs may struggle with narrow system requirements. These issues affect visual presentation and compatibility.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for wuxia fans (weight 0.13): The game is strongly recommended for fans of Chinese wuxia and ancient-style settings. Reviewers note the wuxia flavor and jianghu narratives as major draws.
- Strongly recommended overall (weight 0.13): A large number of reviewers give the game a strong positive recommendation without reservations. They describe it as an excellent work that everyone should experience.
- Worth paying full price (weight 0.11): Multiple reviewers say the game is worth buying in a paid full version and would pay for it if charged. Some would also support paid DLC or a sequel.
- Must-try for TRPG fans (weight 0.1): Reviewers repeatedly state that fans of tabletop RPGs and text-based games should not miss this title. The tabletop mechanics and text-driven format are highlighted as key appeals.
- Worth playing, no regrets (weight 0.08): Several reviewers state the game is truly worth playing and that you will not regret trying it. It is described as a satisfying experience.
- Great for detective game fans (weight 0.06): Reviewers recommend the game to players who enjoy detective games and detective novels. The deduction and mystery elements are frequently praised.
- Recommended to friends (weight 0.06): Reviewers express that they would recommend the game to friends and encourage more players to try it. Word-of-mouth recommendation is a common theme.
- Positive review at quality level (weight 0.06): Several reviewers give a positive rating and say the game is worth recommending at its quality level. The overall assessment is favorable.
- Support developer's future work (weight 0.06): Some reviewers express a desire to support the developer's future releases and would buy the author's next game. They encourage the developer to keep making games.
- Accessible and easy to play (weight 0.04): One reviewer notes the game is accessible enough that even players who consider themselves unintelligent can play it. It is also recommended for those who are bored and want something to try.
- Fans of genre will enjoy (weight 0.02): Reviewers note that players who already enjoy this type of game will likely enjoy this one as well. It is a safe recommendation for genre enthusiasts.
- Play after completion for coherence (weight 0.02): One reviewer suggests playing the game after it is completed for a more coherent experience. This implies the current version may have pacing or narrative issues.
- Suitable for calm, slow-paced players (weight 0.02): The game is recommended for players who prefer calm, slow-paced experiences and may get nervous easily. It offers a relaxed pace without action pressure.
- Good for novel reading fans (weight 0.02): Reviewers say the game is highly suitable for people who enjoy reading novels. The heavy text and narrative focus appeal to book lovers.
- Not for action or bright graphics (weight 0.02): One reviewer notes the game is not suitable for those looking for action, bright graphics, or instant gameplay without immersion in text. It requires patience and reading.
- Deduction seekers may leave (weight 0.02): A reviewer warns that if you are looking for a pure deduction game, you can leave. The deduction elements may not be the main focus or may be lighter than expected.
- Prologue-based recommendation (weight 0.02): One reviewer recommends the game based on playing the prologue. The positive impression from the early section led to a full recommendation.
- Negative review from free game regret (weight 0.02): A single reviewer advises against playing free games and regrets playing this one. This is an isolated negative opinion contrasting with the majority.

Other player notes:
- Story remains incomplete (weight 0.42): Many reviewers note the narrative is released in chapters and the final half or conclusion is still pending. They describe the current content as ending around chapter three or covering only the first half of the planned story.
- Future updates and chapters expected (weight 0.25): Reviewers anticipate further chapter releases and content updates, with many stating they look forward to the continuation of the story. Some mention the developer plans a second half update.
- Free but paid-quality game (weight 0.18): Reviewers repeatedly highlight that the game is free to play despite offering production quality comparable to paid titles. This generosity is a major positive theme across feedback.
- Compared to Ace Attorney (weight 0.14): The case-solving style, chapter structure, and play style are frequently compared to Ace Attorney, with some calling it an ancient-styled version. One mention also compares gameplay feel to Disco Elysium.
- Solo indie developer praised (weight 0.11): The game was created by a single independent developer as a passion project. Reviewers acknowledge this and express admiration for the achievement.
- Short playtime of a few hours (weight 0.08): Current content can be completed in roughly three to four hours, with the first few chapters taking about four hours or a full playthrough around three hours.
- Reviewers willing to pay for DLC (weight 0.08): Some reviewers express a desire to financially support the developer and state they would buy paid DLC or future content for the story.
- Minimalist ink-wash art style (weight 0.05): Reviewers describe the visuals as a minimalist top-down hand-drawn ink-wash style, which contributes to the game's distinctive atmosphere.
- Favorable comparison to other text games (weight 0.04): The writing is compared favorably to most other free text games the reviewer has played, indicating strong narrative quality.
- Prologue and first chapter available (weight 0.04): The current build includes a prologue and at least chapter one, though content is limited beyond that.
- Niche title with small scope (weight 0.04): Reviewers characterize the game as a niche title with a small overall scope, which may affect its appeal but is not necessarily negative.
- Developer releases updates quickly (weight 0.04): The solo developer is noted for issuing bug patches and updates promptly, which reviewers view positively.

Emotions:
- Anticipation (weight 0.14): Reviewers consistently express eagerness for future story updates and the completion of the unfinished narrative. Many are invested in the plot's mysteries, character backgrounds, and the resolution of the cliffhanger ending, hoping the developer will release subsequent chapters soon.
- Frustration (weight 0.1): Frustration stems from numerous technical issues, including bugs with saves, triggers, and text, as well as an unfinished story that ends abruptly. Players also struggle with the interrogation timer, unclear deduction mechanics, and inconvenient save systems that hinder progress.
- Confusion (weight 0.07): Players are confused by unclear interrogation mechanics, stat allocation, and dice roll systems that lack proper explanation or feedback. The ambiguity of case outcomes and the absence of confirmation on correct judgments leave reviewers unsure whether they are playing correctly.
- Admiration (weight 0.07): Admiration is driven by the high-quality writing, beautiful ink-wash art style, and well-crafted characters. Reviewers praise the author's aesthetic sense, storytelling skill, and the cohesive integration of art, music, and narrative.
- Appreciation (weight 0.06): Players appreciate the well-integrated text, art, and deduction gameplay, along with the authentic wuxia atmosphere and thoughtful details. The game's polished presentation and high-quality writing, especially for a free title, are frequently highlighted.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): Enjoyment arises from the engaging story, appealing art style, and fun blend of tabletop RPG mechanics with wuxia detective gameplay. The humorous character interactions and immersive atmosphere contribute significantly to the overall fun experience.
- Disappointment (weight 0.04): Disappointment is primarily caused by the game being unfinished and ending on a cliffhanger after chapter three. Other issues include limited stat progression, lack of meaningful consequences for choices, and visual similarities among characters.
- Excitement (weight 0.03): Excitement is generated by the novel combination of wuxia, tabletop RPG, and detective elements, along with the gripping plot and stylish art. The immersive gameplay and intriguing mysteries keep players highly engaged.
- Curiosity (weight 0.03): Curiosity centers on unresolved plot threads, such as the truth behind cases, character backgrounds like Gongsun Wang's secrets, and the consequences of different choices. Players are eager to uncover hidden mysteries and understand how their decisions affect the story.
- Eagerness (weight 0.03): Eagerness reflects the strong desire for more content, including story updates, a sequel, and the complete version. Reviewers are deeply invested and want to continue the narrative as soon as possible.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.03): Satisfaction comes from the well-structured plot with foreshadowing payoffs, logical reasoning, and high-quality art and writing. The meaningful choices and overall polished experience leave players feeling fulfilled.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.03): Enthusiasm is shown through strong recommendations for the game and a willingness to support the developer financially. Players enjoy the immersive wuxia deduction experience and find it more fun than many paid games.
- Immersion (weight 0.03): Immersion is achieved through vivid scene descriptions, gripping writing, and atmospheric elements like music and art that make players feel present in the investigation. The choice-driven narrative and detailed case reports enhance the sense of involvement.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Surprise is mainly due to the high quality of the game being offered for free, exceeding expectations for a free title. The unexpected inclusion of TRPG dice mechanics and the length of the routes also contribute.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Amusement stems from the humorous character interactions, especially the banter between the protagonist and Gongsun Wang, and the quirky dialogue options. The playful dynamics and comedic moments lighten the tone.
- Delight (weight 0.01): Delight is caused by the distinctive art style, fitting music, and charming character designs. The immersive wuxia atmosphere and strong writing create a pleasant and memorable experience.
- Impatience (weight 0.01): Impatience is driven by the desire for faster updates and the continuation of the story, especially after the cliffhanger ending. Players are eager to play new chapters as soon as they are released.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): Sadness arises from the sudden death of a character, the removal of a mysterious figure, and the lack of continuation. The emotional weight of the story and the desire for more content contribute to this feeling.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance is caused by technical issues such as bugs, an inconvenient UI, slow auto-play speed, and manual date entry requirements. Repeated dialogue and missing log entries also disrupt the experience.
- Fondness (weight 0.01): Fondness is felt for the appealing character designs and personalities, particularly Gongsun Wang and the trio's dynamics. The relaxing deduction gameplay and familiar TRPG systems also endear the game to players.}