The Mystery Cartridge

  Heart of the Woods Review A quiet change of pace that proves a mystery doesn't always need a murder Platform: Nintendo Switch Genre: Visual Novel / Fantasy / Romance Developer:  Studio Elan Publisher:  Sekai Games (I played the physical cartridge release by Limited Run Games) Approximate Playtime: 8 hours Players: Bradley — Solo Case Category: 🛋 Palette Cleanser 🗂 The Mystery Cartridge Verdict OPEN THE FILE — RECOMMENDED Sometimes, after spending hours investigating murders, uncovering conspiracies, surviving haunted hotels, or trying to determine why everyone in a town is acting suspiciously, you need something a little different. That was where Heart of the Woods came in. This was very much a palette cleanser for me. Amanda was visiting family in Florida, and I had just finished Xenoblade Chronicles X , so I was looking for something considerably less demanding to play on my own. I found myself playing a visual novel about friendship, romance, magic, and the ...

  INSIDE Review (Nintendo Switch) "You don't know who you are. You don't know where you are. You only know one thing: keep moving." Case File Platform Reviewed: Nintendo Switch Genre: Puzzle Platformer / Atmospheric Adventure Developer: Playdead Publisher: Playdead Players: Single Player Play Time: Approximately 5–7 Hours Investigation Type 👤 Solo Case This review is based on a solo playthrough by Bradley. While many of our reviews are shared experiences, some mysteries are investigated alone. The Mystery Cartridge Verdict 🗂 Open the File — Recommended A haunting, beautifully designed journey that says very little—and somehow tells you everything. INSIDE is one of the best examples of environmental storytelling in modern gaming. The Premise Actually... Let's start by saying what INSIDE isn't. It isn't interested in lengthy cutscenes. It doesn't stop to explain the world. Nobody hands you a mission briefing. There are no exposition dumps. Inst...

Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express (2023) Review (Nintendo Switch) "One train. One murder. A dozen suspects. One unforgettable night." Case File Platform Reviewed: Nintendo Switch Genre: Narrative Adventure / Detective Mystery Developer: Microids Studio Lyon Publisher: Microids Players: Single Player (Outstanding Couch Investigation Game) Play Time: Approximately 10–12 Hours The Mystery Cartridge Verdict 🔎 Case Closed — Essential Play A loving modernization of one of the greatest detective stories ever written, enhanced with original material that surprised us in all the right ways. If you enjoy detective fiction, this ticket is worth punching. First-Time Detective? Before we begin, there's one important thing you should know. We went into Murder on the Orient Express almost completely blind. Neither of us had read Agatha Christie's novel. Neither of us had seen the modern film adaptation. Other than recognizing the title as one of the most famous m...

Unsolved Case Files: Murder on the Space Station Review "One small step for mankind. One giant leap into murder." Case File Publisher: Unsolved Case Files Category: Tabletop Murder Mystery / Case File Game Players: 1–8 (Best with 2–4) Play Time: Approximately 2–4 Hours The Mystery Cartridge Verdict 🔎 Case Closed — Essential Play If you enjoy detective stories, true crime documentaries, or piecing together clues with someone sitting across the table, Murder on the Space Station is an excellent way to spend an evening. Just don't forget your reading glasses. Beyond the Cartridge While most of our reviews focus on video games, every now and then we make an exception. Why? Because a great mystery is still a great mystery, whether you're holding a controller, flipping through evidence folders, or spreading photographs and witness statements across the dining room table. That's exactly what Unsolved Case Files delivers. Instead of exploring digital hallways, you...