The Game Maker: A Carol Reed Mystery
Follow detective Carol Reed in this colorful mystery, made with real-life photographs. The game features a classic adventure game interface, plenty of puzzles, and a series of minigames as an integrated part of the story.
Eager to make some money for her upcoming vacation, Carol agrees to help Dalton Johnson to investigate the recent disappearance of his wife, Daria. Carol’s investigation soon reveals that an elusive video game designer seems to have a very hostile attitude towards Daria. In a series of eccentric video games, the game designer is taking responsibility for three recent brutal murders: Three men who were sedated, strangled, and placed in public locations with their hands tied behind their backs.
Carol meets several vibrant characters throughout the game that help her on her quest. Some are less agreeable though, and it’s not always obvious who can be trusted. Over the course of the game, Carol visits over 40 locations, which are easily accessible through the game map. She also has to solve various puzzles, both inventory based, and based on information that can be collected in the game. Completing puzzles will progress the story, open up new locations, or reveal important information.
The game features an entirely mouse-driven classic adventure game interface. You collect inventory items, which can be accessed and used with a single mouse operation. Information gathered about persons of interest is documented on the game’s notice board, that can be accessed through the inventory. The game can be saved and loaded at any moment, but is also automatically saved when the game is exited.
If you get stuck, the game has a two-tiered hint system that covers every possible action in the game. Carol keeps it in her journal that she always carries in the inventory.
The game has no quick time events that require fast reflexes, and you can’t die in the game.
The story takes place in Sweden, but the game is entirely in English.
The game is navigated in a slide show format that consists of over 2,000 real-life photographs, using basic icons with which you can look at, pick up, and interact with objects. The game opens up with an easy-to-follow tutorial, which demonstrates all possible actions.