In this first-person mystery game, players step into the role of an insurance adjuster tasked with investigating the reappearance of the merchant ship "Obra Dinn." The vessel mysteriously drifts into a London harbor in 1807, years after being declared lost at sea with all hands. The core objective is to board the ship and uncover the fate of its entire crew, a task presented with a distinctive 1-bit graphical style that contributes to a unique visual and atmospheric experience.

The gameplay loop centers on exploration and deduction. Players utilize a special pocket watch to revisit the final moments of deceased crew members, piecing together fragmented scenes of their demise. The ultimate goal is to identify each of the sixty individuals aboard the ship and determine the cause of their death.

The Premise and Setting

The narrative begins in 1802 when the merchant ship "Obra Dinn" departs from London for the Orient. Six months later, it fails to reach its scheduled rendezvous and is presumed lost. In October 1807, the ship reappears, its sails damaged and its decks devoid of any crew. As an insurance adjuster for the East India Company, the player's mission is to board this vessel, retrieve the Crew Muster Roll, and investigate the circumstances surrounding its disappearance and the fate of its passengers and crew.

Unique Gameplay Mechanics

The central mechanic is the Memento Mortem pocket watch. When a corpse is discovered, activating this watch allows the player to witness the final moments of that individual's life, presented as a frozen tableau. These spectral reenactments offer visual clues, snippets of dialogue, and environmental details. It is through these fragmented memories that players must deduce the identity of each person and the manner of their death.

Deduction and Identification

The primary challenge involves connecting these fleeting glimpses of the past with the ship's manifest and the limited information available. Players must carefully observe details within the reenactments, such as clothing, distinguishing features, and the context of the events, to correctly identify individuals and their fates. The gameplay encourages meticulous observation and logical reasoning.

What Makes This Game Stand Out?

The game's distinctive 1-bit monochrome aesthetic is a defining characteristic, creating a stark and atmospheric presentation that enhances the mystery. The gameplay loop of exploration, observation, and deduction offers a cerebral challenge that is both engaging and rewarding.

Game Information

This is a main game, released in 2018. It is a single-player experience.

Available Platforms

It is available on PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

Genres and Type

The game falls under the Puzzle, Adventure, and Indie genres.

Additional Content

There are currently no DLCs or expansions available for this game.