This is a main game that places players in the role of Paul Prospero, an occult detective who travels to the secluded Red Creek Valley after receiving a disturbing letter from a young boy named Ethan Carter. Upon arrival, Paul discovers that Ethan has vanished amidst a series of unsettling events and a brutal murder. The core experience revolves around using both conventional and supernatural detective skills to unravel the mystery of Ethan's disappearance and the dark secrets of the valley. The game was initially released in 2014 and is available on PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, falling into the puzzle, adventure, and indie genres.

Story and Setting

The narrative unfolds in the picturesque yet ominous Red Creek Valley, Wisconsin, in 1973. As Paul Prospero, players are drawn into a community shrouded in mystery and paranormal occurrences. The atmosphere is a significant element, blending serene natural beauty with an underlying sense of dread and unease. The story progresses through environmental storytelling and the discovery of fragmented clues, encouraging players to piece together the events that led to Ethan's vanishing.

Unique Gameplay Mechanics

What sets this game apart is its emphasis on non-linear investigation and supernatural abilities. Players can revisit crime scenes and use Paul's psychic powers to visualize past events, reconstructing moments of violence and tragedy. This mechanic allows for a deeply immersive detective experience, where understanding the sequence and context of events is crucial to solving the puzzles. The game encourages exploration and observation, with players needing to find all the clues to progress the narrative and understand the full scope of what has transpired.

How do you investigate in this game?

Investigation involves exploring the environment, interacting with objects, and collecting evidence. The key mechanic is the ability to trigger and observe visual re-enactments of past events using psychic visions. Players must then arrange these visions in the correct chronological order to understand the sequence of actions and motivations, ultimately leading to the solution of each mystery.

Available Content

The base game offers a complete narrative experience. There is one downloadable content (DLC) available for this title. No expansions or remakes have been released, though a remaster is available, offering updated visuals and performance enhancements for modern platforms.

Platforms and Release Year

This main game was initially released in 2014. It is currently playable on:

PlayStation 4
PC (Microsoft Windows)
Xbox One
Nintendo Switch

What makes this game unique?

The game's uniqueness lies in its atmospheric storytelling and its innovative approach to puzzle-solving through psychic investigation. It prioritizes narrative immersion and player agency in piecing together a complex mystery, offering a contemplative and engaging experience that relies on observation and deduction rather than combat or traditional action mechanics.