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Hi everyone! I'm Yuna.

I'm excited to share a game review from our very own CM Flint—a passionate Korean gamer known for his detailed analyzes and deep love for games. His insights are always so helpful, so I hope you'll enjoy reading his thoughts on Murders on the Yangtze River!  😊

Murders on the Yangtze River: Reviewed by CM Flint – STOVE Community Manager

Please note that the screenshots may contain Korean text.

"A fine work that skillfully combines the strengths of other detective games"

💎First impressions  

Compared to a decade ago, Chinese games are now regularly appearing in the Korean market. Online PC platforms feature open-world RPGs like Genshin Impact, Mingzhu, Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero , while mobile platforms showcase influential subculture games such as Arknights, Path to Nowhere, and Girls' Frontline 2.

This trend is no exception among indie games. On platforms like Stove, Chinese indie titles like Sands of Salzaar and Tale of Immortal appear regularly. 

Today's featured game, "Murders on the Yangtze River" is developed by Beijing-based Omegames Studio.  

Honestly, I don't particularly enjoy Chinese indie games. I tend to have preconceived notions about poor-quality animations, similar character artwork, and artificially inflated game length. Initially, I had these biases about this game as well.

However, those biases quickly disappeared shortly after I began playing. Today's review highlights an excellent Chinese detective game (in a good sense): "Murders on the Yangtze River"

※     This  review may contain minor spoilers from the game's early sections.

⌚  Gameplay   

“Originality and fun are separate matters”

An opening video that showcases stunning visuals right from the start

The game begins with an elaborate opening sequence in Chinese. The bloody crime scene, a young man investigating clues, and the impressive sequence connecting these clues made quite an impression. Unfortunately, such high-quality cinematics appear only at the game's start. Perhaps indie development constraints limited further cinematics, but it still feels somewhat regrettable.

The protagonist's visuals are equally striking—convincing enough to believe it's an otome game...

The protagonist's appearance immediately caught my attention upon starting the game. It's rare to see male characters designed this attractively. Even female-oriented visual novels rarely feature characters appealing to my tastes this strongly; Visually, the protagonist definitely stands out.

Although neither the genre nor illustrations explicitly indicate a female-oriented game, it could easily be mistaken for a new otome game from a single trailer screenshot.

Frankly, for a mystery game released this year, the story feels rather simple—even considering it's just Chapter 1

Let's briefly discuss the story without spoilers.  In Chapter 1, the protagonist visits a certain writer and suddenly collapses. Upon awakening, he finds a bloodied knife in his hand and is immediately suspected of murder by investigators who storm in. Before their entry, the door had been locked from the inside - clearly a locked-room scenario.

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The locked-room trope may feel a bit clichéd these days

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The locked-room premise is common in detective games and mystery manga. Even in the Ace Attorney series, locked-room cases appear frequently. They're also staples in classic manga like Detective Conan, Kindaichi Case Files, and the slightly lesser-known QED. At first, the locked-room premise seemed stale for a modern detective game.

Investigators who, despite expectations, readily accept surprisingly logical reasoning

Surprisingly, what didn't feel stale were the investigators, thanks to the Qing dynasty China setting. Though bureaucrats are often accused as corrupt in dramas and media, typically prioritizing social maneuvering over logical reasoning, here the investigators generously accept statements from a murder suspect and even hire him to solve the case - quite an interesting twist.

Moreover, I was pleasantly surprised by their logical approach and demand for solid evidence.

The system of investigating the scene and uncovering clues has become almost a cliché in mystery games

To convince such rational investigators, you must present clear evidence by thoroughly investigating the scene - a common yet undeniably thrilling method in detective games.

“Though deducing the case from clues is a standard method, the thrill of deduction itself is undeniable.”

Being common doesn't mean it's boring. Solving emerging questions with newly discovered clues and following this logical progression provides unique satisfaction difficult to find in other genres.

The opportunities to present evidence are not unlimited

If random evidence presentation were allowed during deductions, the fun would quickly diminish. Thus, randomly presenting evidence without understanding the story doesn't work here - unless you rely on the save & load tactic, which we'll treat as an exception.

The number of times you can present evidence is limited, requiring a decent grasp of the overall case. Players familiar with the Ace Attorney series will find this system familiar and satisfying.

Being able to dress up the protagonist to match your taste is a major advantage in this game

Now, let's briefly look at elements outside deduction.

Personally, I enjoyed the feature allowing outfit customization for the protagonist. While changing outfits risks breaking immersion, seeing your favorite character in various looks outweighs this concern.

With illustrations and descriptions reminiscent of old Chinese texts, the game effectively conveys the atmosphere of late Qing Dynasty China

As you progress, you may acquire clues or knowledge. This aspect differs from pure deduction. Since the protagonist operates in historical settings like China, players unfamiliar with the context may lack necessary background knowledge.

To assist, developers implemented a knowledge acquisition system providing historical context and explanations, benefiting players unfamiliar with Chinese culture. Though not critical, this thoughtful consideration enhances player experience.

📌  Game Review   

"Highly recommended for detective game lovers Even if it's not your style, it's worth a quick try..."

As mentioned earlier, Chinese indie games increasingly appear in the Korean market, often leveraging successful mechanics from other games.

Borrowing successful features from other games can significantly backfire if integration isn't executed well. However, "Murders on the Yangtze River" skillfully integrates familiar systems, such as evidence presentation, clue collection, and deduction processes, enhancing overall gameplay.

Ultimately, "The Yangtze River Murder Case" successfully delivers the joy of mystery-solving through tried-and-true mechanics.

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How did you like today's game review? We'd love to help you enjoy your gaming life.

If you're curious, definitely check it out—and let us know your thoughts, too!  😊

We'll see you around.

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