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AaAAAAwRRIGHT!

Figure I've waited long enough, and there's enough of a buffer here so that people won't scroll down and get spoiled, even if just for the first chapters.

I'll be honest, the concept alone had my interest. But I just dig the execution, especially the way the partners rotate out. Obviously, nobody has more intellectual chops than Hackett - well, uh, some people might have more intellectual chops than Hackett... Most people...

But he can paint a scene like a melting gelatin animal on the backburner of a freighter truck.  (I tried.)

The elements are really well-integrated together; I especially like the biography system. But, with there being one for the Greeter... Could it be... That she's more than she appears?

Could it be... HACKETT WAS RIGHT, AND THIS IS ACTUALLY A ROMANTIC THRILLER BUDDY-COP

(He's gonna die. I feel like he hit at least twenty death flags this one run...)

Speaking of death flags, what was up with that look Coles gave the good(?) detective? Hrmn. HMN. I, myself, having many keen(??) instincts, can't help but wonder if... Coles was faking faking his ability to think of an answer. I mean, his intellect is listed as being so very high! Though, er, with that wit score...

Anyway, I don't trust him. Even if everyone in this game has really great taste in glasses, hats, headwear and general accessories. (Lucha-who-is-definitely-not-Spidermouth and Rows being two of my standouts. In fact, could it be that Rows and Sparks deserve a notch more likeability? Isn't that true of everyone?! My deductions are just off the chart, this morning!)

Speaking of which...  I deduce that Mouse...
I don't know how to put it, but his description, the bottom-right section of his graph...

My heart hurts. Could it be that this is what it truly feels to be a mystery fan... In a mystery...

All right, enough about the cast - I might follow-up with a bit on the Game-Masters later, or how I think Hackett'd be well-served by actually listening to George, his perfume being, strong or no, but - gameplay.

I really like that you can't fail these (early) puzzles unless you're actively trying to torpedo them. Whether you keep that for the future  or not, it's a great way to show off the partner detective and their thought process.

The puzzles themselves were very fun. The second one I got the moment I heard Mr. Ant and Mr. Disco, but that's because I've got a twisty mind or something. Gahaha!

Pretty much everything felt smooth; this might be your smoothest game yet. I stated it before, but the integration of the sound test, bios, everything just felt great. And I freakin' loved the title cards.

Since it seems - so far - to be mostly a linear novel, I felt the pacing was good, too. Nothing felt bogged down or drawn out. And I was VERY interested in what served as the ending point here... Actually being able to see some other people's handles on the screen may or may not be important, but it's a really cool little detail.

As you can probably tell, I enjoyed the hell out of it, definitely looking forward to more! One question for you, I've noticed I have the ability to leave reviews, here. Mind if I leave one now, or do you want me to wait until the conclusion?

Finally, 'cause it's tradition - favourite track is currently stuck between Sauntering Around and Investigatory Conjecture.