itch.io

I’m experimenting with a browser-based detective game where players can ask suspects their own questions instead of choosing from preset dialogue options.

One design problem I’m thinking about is fairness. If the dialogue is free-form, players might uncover hidden facts in many different ways, but the game still needs to make the mystery feel solvable rather than random.

For other narrative or mystery game developers: how would you decide when a clue should unlock? Should it depend on exact topics, suspicious contradictions, repeated questioning, or something else?

I have a small public alpha on itch.io, but I’m mainly interested in discussing the design problem here.

Hi everyone, I just released the public alpha of Everyone's a Detective, a browser-based detective game built around free-form interrogation.

Instead of choosing from fixed dialogue options, you can ask suspects your own questions. The suspects and the Host respond through AI-driven dialogue, and the case dossier updates as you uncover hidden facts, unlock clues, and prepare your final report.

The current public alpha includes the first playable case, Secret on the Midnight Train. I’m especially looking for feedback on whether the interrogation feels fair, whether the clues are clear enough, and whether the final accusation flow makes sense.

Playable here:

https://mmjuns.itch.io/everyones-a-detective-alpha

Thanks for trying it!