Dive into a Vacation Murder Mystery with The Mermaid Mask
The Mermaid Mask, the latest point-and-click adventure from the creators of Tangle Tower, delivers an engaging murder mystery experience. The story kicks off with a gripping premise: the captain of a submarine is discovered dead in a locked room, his body lying next to a mysterious cauldron with blood pooling on the floor. The diverse cast of suspects aboard the sub adds to the intrigue, featuring a cantankerous author struggling to write a sequel to his bestseller, an actor starring in a film adaptation of that book, a young woman known for her elaborate illusion shows, and a dream researcher. The submarine setting enhances the mystery—how does a locked-door murder occur in such a confined space?
Similar to other crime-solving titles, The Mermaid Mask functions as a visual novel. You step into the shoes of Detective Grimoire and his partner Sally, the returning duo from Tangle Tower. Your main tasks involve conversing with suspects, exploring rooms, examining objects, and solving puzzles. Each room is filled with hidden details and items to investigate, ensuring there’s always something to discover.
The game features outstanding voice acting, which encourages exploration; I often clicked on everything just to hear the characters’ reactions. The puzzles, which include tasks like adjusting dials or arranging skulls on a shelf, effectively break up the dialogue-heavy sections.
Even without prior experience with Tangle Tower, I found the narrative accessible. The Mermaid Mask follows a familiar formula seen in other detective stories, allowing newcomers to jump right in without missing key information. Grimoire and Sally are enjoyable characters, and their interactions include nods to their past adventures.
As you gather evidence, you’ll confront suspects in sequences reminiscent of Ace Attorney, where you can make observations or accusations that catch them off guard. These moments are incredibly satisfying, especially when you uncover a small detail that shatters a suspect’s facade. I eagerly anticipated each opportunity to engage in these confrontations.
I did encounter a few common issues typical of this genre. Presenting every clue to every suspect for their reactions can become tedious. I only realized halfway through my 10-hour playthrough that the hint system could guide me on what to show. Sometimes, you need to present evidence in a specific order, even if you already know where it leads, to keep the dialogue flowing as intended. There were moments when I ran out of leads and struggled to progress until I manipulated a clue in a particular way that opened up new paths. More than once, I had to guess my way forward when I couldn’t pinpoint the exact clue needed to advance.
These obstacles were frustrating, primarily because they interrupted my immersion in a story that kept me up late into the night. When I reached the game’s climax, which features a classic murder mystery parlor scene, I found it hard to put my Steam Deck down, eager to see how everything would unfold. After a three-day binge, finishing The Mermaid Mask felt like closing the final chapter of a captivating murder mystery novel.
The Mermaid Mask is now available on Nintendo Switch, PC, and PS5.
