I finally took a plunge into the intriguing world of 2022’s Case of the Golden Idol, a mystery game that throws you right into a fresh murder scene.
This game pulls you through screens full of clues, nudging you to solve puzzles with logic and sharp observation. Early on, it felt like a breeze, but soon enough, it demanded every ounce of my brainpower. The initial cases were quick, maybe 10 to 25 minutes tops, yet the last one stretched on like a never-ending night. My mind was a whirl of suspects and motives, and even though I stumbled plenty, I eventually pieced together the mystery. The end was tough, but I loved every bit of it.
Talking about Case of the Golden Idol reminds me how much 2024’s top games made me feel the same mix of frustration and joy. Games like Animal Well, Rise of the Golden Idol, and Lorelei and the Laser Eyes come packed with mind-bending puzzles that left my head spinning. Even though I banged my head against these challenges, I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything. Sometimes, people just love getting lost in a game.
In Rise of the Golden Idol, the sequel, I found myself constantly mixing up names and missing small but crucial details in the beautifully crafted worlds. The game was full of surprises, and its complexity often caught me off guard. Despite the frustration, it ended up being one of my favorites because it challenged me at every turn.
Rise of the Golden Idol’s tricky cases pushed me to rethink my conclusions. One memorable case involved a man cleaning a bloody shirt in an apartment building. I assumed he was the culprit, but the game quickly shattered my assumptions, forcing me to dig deeper for the truth. It was all about making real deductions, not just following obvious clues.
Many of this year’s favorite games refused to spoon-feed solutions. Animal Well, for example, is full of secrets I might never uncover. It’s both frustrating and exciting because, unlike games with easy guides, it feels like an endless mystery waiting to be explored. I wander through its dark caves, poking at its strange wonders, never quite knowing what I’ll find.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes might be the most puzzling of them all. Each door hides a new puzzle, and hidden messages lurk in its low-poly video game screens. Dialogue is cryptic, and notes are encrypted, leading to hidden mazes. This game doesn’t hold back, demanding players rise to its level to unlock its mysteries.
I love how these games give me room to explore and think. Nowadays, games often have too many hints and tutorials, making it hard to get lost in them. There’s been a lot of talk about “yellow paint” guiding players in games, which can be good or bad. But I feel like games hold our hands too much, losing the thrill of discovery. Different game types have different needs, but I hope more developers take inspiration from these puzzle games to create experiences that spark wonder and exploration.
I always think back to The Legend of Zelda and its hidden bomb walls. On the NES, these walls looked like any other, hiding secrets players had to find by experimenting. Dropping bombs on specific spots revealed hidden treasures. It must have been maddening, but it pushed players to be clever, rewarding them with incredible surprises.
Not enough games today challenge us like they used to. That’s why these three games feel so refreshing. While many games lead me from one spectacle to another, these titles made me an active participant, not just a spectator. Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, Animal Well, and Rise of the Golden Idol each have their own style, yet they share a belief in the player’s abilities. I hope future games, no matter their style or size, take a page from these gems and bring back the magic of exploration and discovery.
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