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There has been a murder. Richard Remington, the owner of the swampland tourist attraction Boggy's Bog, has been killed in the murky, mushy trenches outside his office. The only suspect to start is Boggy himself, the legendary swamp creature that inspired the creation of the vacation destination and who may or may not actually exist. As the eponymous Detective Grimoire, it's your job to explore Boggy's Bog, investigate the murder, and nab the culprit--human or myth. Players familiar with SFB Games' (formerly Super Flash Bros) 2007 of the same name will recognize the gameplay in Detective Grimoire. A simplified and streamlined point-and-click adventure, much of your investigation is spent traveling around the swamp, examining beautifully animated scenes, locating clues, and interrogating potential suspects. While both Detective Grimoire and its Flash inspiration revolve around solving a murder in an amusement park, this newest entry into Grimoire's case history presents an entirely new story, cast of characters, and challenges, as well as a different, larger, and more fleshed-out world. All of the dialogue is charmingly voiced, backstories are deeper, and mysteries more elusive. At the same time, Grimoire fans will be treated to playful nods to the original, from jabs at Officer James's facial hair to an uncanny red-headed sidekick. This successful combination of lighthearted jokes and a weighty murder mystery keeps Detective Grimoire consistently engrossing. While Grimoire finds himself in a variety of scenic-yet-creepy locations, from a darkened office lined with shadowy animal heads to a teetering bridge supporting one lone house, the mood of his investigation is upbeat and often humorous. His tone with suspects is more confused than accusatory, and their reactions are unperturbed caricatures. |