By Alex Ding
Amidst the vast array of gaming options available today (AAA, mobile, MMO, MOBA) etc… I sometimes have had a hard time finding time to explore a relatively stand-alone, short puzzle indie game such as “The Case of the Golden Idol.” However, having spent quite a long time fully completing the game and delving into both its story narrative and its game mechanics, I can say that “The Case of the Golden Idol” has excelled at a couple main points that I want to write about in my blog post. The first point is allowing the player itself to solve the mystery using an unique omnipresent POV that I haven’t yet seen in other detective-like video games. The second point is its attention to detail in its narrative which goes above and beyond in building the fantasy world inspired by late 18th century Europe. The unique narrative and storytelling which allowed me to fully be immersed in the game’s story, which in turn helped me solve the identities and actions of certain characters in the story. Furthermore, I want to expound on these strengths and introduce some criticisms to fully flesh out why I think that this game is so well done and yet capable of improvement.
Unique POV:
In “The Case of the Golden Idol,” after loading up and starting the game, I was immediately shown a murder case with a body lying on the water after having been pushed by another person. Here, the game explains its technical mechanics where one has to match words/names with blank words and pictures. Here, I played as the omnipresent detective without a name or a face, which allowed for the discovery of otherwise private clues and facts that couldn’t have been found if the neutral detective was in the game’s narrative, for example, like searching through dead people’s bags and purses and finding hidden letters or even hidden people. Thus “The Case of the Golden Idol” could be able to expand on what clues were in the scenes itself, without being limited by the detective’s bias or interference from other in-universe characters.
Additionally, unlike in other mystery games that I’ve played, I was forced to solve these mysteries without any direct help from other playable characters or the game itself. A mechanic that was of help was the “sparkable” clicks that turned yellow/red based on if you found the clue/word that could be identified by that object in the scene. Another game mechanic that helped make the game more accessible to players was the green/yellow/red “bar” at the top of the “Thinking” screen, which tells you if you are far away/almost there/perfect with the deductions present. I felt that this was extremely helpful as without the game narrative itself helping you with the mystery through other in-game characters talking with you through the mystery, that some sort of system that told you if you were correct or not was essential in order to gain a sense of progress towards these mysteries. What was instantly noticeable was the “Victory” music and disappearance of words when you got a section or the entire puzzle correct. Thus, the game rewards you with advancement which gives me and other players a sense of achievement after solving the mystery.
Attention to Detail:
“The Case of the Golden Idol” fleshes out the in-game universe extremely well which allowed for me to be fully immersed in the game. While the first few chapters of the game focus more on a micro perspective of a single murder or crime, the later chapters really shine for me in expanding what we have found in those first few scenes into how it affects the greater world. For me, I was most fascinated with being in this dystopian-like alternative history while trying to figure out the mystery of why several characters were killed. I was constantly reminded of allusions to Revolution-era France while playing the game with its Society of Virtues and its metering out of unpleasant punishments. The scene that I felt most fleshed out about was the judgements of several characters that were present in previous scenes being punished by the “main character/villain” in the lair of the secret societies/cult that was ever present in the game. Trying to figure out the roles of several characters in masks was extremely tough, yet rewarding as it greatly helped me find out why certain characters were against each other. The last mystery further expands on this feeling of expansion of world view that I felt earlier, having the mysteries’ scope be the entire city that the game took place in. This type of immersion would not be there usually for a less than 5-7 hour game, but “the case of the Golden Idol” gets you right there with its extremely detailed backgrounds and scenes.
Criticisms and ways to Improve:
One criticism that I had was the frustration I had when I was stuck in a puzzle. I was constantly clicking on clues that were already present in the word bank. The constant re-clicking was both tedious and sort of cut the continuous narrative up. I think some sort of refinement of that system would be great to make the game a bit smoother so that the narrative could flow a bit better. I think that the hint system could be much more refined so that it would be used more effectively.
Secondly, when I was at the end of the game, I was unenthused about there not being a grand ending/ scene that the main villain was in. The ending was underwhelming in my opinion and wrapped up the story in a way that felt was contrasting to the built up. I think that adding a DLC/extra chapters where the ending is more fleshed out and satisfying would be a way to fix what me and others are thinking when playing the ending chapter.
Conclusion:
“The Case of the Golden Idol” emerges as a remarkable fusion of puzzle-solving mechanics and narrative depth, captivating players with its unique perspective and attention to detail. Despite the plethora of gaming options available today, this indie gem stands out for its immersive world-building and engaging gameplay. While it’s not without its flaws, such as repetitive and sometimes frustrating interactions and a somewhat lackluster ending, the game’s strengths shine through, offering players a truly memorable experience. As I reflect on my journey through its mysteries, I’m left impressed by the game’s ability to transport me to a world filled with intrigue and suspense, solidifying its place as a standout title in the realm of indie puzzle gaming.
“The Case of the Golden Idol.” interview where the creators talk about its game development here: https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/case-of-the-golden-idol
Intermittent Mechanism 