I love noir mysteries and puzzle games. The Agatha Christie games from Microids are solid examples of this, as are the Duck Detective games. Now, a new game has joined the roster of my regular mystery rotation. Feline Forensics and the Meowseum Mystery is an adorable mystery game that offers a challenging set of investigation mechanics while also being accessible for younger players.

In Feline Forensics, you play a hard-boiled Feline detective who is everything you’d expect him to be. He drinks a little too much (milk), he focuses on the details, and he always gets his perpetrator. When the phone rings at the Feline Forensics department, it is time to step out of the office and put those toe-beans to work.

The work is primarily what you would expect from a game like this. You talk to suspects, investigate the crime scene, and collect evidence to come to a conclusion on who committed the crime. I’m being particularly vague about the crimes involved, because part of the joy of a game like this is discovering details. However, there are multiple mysteries to be solved, and they all take place in cute environments that mix monochromatic palettes with pops of color for detail.

As you collect information, you can connect the dots on your investigation in your binder. This involves a series of menus where you connect evidence together, cross-reference testimony, and ultimately craft a report for the Feline Forensics department on who did what, when they did it, and who ultimately committed the crimes you are investigating.

As you collect new information, you’ll return to cross-examine suspects. No man, bird, or mammal is guilty until proven otherwise, but that’s part of your job after all. Luckily, there are a variety of accessibility options, including hints, dyslexic font options, and text-speed adjustments, to make things easier for all varieties of players.

Overall, I really like the vibe and gameplay of Feline Forensics and the Meowseum Mystery. Gameplay takes a little getting used to, as the puzzles can be very specific about what they ask of you. However, the controls are solid and the gameplay loop itself is fun. The dialogue is cute and fun too, so players of all ages will probably enjoy it, despite the occasional confusing or obtuse point-and-click mystery solution.

If you’re looking for a mystery to sink your teeth into, Feline Forensics is a lot of fun. It isn’t as enjoyable as Duck Detective, but I think that’s because I enjoyed Duck Detective’s story and everything more. However, kids and adults could enjoy Feline Forensics, alone or together as a learning challenge.

A PC Review Copy of Feline Forensics and the Meowseum Mystery was provided by Nobody Crown Games for the purposes of this review.

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Feline Forensics and the Meowseum Mystery

9

Score

9.0/10

Pros

• Cute visuals
• Fun story and characters
• Fun mysteries suitable for adults and kids

Cons

• Some puzzle solutions are a little confusing