Confidential Killings – A Detective Game is an indie adventure/mystery detective title developed by BRANE and Lorenzo Boni, published by Surefire.Games. It released on January 12, 2026 on Steam, inviting players into a gritty Hollywood noir murder mystery where fame, betrayal, and hidden secrets collide. In a world where actors, writers, and producers are being murdered under bizarre circumstances, you play as a keen-eyed detective tasked with unraveling a tangled web of lies and motives. Using careful observation, deduction, and interrogation, you’ll examine crime scenes, gather clues, and piece together the truth behind the killings.

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Gameplay & Core Loop

Confidential Killings blends classic point-and-click investigation with subtle puzzle and narrative elements. At its core, the gameplay loop consists of:

🔎 Crime Scene Investigation — The foundation of Confidential Killings lies in meticulously searching environments for evidence. Objects, notes, blood spatter patterns, and subtle details all contribute to building your understanding of what happened.

🧠 Deduction & Clue Analysis — Once you’ve gathered evidence, Confidential Killings requires you to connect dots, form hypotheses, and validate suspicions. There are no simple “next objectives” guiding you — your ability to think like a detective drives progress.

👥 Interrogations & Character Interactions — Hollywood’s glittering cast hides dark motives. Conversations with suspects, witnesses, and industry insiders reveal clues and red herrings alike, deepening the narrative and challenging your judgment.

📜 Narrative Progression — Progressing through cases gradually reveals an overarching conspiracy: a hidden puppet master orchestrating the Confidential Killings. The story unfolds in chapters as each murder links to a larger tapestry of secrets and betrayal.

While the core experience is linear in terms of story, the method of investigation is open-ended: players are free to explore scenes at their own pace and revisit areas as new interpretations emerge. This emphasis on deduction over rote progression makes for a rewarding feel when a breakthrough finally clicks.

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What Works Really Well

🕵️‍♂️ Strong Deductive Focus – Confidential Killings leans into classic investigative gameplay without spoon-feeding solutions. Players truly earn their conclusions by carefully analyzing clues and linking evidence — a feature often missing in lighter detective experiences.

🎨 Atmospheric Noir Presentation – Inspired by 1970s Hollywood and classic mystery aesthetics, Confidential Killings creates a mood that evokes smoky lounges, scandalous studios, and winding back-alley secrets. This noir atmosphere — paired with stylized art and clever environmental design — enriches the mystery.

📜 Engaging Storytelling & Characters – The cast is rife with betrayals, double-crosses, and hidden motives. Red herrings are woven into the narrative, and suspects don’t always behave predictably, enhancing replay value and immersion.

✔ Polished Demo Reception – Before launch, the Confidential Killings demo earned overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam, with players praising the writing, puzzles, and investigative depth.

🌍 Effective Worldbuilding – The backdrop of Hollywood — with all its glitter and decay — is more than cosmetic; it ties directly into the themes of ambition, secrecy, and corruption. This gives the mysteries personal stakes and narrative weight.

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Areas for Improvement & Considerations

⚠ Repetition Can Set In – Some reviewers note that while individual cases can be compelling, the overall investigation mechanic — searching, comparing, connecting — may feel repetitive if tackled in long sessions. Without a robust hint system, players might feel stuck or grindy at times.

⚠ Lack of Built-In Hints – The deliberate absence of a hint system makes sense for purists, but it can be frustrating for players who hit dead ends or who enjoy more guided detective experiences.

⚠ Narrative Pacing Variance – For some, the pacing varies between tense investigative breakthroughs and slower narrative stretches. Players seeking more action or variety might find the beat too contemplative.

⚠ Limited Long-Term Variety (So Far) – Because Confidential Killings is story-driven with a relatively linear arc, highly replayable branching paths aren’t yet prominent. While multiple perspectives add nuance, future updates or expansions could benefit from introducing more choice-driven consequences.

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Final Thoughts

Confidential Killings – A Detective Game delivers a well-crafted, thoughtful mystery experience that stands out in the indie detective genre. It prizes deduction over action, rewards keen observation, and unfolds a compelling narrative steeped in Hollywood’s dark glamour and conspiratorial undertones.

To us at Indie Games Tavern, though not without pacing and hint-system limitations, it offers a satisfying detective journey, especially for players who relish connecting dots, interrogating suspects, and immersing themselves in noir storytelling. Whether you’re a fan of classic investigation titles or simply hungry for a cerebral mystery with strong writing and atmosphere, Confidential Killings is worth cracking open.

Who Should Play It?

✅ Fans of narrative detective games — especially those who enjoy deduction first, action second.
✅ Lovers of noir and mystery — the Hollywood setting and tone are compelling and layered.
✅ Players who like environmental puzzle solving — scene examination and clue analysis form core gameplay.
✅ Appreciators of hand-crafted stories — character motives and story arcs carry emotional weight.

Who Might Wait or Skip It?

⚠ Players who prefer fast-paced gameplay or action-heavy mechanics.
⚠ Gamers who dislike pure investigation without hints or guidance.
⚠ People looking for highly replayable branching narratives right away — this title is more linear and puzzle-focused at launch.

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Confidential Killings Review by Indie Games Tavern.

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