A ‘Narrative Double-Feature’ With “Murder Mystery Machine” And “Later Daters” At LudoNarraCon ’21

We are proud to be back at LudoNarraCon this year. We have supported this convention since its inception back in 2019, which showcases narrative games on Steam in a virtual setting. We have loved it ever since and were thrilled to learn that it would return, even during the pandemic (since it was virtual, to begin with). As we celebrate narrative gaming for a week, today we talk about two of our anticipated Steam releases, namely “Murder Mystery Machine” and “Later Daters: Part Two” (“Later Daters”). Both games we have played previously, “Murder Mystery Machine” on Apple and “Later Daters” on Switch and Steam. Thus, we will discuss the games for their gameplay, narrative, and overall elements of what makes them special.

What Is “Murder Mystery Machine” About?

The Steam description is as follows:

Join the District Crime Agency and enter into the mindset of a true detective. Investigate a series of crimes in a modern noir setting with unique puzzle-solving and deduction gameplay. Do you have what it takes to be a true detective?

(( “Murder Mystery Machine.” Blazing Griffin. Microids. 2021. ))

A Quick Overview Of “MMM”

The updated graphics and gameplay of “Murder Mystery Machine” are very enjoyable. Not only are the characters presented in a two-dimensional manner, but the crime scenes are also very straightforward and enjoyable to play. I liked the Apple version, but this version further enhanced much of the story. I enjoyed having Cassandra and Nate as protagonists in this game. This version of the game seemed like a nice improvement. The idea behind this game is that you play as a detective and solve cases to the very last detail. It is noir but in the best way possible. It is also a puzzle game with an intuitive map. After each case, you get a letter grade as well as a breakdown of how well you did. As you walk through the crime scene, you have the option to click on certain areas as references to further clues. Like “Clue,” (movie and game) each scene requires you to find the answer to who, what, when, where, and why. 

Chapter 1: “The Lamb + The Tyger”

The menu and tutorial videos are always available, and it is a magnificent feature.

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I will agree that the game when I first played it was difficult, in a good way. A few things are easily figured out, but moving the camera is always something I forget the game can do and it helps so much when I remember. The only aspect I disliked was it would keep me confined to it. I played it a few times and it was tedious to have to keep being instructed on how to play the game when I just wanted to enjoy it. (I had also previously played the game, so I knew exactly how to get through this section/manage the map.) That can also be a saving issue discussed later. In the crime scene viewing, you are able to move the camera forward and backward as well as to each wall/corner of the box. The important thing about this is that when you do this, the camera shows more clues than were previously present. That is because you are viewing from a different perspective.

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This is a feature I learned more about from the PC version and was more easily remembered. The A/D keys rotate, which is helpful, and the W/S keys zoom. To get the most out of the game, both of these will be a great benefit to you, as they will greatly enhance your ability to solve puzzles. I think that it is challenging in the best way because it allows just enough of it so I can enjoy it. After recalling that aspect, I was equally excited to see what else I could find throughout the crime scene. The color palette is also really amazing. I really enjoy the noir and detective themes in this game. As a detective game fan, I have been looking forward to this game for a long time and I think it is one of the best ones so far. I particularly enjoyed the movement of the mouths while watching the dialogue; it added so much to the experience. The movement of the characters is also splendid; it elevates the already fantastic atmosphere that “MMM” has already created. 

LudoNarraCon ’21: Blazing Griffin’s “Murder Mystery Machine”

The dialogue is excellent for each character, especially Nate. In addition, it provides a good idea for each character’s personality, however, this is not a game where you can choose dialogue. The main aspect of the game is that you do not always decide what the characters will say but rather focus on other elements such as the puzzle, looking at the crime scene, and figuring out the actual motive leading to the case. I find this very appealing, especially when taking along other elements. The lack of choice in the dialogue is great, as I do not have to worry about it taking away time or enjoyment from the puzzles. Furthermore, we were not able to save the game, so much of the demo had to be completed in one sitting or we had to restart. If that was indeed the demo then thank goodness there will be a saving facility in the future (haha, mainly because I did so much good work and needed to remember what I had done), as I often forgot what I had done when I had to start again.

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Even though it was fun to restart the game, it was tedious since we wanted to return to where we were. That is one element we cannot wait to see when the game is released officially. “MMM’s” greatest strength is its graphics. The character animations and color palette are especially impressive on PC. You can use a touch screen (I used a PC with a touch screen) or mouse clicks to move the dialogue forward, however, you cannot press the spacebar or any other keyboard function to do so. Most keyboard functionality is reserved for zooming and moving the camera. The camera will also zoom into clues to create an immersive environment. The camera angles from both the gameplay and the cut scenes were always smooth and responsive even when we restarted the game each time. The entire demo was absolutely flawless. There were no crashes, errors, or bugs. “MMM” was an excellent game to play at LudoNarraCon ’21.

What Is “Later Daters: Part Two” About?

The Steam description is as follows:

Welcome to Ye OLDE! Your new retirement paradise. Date as an octogenarian and find somebody to love, or just get your kicks in while the getting is good. Remember, if the chairs are rockin’, don’t come a-knockin.

(( “Later Daters: Part Two.” Bloom Digital Media. LudoNarraCon 2021. )).

A Quick Overview Of “Later Daters: Part Two”

I enjoy playing dating games; I’m in a monogamous relationship, but there is something captivating about playing dating games. Escapism isn’t simply just about getting away from reality, but it’s about getting lost in a story that has its own unique elements, which is precisely why “Later Dater: Part Two” is so entertaining. I have never been older than I am now. It is such a fun fantasy to live in someone else’s world. Dating narrative games have been around for some time now; there are many that focus on relationships among humans as well as with pets. There are ones that are focused on monogamous relationships, while others focus on polyamory as well. Other examples include LGBTQIAX+ and many other styles of anime dating games like “Love Shore” (( Perfect Garbage; OCT 2021. )). (not rated X-rated).

“Dream Daddy” is one of my favorite video games that offered a new perspective on fathers, with the protagonist in the role of the father trying to remain intact while dealing with single parenthood and dating cute dads along the way. “Later Daters: Part Two” is similar but includes senior citizens, which is a refreshing change. I never thought of playing this type of game until I played one like this for the first time. I found it was able to add a new dimension to the genre of dating narrative games. In that respect, the game’s gameplay is excellent. It offers a great deal of exploration and multiple challenges. We’ll focus on that first.

The Demo

I love the fact that this game was designed for an older and younger audience. I am not sure if my mom would ever play this game, but she might be intrigued by the idea if I ever get the chance to show her. The gameplay is rather simple as there is no drastic movement, crazy functions to use, or too much dialogue to choose from. However, you can select between several different types of dialogue, which is pleasant. It never feels tedious or confusing. It is great that you can choose a piece of dialogue with just one click, then turn that decision around with a double click. The best thing about this is that you are given the option to edit in case the answer you selected seems not to be what you wanted. I really enjoy that, since responses are usually one-and-done, whether you make a mistake or not. I believe that being able to take your time and absorb the answer is one of its strengths. The game is entirely based on clicking; there is no other form of functionality. (That we saw as it is just a click and experience the story.)

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It is entirely dialogue-driven, so you can choose between being friendly or distant depending on whom you meet. I typically prefer to be friendly, but you are free to choose which personality you wish to have, which is great. Another aspect was personalization; it is simple but enjoyable. You choose from a few distinct options: family and pets or work. You can either have a husband, wife, or partner, as well as choosing to have no spouse and choose to be self-employed. You have a choice of a pet as well, choosing between a dog, cat, or robot. You also can change the name of the character, but not the name of their significant other. Although they offer a limited number of options, they offer greater personality than some of the other games on the market. 

LudoNarraCon ’21: Bloom Digital Media’s “Later Dater: Part Two”

Again, the dialogue is quite good. It is written well, and you are able to flirt and be a little bit cheeky when you play the game. After only ten minutes in the game, I met several people. The game also has a pretty expansive conversation with each of the characters. Right off the bat, I was able to talk to Esther, play as Laurie, and speak to Crystal. I was even able to talk with a musician and say I was “high” at their concert way back when which was fun! By comparing the dialogue to how to choose your words, there was very little that proved to be difficult to understand. There are very few instructions; however, it is super simple for you to learn on your own how to converse, chat, and move along with the first day.

You are also able to fast forward dialogue along with rewinding, which is a fantastic added feature. The file button allows you to remember the character and where they originated from. You can always recall who you are and save the game at any time. “Later Dater” is an excellent LudoNarraCon release!