Game Review

The Last Case of Benedict Fox

For me, *The Last Case of Benedict Fox* is one of the most exciting games of the month. I love indie games, especially those with detective themes. Now imagine this is also a Metroidvania game with an artistic style that you’ll love, and it’s available on Game Pass!

All that stands between you and this game is downloading it, and it’s worth trying—even if you plan to buy it. Let me explain why in this review.

*The Last Case of Benedict Fox* is a 2.5D game set in the 1920s. It tells the story of a detective investigating a murder case that seems simple at first but reveals complex layers. The investigation ties directly to the death of Benedict’s father, making it personal for the protagonist. To add to the intrigue, there’s a supernatural element where Benedict gains a unique ability allowing him to enter people’s minds by interacting with their corpses. In these dream-like worlds, he explores their thoughts and memories, reminiscent of games like *Psychonauts 2* or *Persona 5*.

Enemies appear in these alternate dimensions, and we’ll dive into the combat mechanics later. As for the story, while it isn’t overly detailed, it’s mysterious and engaging. The noir-inspired narrative feels like watching a captivating film you don’t want to end. The game’s unique artistic direction makes it stand out, similar to titles like *12 Minutes* or *Death’s Door*. Excellent voice acting further enhances the mystery, and we’ll discuss this more in the sound section. Now, let’s talk gameplay.

The gameplay is divided into three aspects: puzzles, platforming, and combat. Let’s break them down.

First, combat involves using two main weapons: a knife and a flare gun. The flare gun recharges through melee hits, eliminating the need to search for ammo. It’s a clever design choice, though the gun has a cooldown. On the bright side, it’s a one-hit-kill weapon, which feels rewarding.

The third weapon is Benedict’s supernatural powers, gained through a spirit entity. Conversations with this entity add depth to the story while influencing gameplay. Since this is a Metroidvania game, these powers also unlock new areas and aid exploration.

In combat, these powers offer defensive shields and the ability to pull enemies closer. For traversal, they enable double jumps and ground slams, opening about 60% of the map for exploration.

Is exploration worth it? Absolutely. The game rewards you with resources for tattoos, adding abilities to your skill tree. There are save points called anchors, which also function as fast travel spots. If you die, you lose your resources unless you reach an anchor, making it a strategic element.

However, movement during chases feels unresponsive, especially with controls that aren’t as smooth as they should be. Even the double jump feels underwhelming. Additionally, the lack of an on-screen minimap forces you to pause the game to view your map, disrupting the flow of exploration.

Next are puzzles—some of the most challenging and satisfying I’ve encountered. Solving them makes you feel like a true detective. While there’s an option to disable puzzles or adjust their difficulty, there’s no hint system like in *Return to Monkey Island*.

If you enjoy puzzles, you’ll love this aspect. If not, you can skip them entirely. Kudos to the developers for creating such intricate puzzles—it’s clear they put great effort into this game.

Indie games like this shine because developers aren’t afraid to take risks. They target niche audiences rather than mass appeal, unlike major studios that often prioritize accessibility over depth. This game embraces challenging gameplay, reminding me of what makes indie games special.

The artistic direction is stunning. From visuals to sound design, everything feels like a beautiful, living work of art. The soundtrack and voice acting enhance the immersive experience. It’s a testament to the creativity of indie developers in bringing their worlds to life.

*The Last Case of Benedict Fox* is available on Game Pass from day one, so you can try it without paying full price. It’s an artistic masterpiece with engaging gameplay, but it’s not without flaws. It may frustrate you at times, but its atmosphere and world will keep you coming back. Our score: 8/10.

Final Score

8/10

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