I was sent a free copy of Murder on Space Station 52 to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game.

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What is Murder on Space Station 52?

Murder on Station 52 is a murder mystery point-and-click narrative game out now on PC via Steam, GoG, and Epic Games.

Your arrival at Station 52 has been marred by the murder of the person you are there to replace. The Keychain Killer is on the loose, and it seems like you’re the only one who can catch them. Explore the station, collect clues, solve intricate puzzles, and put an end to this madness. Can you catch the Keychain Killer before it is too late?

Gameplay

Murder on Station 52 is sort of like a visual novel that needs to be pieced together. Players move around the station collecting clues, interrogating suspects, and slowly unraveling the narrative. For the player to progress through the story, players must solve the station’s many puzzles. This is done by collecting and combining objects, interacting with various points around the station, or solving visual puzzles, some with very little guidance. Players are essentially clicking through the story, trying to get to the end.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Murder on Station 52 works great on the Steam Deck. Players can use the joysticks, touch pads, and touch screen to play this game. I preferred the Steam Deck experience to the desktop because a combination of the touch screen and shoulder buttons felt perfect. The aspect ratio does make some puzzles difficult to interact with. It isn’t unplayable, but they do require a bit more work. Other than that, it is a solid experience.

Review

This game was made for fans of the detective noir genre. The game is filled with fun and quirky references and dialogue that I felt pay the perfect homage. The main character’s snark, especially during his inner monologues, can be a little cheesy, but I feel it gives the game its charm. It isn’t going to be for everyone, but it does help that the voice acting is fantastic.

The only issue I have with Murder on Space Station 52 is its puzzles. Some of the puzzles are creative and satisfying, but there are a few that aren’t intuitive and frustrating. The game offers no hints, guides, or direction for some puzzles, leaving players to scramble with the same mystery as the game’s protagonist. This is a great idea, but its execution feels lacking. For the less intuitive puzzles, the lack of direction will end a playthrough without a guide. The solution will always make sense in the end, but not being able to solve a puzzle because what can be clicked isn’t obvious is frustrating. For example, a lot of the puzzles are solved by combining items. Most of the time, players will pick up an item and combine it with another in their inventory. Some items require specific events to have occurred before you can interact with them, others will need the player to be in a specific location, and some will need a double-click. As a result, some of these puzzles feel less like critical thinking challenges and more like trial and error. This is fine for the person who likes puzzle games, but it’s going to be an issue for the more casual player. Luckily, there are a few good walkthroughs available already.

Ultimately, the game is fine and I enjoyed my time with it, but it isn’t going to be for everyone. The art and voice acting are fantastic and are a valid draw to the game, but the story and tone will be a barrier. If you enjoy the cheesy detective noir genre, this is a solid entry to the genre with a decent mystery. If you aren’t, the protagonist’s snark and the story’s quirky tone will get old fast. As far as puzzle games go, it’s fine and thematic, but the less intuitive puzzles make it hard to recommend. Hardcore puzzlers might appreciate the lack of direction and hints, but casual puzzlers will find the game more work than it’s worth. Most will be better off just watching a playthrough.

You can pick up Murder on Space Station 52 on Steam, GoG, and Epic Games for $14.99