Release date: 2026
Version played: PC (via Steam)
Based on the web-based text game, Type Help, comes another mystery game from Evil Trout, the team behind the phenomenal The Roottrees Are Dead. In The Incident At Galley House, players take control of Reya Beckon, an investigator who arrives at the titular Galley House in order to solve the mystery of who the unknown bodies were who turned up one fateful evening in the 1930s. Through the use of a seance machine, Reya is able to relive the memories/conversations of the house occupants, assuming she can narrow down the timeframe, which room in the house they were in, and which participant (or participants) present at the time. As more information becomes available, gaps in the timeline can be filled and all manner of secrets are revealed.
+ as each scene plays out in static, ‘slideshow’ style format, the voice work had to be strong to carry the narrative — and it absolutely was. Every character was recognisable through voice alone, and as the plot progresses and time moves forward, their reactions to carious happenings are acted out with vigor
+ in terms of the plot, I was absolutely hooked early on and it never let up. As things became clear (or as clear as they could, for a mystery game) and revelations abound, I began to recontextualise everything I had done so far, and I thoroughly enjoyed it
+ the gameplay loop almost feels like an incremental game in some ways, but I always felt like there was something to focus on. The game lets you know if there is something in a scene to push you toward the next discovery, but never says what that information is. It’s a great idea, and it meant that even if I could not decipher the hint in one scene, I always had something to follow on with
+ very similar Roottrees, there is an in-game notepad to keep track of everything which I used to its fullest. It was completely invaluable to make in-game notes of things people said (I almost wish I had done so on a rel-life notepad, like I did with Dimhaven recently, and Blue Prince before it). Again, like Roottrees, the in-game hint system is perfect; actual, vague hints give way to more clear nudges in the direction, and then an outright answer if you are still stuck. I am very proud to say I only needed a few of the light hints once, for a particularly think-outside-the-box moment near the game’s end
– the actual story of the game is kind of hit and miss. The mystery element is fantastic, as mentioned above, but while the ending of the game is not bad, but it is decidedly weaker than the build up. The game is not at all a horror game, but I think in some ways all horror has an element of mystery to it, and all mystery has some elements of horror, and this was no exception
– after it is all said and done, I have one big, lingering question in my mind which the game never made clear. It is going to haunt me
Should you play this game: Absolutely, and immediately. Along with Roottrees, Evil Trout has now been behind two back-to-back all-time great mystery games which I simply cannot recommend strongly enough. I was invested in this early, and that never let up until the very final moments… and I’m still thinking about it now.
MoshFish Reviews 