Clue Hunter

Clue Hunter is a single-player puzzle-adventure game developed by Silver Lining Studios and released in 2021 for personal computers and mobile platforms. The game is set in the fictional town of Ashford Hollow, a rural community plagued by a series of unexplained disappearances. The player assumes the role of a freelance investigative journalist who arrives in the town to document the events. The narrative is non-linear, allowing the player to explore the town and its surrounding environments, including an abandoned asylum, a derelict factory, and several residential homes. The core objective is to uncover the truth behind the disappearances by collecting evidence, interviewing non-player characters, and reconstructing timelines. The game employs a point-and-click interface for navigation and interaction. Visuals are rendered in a muted, hand-drawn art style with a fixed isometric perspective. The sound design relies on ambient environmental audio and a sparse, minimalist musical score. Clue Hunter does not feature combat or time-based challenges; progression is entirely dependent on logical deduction and thorough exploration. The game contains multiple endings determined by the player's choices and the completeness of the evidence collected.

The player controls the journalist using a mouse or touch input. Clicking on a location on the ground moves the character to that point. Interactive objects, characters, and areas are highlighted with a subtle glow when the cursor hovers over them. A left-click on an object or character initiates an interaction, such as examining an item, opening a drawer, or starting a dialogue. The inventory is accessed by clicking an icon in the lower-left corner of the screen. Items collected can be examined, combined, or used on the environment by dragging them from the inventory onto a highlighted interactive area. The journal, located in the lower-right corner, automatically records all clues, character statements, and map locations. The player can review the journal at any time to cross-reference information. A key mechanic is the "Deduction Board," accessed via a button at the top of the screen. This board displays collected evidence as cards. The player must drag and connect related cards to form logical links, such as matching a witness statement to a physical clue. Correct connections advance the story and unlock new areas or dialogue options. The game does not provide explicit hints; the player must rely on the journal and deduction board to determine the next course of action. Saving is manual and can be performed from the pause menu at any time.