Hubbry Logo
Tangle TowerTangle TowerMain
Open search
Tangle Tower
Community hub
Tangle Tower
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Tangle Tower
Tangle Tower
Tangle Tower
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia
Tangle Tower
DeveloperSFB Games
PublisherSFB Games
PlatformsApple Arcade, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android
ReleaseApple Arcade
19 September 2019
macOS, Switch, Windows
22 October 2019
PS4, Xbox One
6 October 2021
Android
22 June 2023
GenreAdventure game

Tangle Tower (also known as Detective Grimoire: Tangle Tower) is a murder mystery point-and-click adventure game developed and published by SFB Games. It is a sequel to the 2014 game Detective Grimoire and the third entry in the Detective Grimoire series. The game was launched with the Apple Arcade service on 19 September 2019 and was later released for Nintendo Switch and Steam on 22 October 2019, followed by PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on 6 October 2021.

Gameplay

[edit]

The game follows Detective Grimoire and his partner Sally (who appeared in the previous game with a different hairstyle) as they travel to the eponymous Tangle Tower to solve the murder of a girl named Freya Fellow, who was seemingly killed by a painting. Players progress through the game by conversing with the various suspects and searching each room of the tower for clues. Searching the environment will often unveil puzzles that must be solved in order to obtain a new piece of evidence. When certain conditions are met, the player can question each suspect about something they're hiding.[1]

Development

[edit]

After Detective Grimoire had been completed in 2014 with a light cliff-hanger ending, the team didn't have an immediate rush to do a sequel; however they soon learnt about the Creative Europe’s funding programme which offered funding for narrative driven games, leading to SFB formulating a sequel; they entered into in programme in January 2015.[2] The original development of Tangle Tower was put on hold after Nintendo approached SFB Games to make Snipperclips, but resumed after the game's expansion, Snipperclips Plus, was completed. The team "dusted off" the project and continued working on it for a 2 years before release.[3] Designed in Unity, the team ensured the game was compatible on a variety of platforms from the get go.[4] The Apple Arcade deadline pushed the development team to tie up loose ends and finish the game.[4] Adam noted that the game went from 90% completion to 80% due to the pushed-up deadline, but that the team were able to finish the project with minimal sacrifices.[5] Due to Apple Arcade's requirements, the game was translated into 17 different languages by Universally Speaking.[6] SFB Games attended their first PAX East Indie Showcase with this title.[7] The game was later released on Steam and Nintendo Switch on 22 October 2019. On 21 December 2020, Jonathan Harris did a 'Tangle Tower unused animation showcase stream'.[8] The game was released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on 6 October 2021,[9] with each version playable on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S respectively via backwards compatibility.[10][11] The game was removed from Apple Arcade in 2019 and subsequently released on Android in 2023.[12]

Design

[edit]

Characters were designed by Adam Vian and Catherine Unger, with Adam drawing finished poses into Flash. At this stage, PNGs of these static poses were added to the Unity project with a 'bobbing' effect to give a feel of movement within the scene's dialogue. Animator Jonathan Harris inbetweened each final pose, with multiple head positions, eyes, and mouths for each. Designed by Tom Vian for the 2012 game Detective Grimoire: Secret of the Swamp, FlAn exporter was used to save Flash files as PNGs, which through the TexturePacker tool were all placed into one spritesheet. The FlAn player reconstructed the sprites from the data files. A white outline was added around each character to avoid their outfits blending into similarly coloured backgrounds. A Squigglevision effect was added to this outline to "keep them alive [and] breathing". Tom created a tool using Unity's timelines that allowed Adam to type dialogue and choose poses from a list to perform the text straight-away.[13]

Many character designs were used throughout development. As an example, Fitz Fellow originally wore red opaque glasses, but after the voice acting tests were made, the team wished to make him more sympathetic and vulnerable, subsequently removing them.[3]

Reception

[edit]

Tangle Tower received mainly positive reviews, holding an 82/100 score on Metacritic.[14] The game was praised for its voice acting, dialogue, and art style.[14][15][16] Negative comments were given about the undeserved ending and lingering plot holes.[citation needed]

ScreenRant wrote it "keep[s] you guessing until the surprising final reveal".[18] Pocket Gamer deemed it "gorgeous" and "thrilling".[19] PC Gamer write it was a "light-hearted, comfy murder mystery",[20] while Rock Paper Shotgun praised its "winsome cast, gorgeous music and sharp writing".[21] CBR highlighted a moment of dialogue that was "endearing" and effectively establishing the dynamic between characters.[22]

Imoire.com noted that "after several satisfying hours worth of gameplay" the game "ends somewhat suddenly" and contains "a handful of loose ends" by its conclusion.[23]

The game was nominated for "EE Mobile Game of the Year" at the 16th British Academy Games Awards.[24]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Tangle Tower

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Tangle Tower is a point-and-click adventure video game developed and published by . Released initially on September 19, 2019, as part of the launch lineup, it became available on and on October 22, 2019, followed by ports to and on October 6, 2021. As the sequel to the 2014 game , Tangle Tower follows detectives Grimoire and his assistant Sally as they investigate the murder of artist Freya Fellow in a twisted, art-filled where a sentient painting emerges as the prime suspect. The emphasizes of the mansion's eccentric rooms, of peculiar suspects, collection of clues, and solution of unique logic-based puzzles that integrate drawing mechanics and environmental interactions. Key features include fully voiced and animated characters, digitally painted environments, an original orchestral soundtrack composed by Raphael Benjamin Meyer, and an unlockable gallery. Funded in part by the European Union's Creative Europe program, the game was crafted over four years by the small independent studio , founded by brothers Tom and Adam Vian. Tangle Tower has been praised for its charming , witty , and inventive puzzles, earning a Metascore of 85 out of 100 on based on 11 critic reviews, with particular acclaim for its voice acting and atmospheric storytelling. Critics highlighted it as a standout indie title, often comparing it favorably to classics like The Secret of Monkey Island for its humor and character design. The game maintains a user score of 7.9 on the platform, reflecting broad appeal among puzzle and mystery enthusiasts. In 2023, announced a , The Mermaid's Tongue, continuing the series, with a demo released that year and full release expected in 2025.

Background

Series Context

The Detective Grimoire series is a collection of point-and-click mystery adventure games developed by SFB Games, an independent studio founded in 2002 by brothers Tom and Adam Vian in London, initially under the name The Super Flash Bros. The series debuted with the original Detective Grimoire in 2007 as a browser-based Flash game, released on platforms like Newgrounds, where players investigate a murder at a fairground through clue-gathering and suspect interrogation. This title established the core genre focus on atmospheric, puzzle-driven detective work infused with subtle supernatural elements, setting the tone for subsequent entries. The second installment, Detective Grimoire: Secret of the Swamp, expanded the series with its initial release on in January 2014, followed by ports to Android, PC, Mac, , and later that year. Developed using to support mobile platforms, it introduced recurring assistant Sally Spears alongside protagonist , who serves as the sharp-witted investigator piecing together enigmatic cases. ' evolution from Flash-based browser titles to cross-platform mobile experiences reflected the studio's adaptation to emerging technologies and distribution models during this period. Tangle Tower (2019) marks the third entry, building on the series' foundation by leveraging the engine for enhanced visuals and broader accessibility across PC, consoles, and modern storefronts like and . The duo of and Sally returns as central figures, maintaining the thematic blend of logical deduction and otherworldly intrigue that defines the franchise's consistent narrative style. A fourth entry, The Mermaid Mask, was announced in 2023 and is slated for release in 2025, with a demo available on as of 2025.

Setting

Tangle Tower serves as the central locale for the game's mystery, depicted as a sprawling, labyrinthine situated on a secluded surrounded by unique plant and animal life that amplifies its isolated and eerie ambiance. Originally built by the Remington family as Mystid Mansion, the structure was later renamed Tangle Tower by Flora Fellow, a key descendant who inherited and reshaped its legacy amid the family's eccentric history. The mansion's architecture features a main house flanked by two connected towers—one associated with the Fellow family to the west and the other with the Pointer family to the east—creating a divided yet intertwined layout filled with hidden rooms, twisted passageways, and personalized spaces like the and that reflect the inhabitants' quirks. The design draws from gothic and surreal influences, evident in its vine-overgrown exteriors, bizarre gardens, and interiors cluttered with mystical artifacts such as ancient statues and gem-producing flora, evoking classic tropes while incorporating a vaguely otherworldly atmosphere. This twisted, lived-in environment, with its cold upper levels and absorbing, digitally painted visuals, fosters a sense of unease and discovery, where the mansion's structural oddities naturally lend themselves to environmental exploration tied to the tower's enigmatic form. Rooted in the 19th-century-inspired lore of the Remington, Fellow, and Pointer families—marked by intermarriages, feuds, and eccentric isolation—the tower's backstory underscores its role as a self-contained world of secrets, built over generations to house a lineage steeped in and reclusion. This setting echoes the undertones of the broader series, blending mundane domesticity with subtle mystical elements to heighten the investigative tension.

Story

Plot Summary

Tangle Tower centers on the investigation of a bizarre at the titular , home to the intertwined Fellow and Pointer families. The story begins with the shocking death of heiress Freya Fellow, who is stabbed in the gallery while a during a family gathering; the prime suspect appears to be a seemingly animated painting that was found hovering over her body with a knife in hand. Players follow detectives Grimoire and his partner Sally Spears as they arrive at the request of an anonymous tipster to unravel the mystery. The narrative unfolds through a non-linear structure, allowing exploration of the sprawling, labyrinthine tower to collect clues, interrogate eccentric suspects from the feuding families, and piece together evidence in a style reminiscent of classic tales. This progression is divided into distinct acts emphasizing work: initial exploration of rooms and hidden areas, phases of accusation and , and climactic revelations through and evidence presentation. The plot weaves themes of buried family secrets, bitter inheritance disputes among relatives, and eerie supernatural undertones, particularly surrounding the cursed artwork and the tower's peculiar atmosphere, all without resolving the central enigma prematurely.

Characters

The protagonists of Tangle Tower are Detective Grimoire and his assistant Sally Spears. Grimoire is portrayed as a quick-witted, snarky investigator who often makes sarcastic remarks while examining clues, and he is frequently depicted smoking a pipe as part of his signature look. His role involves leading the interrogation of suspects and piecing together evidence throughout the tower, drawing on his observational skills to uncover hidden details. Sally complements Grimoire by providing deadpan, logical analysis and insights into technical aspects of the case, such as examining gadgets or documents, which highlights her analytical support role. Both characters are fully voiced, with Edwyn Tiong lending Grimoire a charming, humorous tone and Amber Lee Connors delivering Sally's responses with sharp wit that enhances their dynamic partnership. The central victim is Freya Fellow, an eccentric teenage artist and distant relative in the Fellow family, where she grew up alongside the Fellows and Pointers. Described as a gifted wunderkind with talents in both art and , Freya's background involves creative pursuits, including , which ties into the mystery's core elements. Her role as the deceased figure drives the investigation, with her personal history revealed through interactions and environmental clues scattered across the tower. The suspects primarily consist of the quirky Fellow and Pointer family members, along with rival Hawkshaw, each with distinct personalities and occupations that reflect the tower's eccentric atmosphere. Hawkshaw, a gruff from previous cases, arrives to assist but becomes a suspect himself due to his secretive behavior. Among the Fellows, Fitz Fellow serves as the imposing yet shy gardener, responsible for maintaining the bizarre tower gardens, his unassuming nature contrasting his large stature and contributing to tense but revealing conversations. Fifi Fellow is an amateur biologist whose cluttered library workspace belies her organized mind, often discussing specimens and books that hint at family tensions. Felix Fellow, a grandiose self-proclaimed explorer, brags about his adventures from his cluttered study, adding while hiding potential motives. Flora Fellow, the silent matriarch of the family and Freya's dear friend and distant relative, embodies a mysterious, ethereal presence, spending much of her time gazing at the moon and communicating non-verbally, which adds an layer of intrigue to her backstory. The Pointer family includes Poppy Pointer, a gothic aspiring whose music room is filled with fire hazards from her experiments, showcasing her rebellious and empathetic phase amid the household drama. Percival Pointer, the family patriarch, is an who resides in the tidy Astronomy Tower, obsessively using his and revealing inventive quirks through discussions of celestial observations and gadgets. Penny Pointer rounds out the group as a enthusiast, her interactions often centering on her pets and adding a lighter, quirky dynamic to the interrogations. All suspects are brought to life with full , including Josh Tomar as the gruff yet gentle Fitz, Sarah Anne Williams as the precise Fifi, Doug Stone as the boastful Felix, Faye Mata as the brooding Poppy, Tiana Camacho as the chirpy Penny, John Mondelli as the scholarly Pointer, and additional voicing for Hawkshaw, allowing trees to peel back layers of their histories through context-specific responses to evidence. A unique non-player entity is the animated painting, which emerges as a central "" with an eerie, shadowy personality—depicted as a looming figure wielding a knife, its movements and implied create a supernatural undertone that permeates the tower's setting. This enigmatic artwork, central to the Fellow family's artistic legacy, interacts subtly through visual cues and environmental , enhancing the mystery without direct . Character designs emphasize vibrant, hand-drawn styles that convey quirks at a glance—such as Grimoire's trench coat and pipe or Poppy's dark attire—while voice performances across the cast, directed by , ensure memorable, professional delivery that underscores each figure's role in the tower's interconnected web of relationships.

Gameplay

Mechanics

Tangle Tower utilizes a point-and-click interface for player interaction, supporting both controls on desktop platforms and touch-based inputs on mobile and console versions. Players explore detailed, hand-drawn 2D scenes by clicking on hotspots to examine objects, speak with characters, and collect evidence, with the environment responding through subtle animations to enhance immersion. Navigation occurs via an overhead map of the tower and surrounding grounds, allowing quick travel between unlocked locations while encouraging as new clues reveal previously inaccessible paths. The game's dual perspective system integrates the viewpoints of protagonists and Sally Spears, with gameplay alternating between Grimoire's clue-focused mode and interactive discussions with Sally for logical analysis. In , players direct Grimoire to interact with the environment, while discussion segments with Sally enable review of the and connections, providing contextual hints through their banter to guide deduction without direct control over Sally. This interplay fosters interconnected challenges, where insights from one perspective inform actions in the other. Clue and inventory management revolves around a central case file that automatically catalogs collected items, notes, and evidence such as photographs or artifacts. Players access this interface to review details and select elements for use in interrogations or puzzles, effectively combining clues to build suspicions and test theories against suspects' statements. Representative examples include linking a ripped photograph with related testimony to unlock new dialogue options, emphasizing conceptual deduction over complex item crafting. Progression is structured around gates that restrict access to areas like upper tower levels or private rooms until specific clues are gathered or are formulated correctly via the case file. An autosave system preserves progress at key points, supporting experimentation with accusation choices that can lead to branching paths, though full often requires to collect all 32 clues and resolve every suspicion.

Puzzles and Investigation

In Tangle Tower, the core investigation revolves around phases of and , where players navigate detailed dioramas of the mansion's rooms to inspect objects and collect , then use that to question suspects through branching trees that reveal inconsistencies or new leads. Players maintain a digital case log to alibis, motives, and timelines, systematically building connections between testimonies and physical findings to narrow down the . This process emphasizes , as suspects' responses evolve based on presented clues, encouraging players to revisit locations and conversations for overlooked details. The game's puzzles vary widely to complement the detective work, including environmental challenges that require manipulating room objects—such as rearranging items or unlocking hidden compartments—to access new areas or clues. Logic-based puzzles involve deduction grids or statement-building mechanics to spot contradictions in alibis, while mini-games include mechanical puzzles like solving lockboxes or aligning shadows. These elements are seamlessly integrated into the narrative, with over 40 collectible items stored in an inventory for use in both puzzle-solving and suspect confrontations. Clues from and interrogations directly inform the accusation system, where players construct sentences from fragments to challenge suspects, potentially unlocking secrets or advancing the case; however, erroneous deductions can lead to dead ends, requiring to refine the investigation. This integration creates a risk-reward dynamic, as thorough gathering prevents narrative stalls and ensures coherent mystery resolution. Difficulty scales accessibly, with optional hints available via an in-game lightbulb icon or by talking to Sally, who offers logical nudges without spoiling solutions, making the game suitable for casual players while rewarding persistence. Replay value stems from hidden clues scattered throughout rooms, enabling players to uncover every detail, unlock achievements, and achieve full completion on subsequent playthroughs.

Development

Concept and Funding

Following the release of Detective Grimoire in 2014, began conceptualizing a in 2015, envisioning a larger-scale murder mystery set in a twisted mansion known as Tangle Tower, featuring locked-room style puzzles and a cast of interconnected suspects. The idea drew inspiration from classic detective adventures like and , expanding the original game's supernatural-tinged investigation into a more ambitious narrative with dual protagonists, and his partner Sally, to allow players to explore clues from multiple perspectives. To fund the project's growth from a mobile-focused title to a multi-platform release, secured a €150,000 grant from the Creative Europe MEDIA programme in 2015, awarded under the title Detective Grimoire 2 with 50% co-funding support for . This financial backing enabled the studio to assemble a core team, led by brothers Adam Vian on story and design and Tom Vian on programming, who developed initial prototypes to test the dual-protagonist mechanics and puzzle integration. Early planning faced challenges in managing scope, as the team balanced the game's whimsical supernatural elements—such as a sentient as a suspect—with rigorous logical deduction, while addressing expectations from fans of the original series for expanded content. Development paused shortly after inception to prioritize the Nintendo collaboration on Snipperclips, leading to scope adjustments upon resumption in late 2017, ultimately extending the overall timeline to seven years.

Production Process

Development of Tangle Tower began in 2015, following the release of the previous game, but was paused when partnered with to create in 2017. The project resumed in late 2017 after the release of Snipperclips Plus, with the studio dedicating full-time efforts over the subsequent two years leading to the game's completion in 2019. The game was built using the Unity engine to ensure cross-platform compatibility across mobile, console, and PC releases. This choice facilitated integration with Apple Arcade's subscription model, allowing seamless deployment as a launch title on , , and macOS without requiring platform-specific overhauls. Localization was a significant aspect of production, with the game translated into 17 languages by to meet Apple Arcade's global accessibility requirements. This process involved over 40,000 words of dialogue and clues, necessitating cultural adaptations such as reformatting text boxes for right-to-left scripts like and creating new puns to preserve humor— for instance, replacing an English dragonfly joke with a French "ombellule" pun in dialogues—while ensuring puzzle logic remained solvable without mistranslations. Native speakers conducted playtesting to verify accuracy in both narrative and investigative elements. Key milestones included the recording of the orchestral soundtrack in in March 2018, which enhanced the game's atmospheric tension. The title launched exclusively on on September 19, 2019, before exclusivity ended, enabling ports to , , and other platforms on October 22, 2019. It was removed from in 2022 following the expiration of the agreement. Following the removal, released standalone versions on and Android in September 2023. Post-launch, issued patches, such as version 1.0.1 in late 2019, to fix bugs and improve stability across platforms.

Design

Art and Animation

The art style of Tangle Tower features hand-drawn 2D illustrations that blend vibrant, cartoonish elements with an underlying eerie aesthetic, creating a whimsical yet unsettling atmosphere in the game's gothic mansion setting. Lead artist Catherine Unger collaborated closely with creative director Adam Vian to develop this visual approach, iterating through sketches to balance silly humor with sincere, serious moments that enhance the murder mystery narrative. The style draws influences from 's whimsical illustrations and 's stylized, dynamic designs, resulting in curvy characters with varied body types and silhouettes that reflect their personalities while contributing to a sense of unease through bizarre, mystical details like gem-like fruits and ancient statues. Character animations were crafted using (now Animate) for expressive poses and fluid movements, then exported as sequences and imported into Unity for integration across platforms. This technique allows for smooth, lively gesticulations during dialogues, with numerous poses emphasizing emotional range and adding vibrancy to the cast's interactions without overwhelming the 2D framework. Adam Vian handled the finished Flash drawings, ensuring the animations align with the hand-drawn aesthetic to maintain visual cohesion. Environmental designs consist of detailed, digitally painted backgrounds for each room—such as the , , , and music room—that reimagine gothic mansion archetypes with tangled, and personal inhabitant details. Unger's illustrations incorporate eerie elements like ominous crime scenes and secluded, plant-filled gardens, using a light, varied color palette to evoke a lived-in yet mysterious manor that subtly builds tension through optional visual clues and world-building flourishes. These layered environments support the game's exploration by providing immersive, high-quality 2D screens that highlight the tower's twisted structure.

Audio and Voice Acting

The audio design of Tangle Tower centers on an atmospheric orchestral composed by Raphael Benjamin Meyer and performed by the Art Orchestra, blending suspenseful mystery themes with quirky, character-specific motifs to underscore the game's eccentric narrative. Tracks such as "Fitz Fellow" and "Penelope Pointer" highlight individual suspects through playful yet ominous instrumentation, enhancing immersion during exploration and interrogations. The full , comprising 23 pieces, was released independently on November 1, 2019, via , with a digital version following on on February 11, 2020. Voice acting features a professional directed by , delivering fully voiced dialogue that captures the suspects' peculiarities through exaggerated tones and accents. Notable performances include as the sharp-witted assistant Sally Spears, as the bumbling Felix Fellow, and as the prim Poppy Pointer, with additional roles by Edwyn Tiong as and as Fifi Fellow. These portrayals emphasize comedic and dramatic flair, making interactions lively and memorable without overpowering the puzzle-solving focus. Custom sound effects augment the mansion's eerie ambiance and puzzle mechanics, including subtle environmental cues for interactions like door movements and object manipulations, all integrated and mixed via the Unity engine for dynamic spatial audio. These effects, such as creaking fixtures and whispered hints tied to visual clues, heighten tension during investigations without relying on jump scares. The audio briefly syncs with hand-drawn animations in cutscenes to amplify emotional beats. Accessibility options prioritize inclusive audio experiences, with full for all spoken available in 17 languages, including English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Players can adjust separate volume levels for music, sound effects, and , alongside large, clear subtitle text and features like no flashing lights or screen shake to accommodate sensory sensitivities.

Release

Platforms and Dates

Tangle Tower was first released as an Apple Arcade exclusive on September 19, 2019, for and devices. A standalone version followed on October 22, 2019, for macOS, , and Windows platforms, including distribution via and . Subsequent ports arrived for , , , and Xbox Series X/S on October 6, 2021. A mobile standalone release for and Android via the and occurred on September 25, 2023. The game was removed from in September 2022, ending its subscription-based availability on that service while transitioning to standalone purchases. Prior to the 2023 mobile release, no standalone version existed outside of Arcade. Technical adaptations for multi-platform support include full controller compatibility on consoles and PC, alongside touch-optimized controls for mobile and handheld devices to facilitate intuitive point-and-click interactions.

Marketing

Tangle Tower launched exclusively on on September 19, 2019, as one of the service's inaugural titles, positioning it as a mystery adventure to highlight the platform's offerings in and puzzle-solving. Promotional trailers released by Apple and developer emphasized the game's twisted mansion setting, peculiar suspects, and interrogative gameplay, drawing players into the narrative from the outset. Following its Apple Arcade debut, the game expanded to additional platforms with targeted promotions to broaden its audience. On October 22, 2019, it became available on and , where a free demo was offered on to allow prospective players to sample the investigation mechanics and . The Nintendo eShop listing featured the game prominently in its category, leveraging Switch's portable play to appeal to on-the-go mystery enthusiasts. In October 2021, ports arrived on and , further extending cross-platform accessibility. SFB Games fostered community engagement through regular updates on the Steam forums, sharing development insights and responding to player feedback, while the game's dedicated subreddit served as a hub for discussions and fan theories. Post-launch efforts included the September 25, 2023, release of standalone versions for iOS and Android on the and , marketed specifically to adventure game fans with highlights on its immersive puzzles, , and narrative depth. A dedicated mobile launch trailer underscored the game's portability for mobile detectives. Visibility was sustained through periodic discounts, such as an 80% sale in September 2022, encouraging new players during seasonal events.

Reception

Critical Response

Tangle Tower received generally positive reviews from critics, earning an aggregate score of 85 out of 100 on based on 11 critic reviews. On , the game holds a "Strong" rating with an average score of 79 from 16 critics, placing it in the top 21% of reviewed games. Critics widely praised the game's engaging and witty dialogue, which brought its diverse cast of eccentric characters to life and enhanced the murder mystery narrative. The charming hand-drawn and smooth animations were frequently highlighted for creating an immersive and atmospheric world, evoking comparisons to classic point-and-click adventures. Reviewers also commended the innovative dual-protagonist mechanics, allowing players to switch between detective roles for unique puzzle-solving perspectives that added depth to exploration and interrogation. Additionally, the game's localization into over a dozen languages was noted for its high quality, preserving the humor and nuances of the script effectively. Some criticisms focused on unresolved plot holes and an abrupt ending that left certain story threads feeling underdeveloped, potentially undermining the mystery's payoff. Occasional puzzle frustration arose from unintuitive solutions or items becoming available prematurely, though hints mitigated this for most players. The game's shorter length, typically 4 to 6 hours for the main story, was seen as a drawback by some, limiting replayability and depth despite its polished presentation. Notable reviews include TouchArcade's 4.5 out of 5 rating, which lauded the atmospheric tension and engaging elements, and The Verge's coverage emphasizing the seamless integration of voice work and visuals.

Awards and Legacy

Tangle Tower earned recognition at the 16th in 2020, where it was nominated for EE Mobile Game of the Year alongside titles such as Assemble with Care and : Mobile. This nomination reflected the game's strong critical acclaim and its innovative approach to mobile adventure gaming. The title achieved notable commercial success, with estimates indicating over 200,000 units sold and more than $2.3 million in gross revenue on by late 2023. Its impact extended to the indie sector, where it was lauded for modernizing the point-and-click format through distinctive hand-drawn visuals and witty , helping sustain interest in the genre amid a landscape dominated by larger-scale productions. In terms of legacy, Tangle Tower has fostered a dedicated community, with its developing a niche appreciation among fans of atmospheric indie scores. The game's narrative depth has also sparked ongoing discussions and creative extensions within player circles. Building on this foundation, announced a sequel in the series, initially titled The Mermaid's Tongue, in December 2023 for a planned 2024 release on PC and consoles. Subsequent updates shifted the title to The Mermaid Mask and delayed the launch to 2025, citing the small team's commitments, including the development and release of their title Crow Country earlier that year.

References

  1. https://sfbgames.com/press/sheet.php?p=tangle_tower
  2. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tangle-tower/
  3. https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/272600/view/1588006791135789849
  4. https://store.steampowered.com/app/359510/Tangle_Tower/
  5. https://sfbgames.bandcamp.com/album/tangle-tower-ost
  6. https://sfbgames.com/
  7. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2653470/The_Mermaids_Tongue/
  8. https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/386799
  9. https://store.steampowered.com/app/272600/Detective_Grimoire/
  10. https://www.metacritic.com/game/detective-grimoire/
  11. https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Tangle_Tower
  12. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1696770/The_Mermaid_Mask/
  13. https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/10/20953959/tangle-tower-mystery-puzzle-game-review-nintendo-switch-apple-arcade
  14. https://www.bigbossbattle.com/tangle-tower-lakeful-of-mysteries/
  15. http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/tangle-tower/
  16. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11025434/plotsummary/
  17. https://gamingtrend.com/reviews/a-tangled-web-of-deceit-tangle-tower-review/
  18. https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/10/22/tangle-tower-review/
  19. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/Tangle-Tower/
  20. https://detectivegrimoire.fandom.com/wiki/Detective_Hawkshaw
  21. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/Tangle-Tower/Detective-Hawkshaw/
  22. https://detectivegrimoire.fandom.com/wiki/Felix_Fellow
  23. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/Tangle-Tower/Felix-Fellow/
  24. https://adventuregamers.com/article/tangle-tower
  25. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3483278008
  26. https://www.idownloadblog.com/2019/10/14/arcade-review-tangle-tower/
  27. https://www.idownloadblog.com/2019/10/14/arcade-review-tangle-tower
  28. https://www.vg247.com/tangles-and-snips-how-two-brothers-went-from-flash-to-nintendo-and-apple
  29. https://arhiva.mediadesk.hr/uploads/mdh/document_translations/doc/000/000/112/Results_20-_20Support_20for_20Development_20of_20Video_20Games_20-_20EACEA-6-201554e9.pdf?1439880942
  30. https://intoindiegames.com/features/indie-game-developer-interview-with-adam-vian/
  31. https://www.pocketgamer.biz/behind-the-scenes-the-making-of-tangle-tower/
  32. https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/16/20917268/apple-arcade-tangle-tower-localization-translation
  33. https://www.pocketgamer.com/tangle-tower/official-launch-android-ios/
  34. https://steamdb.info/app/359510/patchnotes/
  35. http://www.catherineunger.com/tangletower
  36. https://uppercutcrit.com/tangle-tower-developers-on-their-journey-from-flash-games-to-working-with-nintendo/
  37. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1224100/Tangle_Tower_Soundtrack/
  38. https://www.mobygames.com/game/135474/tangle-tower/credits/windows/
  39. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11025434/fullcredits/
  40. https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/tangle_tower
  41. https://detectivegrimoire.fandom.com/wiki/Tangle_Tower_%28game%29
  42. https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/tangle-tower-switch/
  43. https://www.dekudeals.com/items/tangle-tower
  44. https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/tangle-tower/9pkkgfls5b49
  45. https://bleedingcool.com/games/tangle-tower-has-been-released-for-mobile-devices/
  46. https://www.appunwrapper.com/2023/09/26/tangle-tower-now-available-on-ios-and-android/
  47. https://app.backbone.com/games/JrpeoV2Pv1/tangle-tower/
  48. https://www.thegamer.com/tangle-tower-review-nintendo-switch/
  49. https://toucharcade.com/2019/10/08/apple-arcade-tangle-tower-review/
  50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1Yfzry7zBA
  51. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMMvb5JgfAk
  52. https://steamcommunity.com/app/359510/announcements/
  53. https://www.reddit.com/r/TangleTower/
  54. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sfbgames.TangleTower&hl=en_US
  55. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YWYZw1k86I
  56. https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/359510/view/2389670444081294173
  57. https://opencritic.com/game/8472/tangle-tower
  58. https://cogconnected.com/review/tangle-tower-review/
  59. https://www.bafta.org/media-centre/press-releases/nominations-announced-british-academy-games-awards-2020/
  60. https://www.ign.com/articles/bafta-games-2020-nominations-announced
  61. https://app.sensortower.com/vgi/game/tangle-tower
  62. https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/detective-grimoire-returns-as-tangle-tower-devs-announce-submarine-sequel
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.