SFB Games is no stranger to developing fun mystery adventures. Tangle Tower for the Nintendo Switch follows closely in theme to the previously released Detective Grimoire. Players take on the roles of Detective Grimoire and Sally to solve a murder at Tangle Tower, where mystery and puzzles await. While the idea of a point-and-click mystery on the Nintendo Switch may keep cautious players away at first, Tangle Tower is a fun, well-written game that should not be missed by fans of the genre.
Murder, She Wrote
At its core, Tangle Tower wants to tell a story to the player, who has considerable control over what and when they learn. From the beginning, players have almost unrestricted access to most places and may often go about from one spot to the next as they please. The story-telling aspect comes as a player takes their time to examine every bit of a room, as there are many items to investigate that reveals information about the case, the people who reside in the tower, or simply add to a rich backstory.
Beautiful Backdrops And Charismatic Characters
One aspect of the game design that makes the entire experience so welcoming is the warm art style. Tangle Tower always provides a stunning atmosphere while exploring the grounds, with each room complimented by a soft and welcoming color palette and its own individual style. The look and feel of the space that one explores is enhanced by the unique and believable personalities given to the characters you spend time speaking to about the murder.
The voice acting is spot on as well, and since there is always someone ready to reveal a bit more about the happenings at Tangle Tower, which helps keep the game immersive. Sally and Detective Grimoire, meanwhile, are two sides of the same coin. Sally is too serious and sarcastic, while Detective Grimoire seems to lack the seriousness one would expect in a murder investigation. As seen below, the first time a player attempts to work out what has occurred, the correct answer is a silly one. Sally will comment on the ridiculousness of the solution, but it is the correct one to move forward with the story.
Unique Puzzles That Fit The Theme
The game is filled with puzzles that must be completed to learn more about what has happened in Tangle Tower. They are reasonably challenging, meaning that one needs to consider for a moment how to solve them, and more importantly, they all seem to fit the theme of the space they occupy.
Finally, players have the option to either use controls or the touchscreen. In docked mode the controller use is fine, but the game is far more enjoyable in handheld mode while using the touchscreen because it feels more as though one is probing and searching for what might be investigative value.
A Great Game (The First Time Around)
The only real criticism of the game lies in the lack of replay value. The puzzles are interesting and unique, but once complete, they provide no subsequent challenge.
With a significant amount of well-written dialogue and a rich backstory to slowly discover, Tangle Tower is a treat to play throughout. There are few exposition heavy monologues, and as players can explore the areas mostly as they please, it is probable that two players could experience the game in different ways. Hopefully, SFB Games continues to make more titles like Tangle Tower, as the experience was enjoyable and engaging.
A Switch copy of Tangle Tower was purchased for this review. Tangle Tower is available now on Steam, Apple Arcade, and the Nintendo Switch.