Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved

About Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved

Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved is a narrative-driven adventure game mixed with visual novel elements. Developed by Armonica and released November 26, 2025, it plays out on PC and Switch. You start as an amnesiac passenger on a train where a woman vanished and no one remembers her. The story unfolds through dialogue trees, evidence collection, and environmental clues. It leans into classic Japanese adventure tropes but adds a twist by making memory loss a key mechanic. Players piece together the mystery through branching choices and interrogations. The vibe is moody and cerebral, with a focus on figuring out a conspiracy tied to the missing woman’s fate.

Gameplay

The core loop involves navigating the train’s compartments, gathering items, and speaking to passengers who forget key details. Each conversation branches based on your detective skills, highlight clues to trigger memory flashes. You spend most sessions clicking to interact, scanning scenes for red herrings, and making dialogue choices that subtly shift story outcomes. Mini-games like examining a hotel crime scene or decoding a letter break up the visual novel segments. The Switch port adapts well to touch controls. Sessions often end with you piecing together fragmented memories, but the lack of a traditional inventory system can feel clunky. The story stretches over 8, 10 hours, with optional side quests adding depth but not urgency.

What Players Think

Community ratings sit at 8.2/10 on PlayPile, with 72% of players completing the main story. Average playtime is 8.5 hours, though 30% report replaying for alternate endings. Mood tags are 68% pensive, 22% intrigued, and 10% frustrated. One user wrote, “The memory mechanic is clever but grinds the pacing down.” Critics praised the “atmospheric writing” but noted repetitive dialogue. Achievements include “Find the Hidden Letter” and “Uncover All Conspiracy Links,” with 45% of players earning full completion. Price isn’t listed yet, but early access buyers are vocal about its $29.99 value.

PlayPile's Take

This game works best for fans of slow-burn mysteries and dialogue-heavy stories. The memory twist is fresh but occasionally hinders pacing. At its price point, it’s a solid pick for narrative-focused players who don’t mind a lack of action. However, the repetitive investigation loops may test patience. If you enjoy figuring out secrets through conversations and detail-hunting, it’s worth a shot. Skip it if you crave fast decisions or combat. The 40+ achievements add replayability for completionists.

Storyline

Following the grisly murder of a man in an unassuming hotel, a woman vanishes without a trace while traveling on a cross-country train. The catch? Nobody on board remembers her ever existing in the first place - nobody, except for you. Can you solve the mystery of the missing woman before the end of your trip abroad? Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved is a brand new Detective Adventure Game/Visual Novel, in the style of classic adventure games from Japan. Investigate areas and interrogate witnesses on the path towards solving the mystery and uncovering a sinister conspiracy!