Pulpergeist

About

Pulpergeist drops you into a small-town mystery with a dark twist. You play a down-on-your-luck investigator who answers a cryptic letter about a missing boy. The case quickly spirals into something eerie, forcing you to navigate haunted spaces, crack environmental puzzles, and avoid supernatural threats. The game leans into classic point-and-click mechanics, letting you interact with objects and environments to piece together clues. It's built for the Playdate, which means the dual-screen setup and crank add a tactile layer to exploration and puzzle-solving. The real hook is how it balances its pulpy detective premise with sudden tonal shifts. Early scenes feel straightforward, but the story quickly dives into body horror and cosmic dread, creating a dissonant blend of genres. Developer crandaddy has a history of quirky, atmospheric projects, and this one leans into that strength. With a runtime of around four hours, it's short but dense with unsettling details and clever, sometimes cruel puzzles. The retro pixel art and tight pacing keep it feeling fresh, even as it channels decades-old adventure tropes.