There's Always a Madman: The MacGuffin

About There's Always a Madman: The MacGuffin

There's Always a Madman: The MacGuffin is a spy-themed visual novel developed by Sunny Demeanor Games, released on February 6, 2026, for PC. You play as secret agent Franklin Benjamin, tasked with rescuing Virginia after she’s kidnapped by your rogue mentor, Dustin MacGuffin. The game blends dialogue-driven storytelling with action set pieces, letting players make choices that shape the narrative and outcomes. With a focus on espionage tropes, sabotage, deception, and high-stakes heists, it’s designed for fans of branching narratives and character-driven plots. The single-player campaign prioritizes player agency, offering multiple paths to resolve the conflict between loyalty and duty.

Gameplay

The core loop alternates between dialogue-heavy scenes and brief action segments. Players navigate branching conversations, selecting lines that influence relationships and plot direction. When action breaks occur, you manage stealth takedowns, lockpicking mini-games, or strategic planning for missions. Each decision, whether bribing a guard or sabotaging a lab, impacts the story’s trajectory, with up to six distinct endings. Sessions typically last 20, 40 minutes, depending on replay attempts to unlock all outcomes. Controls are straightforward, relying on mouse clicks and keyboard inputs for quick-time events. The game emphasizes pacing, balancing slow-burn dialogue with sudden bursts of tension, but some action sequences feel underdeveloped compared to the narrative depth.

What Players Think

PlayPile users rate it 4.2/5, with 85% completing the base story. Average playtime is 10 hours, though replays push it to 18+ for full completion. Community moods skew 65% “excited” for branching narratives, 25% “curious” about MacGuffin’s motives, and 10% “confused” by inconsistent pacing. Critics at GameSpot praise its “sharp dialogue and moral ambiguity” but note “spotty action design.” The game costs $19.99, with 15 achievements (70% completion average). User reviews highlight the satisfying “spy movie” vibe but question if $20 justifies the modest action content.

PlayPile's Take

This game is a must-play for visual novel fans who enjoy layered storytelling and moral dilemmas. The $19.99 price tag feels fair for the narrative depth, especially with 15 achievements offering replay incentive. However, the lackluster action segments and short runtime may deter players seeking gameplay variety. If you value character-driven spy fiction over kinetic gameplay, it’s worth the investment. Skip it if you crave fast-paced action or open-world exploration.

Storyline

It was supposed to be the rarest of all things - a day with no mission for secret agent Franklin Benjamin. That is, until you woke up to find Virginia gone and a note left behind telling you she had been taken. That note was left behind by your old partner, Dustin MacGuffin, who's since gone rogue. Now he's up to something and using her as leverage to keep you from getting involved. Time to use your particular set of skills. Time to get the MacGuffin!