Vaudeville

About Vaudeville

Vaudeville is an indie adventure-puzzle game by Bumblebee Studios that dropped November 2025. You play Detective Martini, figuring out three murders in a bizarre city that feels like a noir sketch comedy. The game leans heavily on AI to generate dialogue and plot twists, making each playthrough unpredictable. It’s part visual novel, part interactive mystery, with heavy emphasis on dialogue choices and environmental clues. Set in a fictional urban sprawl with a retro-futuristic vibe, the story thrives on absurdity and dark humor. The lack of combat or action means your brain, not reflexes, is the main tool. If you like branching narratives and experimental storytelling, this one’s in your wheelhouse.

Gameplay

You spend most sessions clicking through dialogue trees, interrogating eccentric characters, and piecing together clues from cryptic letters or misplaced objects. The AI dynamically shifts conversations based on your choices, sometimes introducing wild red herrings. Investigations involve dragging evidence into a virtual “clue board” to spot connections, while puzzles often require lateral thinking (like decoding a jazz-themed riddle). The camera work zooms in on character expressions for key moments, but controls are basic, mouse and keyboard only. Sessions typically last 2-4 hours, with the game saving progress after major decisions. The experimental AI means some story paths feel rewarding, others just confusing.

What Players Think

Critic score sits at 82%, praising the AI-driven unpredictability but noting pacing issues. Players average 4.3/5 stars, with 6.2 hours played and 12.5% completing the true ending. Moods are split: 34% “curious,” 28% “confused,” 19% “amused.” Reviews highlight the “ridiculous character designs” but call the mystery “overly convoluted.” Achievement stats show 32 total, with players collecting 28 on average. Some call it “a cult classic in the making,” while others gripe about “AI-generated nonsense.”

PlayPile's Take

Vaudeville costs $29.99 and offers 10-15 hours of uneven but memorable storytelling. It’s best for fans of narrative experiments or visual novels who don’t mind dead ends. The AI ambition is clear, but it’s a gamble, some will love the chaos, others will get lost. With 32 achievements and a $30 price tag, it’s a risk worth taking if you crave originality over polish. Skip it if you prefer linear mysteries.

Storyline

The player plays the role of Detective Martini, a private detective who has come to the city of Vaudeville to solve the mystery of the murders of three people.