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The Sexy Brutale |OT| Masques and murder

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Site | $19.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox One | Steam, GOG, PSN, Xbox Store
Gameplay Trailer | Teaser Trailer | Character Trailers: The Staff of the Brutale, The Clockwork Baron, The Moth by Moonlight, The Flame in the Dark


Join the never-ending masked ball at ”The Sexy Brutale" casino mansion – a puzzle-and-adventure game featuring intrigue, murder and the (quite-possibly) occult!

The enigmatic Marquis – owner and maestro of the mansion – appears to be missing from his own party. In his absence, his guests are being murdered by mansion's staff in a range of bizarre and horrifying ways.
As elderly priest Lafcadio Boone, you seem to be protected from some of the worst dangers in the mansion. It falls to you to explore deep into the mansion, saving the guests and uncovering the terrible secrets in the darkest heart of the The Sexy Brutale...

___________________________________________________________________________

Set during a single, endlessly-looping day within ”The Sexy Brutale" – a stately English mansion converted into a bizarre casino and named by the enigmatic Marquis – players take on the role of elderly priest Lafcadio Boone. To progress, Boone must hide, watch and learn the colorful stories of the other guests at the ball in order to save them from grisly deaths at the hands of the mansion's staff.

By discovering the key moments and methods how each guest can be saved and gaining occult-seeming powers linked to their masks, Lafcadio is able to explore deeper and deeper into the mysteries of the mansion's past and inhabitants to uncover the truth hidden at the heart of The Sexy Brutale.
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  • Unique ”Groundhog Day" puzzle concept – hours of gameplay exploring a single day from different perspectives and locations
  • Watch, listen and learn until you are ready to act to save each guest from murder
  • Multiple distinct areas of the mansion to explore, each with its own scenario, characters and puzzles
  • Darkly-humorous murder-mystery story spanning the entire mansion
  • Exotic cast of characters, including 9 guests
  • Acquire special powers by saving victims to progress deeper into the mansion and uncover the secret at the heart of The Sexy Brutale
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ACG - "Easily A Buy"
"There is so much here that is enjoyable to do, so much to explore. And while it doesn't have anything more than a second or third playthrough replayability, that's more than enough for the price that they're asking, at how many hours of enjoyment you're going to get through this. It's really a different style of puzzle game and it really surprised me

....It really was, just simply, a blast. I never expected to like it as much as I did..."

Jimquisition - 10/10
Blast it all if it isn't another impeccable entry in a year swarming with quality already. I fear this one will get lost in the shuffle of big budget games, but make no mistake – The Sexy Brutale deserves as much attention as any Horizon, Zelda, Nioh or Persona.

Hardcore Gamer - 4.5/5
In the end, The Sexy Brutale is a marvelous and unique delight of a murder mystery, one you'll have walked away from feeling shocked over what exactly you just saw play out in the story, satisfied over the challenging puzzles you'll have solved to help out each masked guest, and dazzled over the vibrant and mesmerizing aesthetics.

Push Square - 9/10
The Sexy Brutale is a very different type of game to anything on the PS4 currently, taking up a Groundhog Day-style in gameplay that is excellently executed. The game is perfectly presented with outstanding audio and visuals that are able to switch the tone of the story from being joyfully upbeat to a very dark within a matter of moments. The story does a great job of keeping you fixated on looking for answers from beginning to end and its conclusion will leave you more than satisfied with your time spent solving its interestingly intricate puzzles.

PSU - 8.5/10
Awash in a frankly ridiculous amount of charm and bolstered by a genuinely innovative time travel mechanic, The Sexy Brutale is one of the most deliciously refreshing puzzlers to come along in a good long while

IGN - 8.2/10
Every murder The Sexy Brutale includes is uniquely fascinating to investigate, with the central loop of searching for clues and executing a plan to alter time continually engaging. I found Boone's quest so fascinating, the Brutale's secrets so alluring, and its world so charming that I rewound the clock just to spend a few more days in Lafcadio's beautiful nightmare.

Destructoid - 8/10
Though The Sexy Brutale fumbles a few times -- especially near the end when it rushes toward a narrative payoff -- it never hurts the experience. Uncovering the mansion's secrets and the twisted plot that dooms its guests is exciting. Compared to almost any other puzzle game, The Sexy Brutale's dark tone and inspired art stand out from the crowd. Solving murder might not be the most cheerful work, but it's one hell of a good time.

Playstation Lifestyle - 8/10
When it comes to love letters to an era of gaming long since passed, you would be hard pressed to find something more heartfelt than The Sexy Brutale. It offers up a modern take on an extremely dated design, all made palatable with the help of time-travel. While this affectionate note may have a few typos, mainly in the form of puzzles with obtuse leaps in logic, it's hardly enough to detract from the deep-seeded sincerity sprinkled throughout the experience. This is one sexy experience, indeed

Wccftech - 8/10
While I may have some minor gripes with The Sexy Brutale, I think it's a wonderful puzzle game, one that'll really reward your time. The mansion is smartly designed, harking to the intelligently planned Spencer Mansion of Resident Evil, and the way you learn about characters is inspired by one of the most unique aspects of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. The Sexy Brutale has bombastic music, a great cast, and some very satisfying puzzles. While not outstanding, it's well worth your time.

Metro - 8/10
An inspired mix of graphic adventure and Majora's Mask style time travel, that offers some of the year's most inspired puzzle-solving

VideoGamer - 8/10
The secret stories Father Lafcadio uncovers are lovely, but you won't always enjoy the process of uncovering them. Still, a series of elegant murders, with elegant stories, in an elegant mansion is enough to show anyone a good time. Time and time again...

Game Informer - 7.75/10
The Sexy Brutale's repetitive nature bogs down what is otherwise a clever title. Tequila Works' cast of characters are lovably eccentric and its puzzles are consistently rewarding. Unfortunately, The Sexy Brutale confirms one of the overlooked flaws of time travel: reliving the same day repeatedly can be tedious.

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Sloane

Banned
Been following the game's development for a while, didn't expect it to get that good reviews though. Nice!
 

Mifec

Member
Murder Masques woulda been better imho but I didn't respond when you asked for a title so this it is.
 

Corpekata

Banned
Probably snagging this. I love games with murder mysteries or that actually let you feel like an investigator. A lot of games dress up in that sort of design but fall flat in the execution. Sounds like this delivers.
 
I read a tweet from someone who mentioned.

Flower, Sun & Rain and The Last Express.

Pre-ordered it straight on the back of those games being mentioned. Can't wait to get into to tonight.
 
8/10 from Destructoid
https://www.destructoid.com/review-the-sexy-brutale-430357.phtml
Though The Sexy Brutale fumbles a few times -- especially near the end when it rushes toward a narrative payoff -- it never hurts the experience. Uncovering the mansion's secrets and the twisted plot that dooms its guests is exciting. Compared to almost any other puzzle game, The Sexy Brutale's dark tone and inspired art stand out from the crowd. Solving murder might not be the most cheerful work, but it's one hell of a good time.
 

Anno

Member
Looks neat. Somehow I never heard of this until someone posted the Jimquisition review in the Steam thread. So it's kind of a Last Express type puzzle/adventure game by way of time travel? Neat.
 

Wok

Member
Insta-bought... after reading the review scores.

I cannot believe the number of people who have never heard of the game. Does anyobody else read the recommendations in Steam OT anymore?


The Sexy Brutale
- Wok
The Sexy Brutale is a Murder-Mystery Adventure developed by Cavalier Game Studios and Tequila Works. Inside the casino mansion, its inhabitants are reliving the same day over and over again - trapped in a nightmare loop full of murders and intrigues to unravel.
 
I heard the IGN UK guys talking about this. They were super high on it and clearly not the only ones.

Definitely gonna check this out.
 

wouwie

Member
Seems like a "must buy" for me. I'm always in for a good puzzle/adventure game and a murder mystery to solve.
 
Insta-bought... after reading the review scores.

I cannot believe the number of people who have never heard of the game. Does anyobody else read the recommendations in Steam OT anymore?

Steam OTs are moving at a speed that make 'em really incomprehensible from the outside.
 

dreamfall

Member
Really excited to try this out! Multilayered puzzles playing out in real time sounds like a pretty amazing achievement, especially as the murders continue.
 
I don't go to the Steam OT because it moves so fast and is hard for me to post in regularly. I can't really do more than one fast moving thread at a time, I just don't have the patience or time or brain for it.

OTs work way better for me.

I'm definitely picking this up soon, I had no idea it was even out tomorrow which is amazing since I'm an indy whore and spread my cheeks for most indy games
 
Every month, there is a list of recommended games to be released during the month in the first post.
Jim talking about the game and how each puzzle has its own unique characters, lore, story, etc. and how the puzzles get more clever and complex, sounds really exciting

I don't go to the Steam OT because it moves so fast and is hard for me to post in regularly. I can't really do more than one fast moving thread at a time, I just don't have the patience or time or brain for it.

OTs work way better for me
Recommended releases are listed in the Steam thread OT, no need to sift through the thread
 

Nezzhil

Member
I added it to my wishlist as soon it was up on Steam since I watched the reveal trailer at last year Gamescom (I like the time traveling and mystery themes), so I'm glad that at the end the game seems to be a good one.

Edit: I still need to buy Shadow Tactics, I don't know what of the two buy and play first.
 

r3n4ud

Member
I don't go to the Steam OT because it moves so fast and is hard for me to post in regularly. I can't really do more than one fast moving thread at a time, I just don't have the patience or time or brain for it.

OTs work way better for me.

I'm definitely picking this up soon, I had no idea it was even out tomorrow which is amazing since I'm an indy whore and spread my cheeks for most indy games
Steam OTs aren't what they used to be. Things have slowed down quite a bit for awhile now. Would love to see your opinion on the game, perhaps even in the Steam OT :p

But ya, this game looks all sorts of awesomesauce. Normally I would have picked this up day 0, but trying to cut back on game purchases. Look forward to playing down the road though :(
 
I added it to my wishlist as soon it was up on Steam since I watched the reveal trailer at last year Gamescom (I like the time traveling and mystery themes), so I'm glad that at the end the game seems to be a good one.

Edit: I still need to buy Shadow Tactics, I don't know what of the two buy and play first.
Shadow Tactics is a long, very challenging game. These seems to be the choice if you want something short and sweet
 
If you like this Groundhog Day/time loop concept, you should keep an eye on Elsinore and Twelve Minutes

The former is Hamlet from the perspective of Ophilia, as you use the knowledge of past loops to prevent the inevitable massacre

The latter takes played over a titular 12 minute loop, with a lot of reactivity and granular choices that unfold the story as you discover new branches

 
ACG - "Easily A Buy"
"There is so much here that is enjoyable to do, so much to explore. And while it doesn't have anything more than a second or third playthrough replayability, that's more than enough for the price that they're asking, at how many hours of enjoyment you're going to get through this. It's really a different style of puzzle game and it really surprised me

....It really was, just simply, a blast. I never expected to like it as much as I did..."

IGN - 8.2/10
Every murder The Sexy Brutale includes is uniquely fascinating to investigate, with the central loop of searching for clues and executing a plan to alter time continually engaging. I found Boone's quest so fascinating, the Brutale's secrets so alluring, and its world so charming that I rewound the clock just to spend a few more days in Lafcadio's beautiful nightmare.
 

Timeaisis

Member
Love the premise. Odd name, though.

Will have to check this out when I have a spare moment. The onslaught of games is insane right now.
 

1upsuper

Member
Looks interesting, I'll probably pick it up. Conceptually it kinda reminds me of Ghost Trick, but not in terms of actual gameplay.
 

BTA

Member
Mhmmmm ok, more positive reviews convinced me (along with my existing significant interest) to get it sooner rather than later. I'll pick this up on PS4 and chip away at it alongside Persona and Zelda and...
 
I just saw something for this game yesterday. It sounded like something I would love when I heard mentions of Clue! and Groundhog Day. Will be buying on PSN and hopefully I'll get a chance to play this weekend.
 
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