Alan Sharp is a paid adventure puzzle game with heavy psychological horror elements. This thrilling experience courtesy of Mystive Studios puts you in the shoes of a detective in the 1970s called back from retirement after a small boy was mercilessly killed, and the weird circumstances surrounding it.

With its mix of genres in one neat package, Alan Sharp feels like a good combination of Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Daughter as well as the atmospheric tension you’d find in entries like Summer of ‘58. Despite its length, it’s hard to put this game down once you’ve started following the story.

Built with a delicate balance

Rave reviews about Alan Sharp celebrate its well-crafted balance of the detective, action, and horror genres. Not only do you have to keep an eye out for the elements of darkness lurking in unexpected corners, but you also have to make sure no clue goes past you. Also on the puzzles, it’s a mix of various kinds: visual puzzles, logical, and even arithmetic ones. So make sure to be ready.

In terms of visuals, it makes the detective aspect of the game shine through with a cinematographic approach to delivering key parts of the story. Despite being an indie game developed by only two developers, it has carefully crafted cutscenes that add tension or suspense–depending on what the scene specifically needs. This alone is enough reason to try out this game.

Lastly, for gamers still unsure about this one, there’s a free Demo Version you can try out, playing as Sharp’s ex-assistant. This sports the same balance and graphics quality, giving you a taste of the great full game ahead. Though understandable as a small indie project developed in-and-out, there are a few bugs in the game. These bugs vary from timing issues in the dialogues to problems with environmental interactions.

Still highly recommended

Although bugs exist under very specific conditions, Alan Sharp is largely playable and is a complete, engaging experience in itself. It masterfully balances multiple game genres and sports impressively detailed graphics. Even its storytelling is nothing short of superb, with camera angles and color choices aiding in delivering the mood required. All this is made more impressive by the fact that it was a passion project of two indie developers.