The Last Case of Benedict Fox is a paid adventure game from Rogue Games Inc. This 2D platformer combines survival horror elements with its Lovecraftian premise with the basic Metroidvania treatment.  You play as the titular Benedict Fox, a self-proclaimed detective with a dark secret. Investigate a grisly world as you try to find the lost child of a recently-murdered couple.

A unique and crafty fusion of different genres, The Last Case of Benedict Fox will tick checkboxes for many gamers. Imagine aesthetics like Call of Cthulhu or Call of The Sea, but with gameplay like GRIME or Hollow Knight.

Enter memories and battle cosmic horrors

In The Last Case of Benedict Fox, the premise revolves around you entering the memories of other people, Inception-style. However, as the subjects are deceased and have suffered violent deaths, these worlds are presented as decaying locations filled with monsters that you’ll need to fight—all for a piece of vital memory, or a “testimony.” This is quite a unique premise, which also explains the game's focus on puzzle-based investigative gameplay.

Most Lovecraft-inspired games are survival-horror and puzzle-solving in nature, and this game combines all of that with a 2D Metroidvania experience. This creates a unique feel that is definitely at home with the rest of either sub-genre. Also, the character design deserves recognition. Benedict Fox looks like a lanky average man, like most Lovecraft protagonists, but with a demon inside him to give you fighting skills reminiscent of Castlevania titles.

It sticks to tried-and-tested aspects of these different genres, which leaves only the premise and the gameplay itself. Premise-wise, expect dark high-fantasy concepts filled with mature materials: gore, violence, and conspiracies. Additionally, it has a surprisingly high difficulty level, almost like an unforgiving Souls-like. Lastly, the jazz soundtrack is something to check out in this game, perfectly capturing a late 1920s vibe consistent with the visuals.

The Last Case of Benedict Fox Final Verdict: A Challenging Lovecraftian Adventure Worth Exploring

The Last Case of Benedict Fox offers a thrilling and captivating experience for fans of the Lovecraftian genre and Metroidvania-style games. It masterfully combines puzzle-solving, survival horror, and investigative gameplay, while delivering a visually stunning and challenging adventure. The unique memory-diving premise, combined with its compelling storyline and well-developed characters, makes for a memorable experience.

However, the game's high difficulty level and some occasional frustrating moments can detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite this, The Last Case of Benedict Fox stands out as an ambitious and engaging game, worthy of your time if you're a fan of Lovecraftian themes and 2D platformers. Just be prepared to face some hurdles and embrace the challenge that comes with it.

Beautiful, haunting, and difficult

The Last Case of Benedict Fox is the perfect entry if you’re a fan of Lovecraftian video games with a flair for the challenge. Set in the 1920s, it offers a seamless combination of different experiences all at once, making the most of its graphics and audio for a 2D platforming game. While it’s fun and enjoyable, expect a frustrating playthrough thanks to its battles and puzzles.