Murder by Numbers

 PC
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Eurogamer
    Mar 5, 2020
    Shades of Picross and Phoenix Wright blend together in this unlikely but utterly lovable genre mash-up. [Eurogamer Recommended]
  2. GameSpace
    Mar 24, 2020
    If you’re looking for a hard knocks challenge then Murder By Numbers is probably not for you, and that is no real surprise. Murder By Numbers comes from the same team that released Hatoful Boyfriend into the wild and it relies on some fantastic writing. Filled with quirky 90s cheese, engaging characters, and some fantastic animation, Murder by numbers is the sort of case file that goes above and beyond the line of duty.
  3. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Mar 10, 2020
    The problem, really, is that while both aspects of Murder By Numbers are pretty good, neither of them are given enough space to really breathe. There are too few picross puzzles for puzzlers, and there’s not enough visual novel for VN lovers. I wouldn’t not recommend Murder by numbers, but it would perhaps have benefited from being a bit longer than it is (an easy demand to make of an indie game, I’m sure you’ll agree). Still, though, it’s worth a poke around if you’re a fan of either genre involved. And I still can’t get the theme song out of my head.
  5. The Verge
    Mar 6, 2020
    If you’re smack in the middle of the venn diagram of “people who love numbers” and “people who want to solve fantastical anime murders” there’s really nothing else like Murder by Numbers.

Awards & Rankings

80
#80 Best PC Game of 2020

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 17
  3. Negative: 4 out of 17
  1. adelicateorange
    Aug 29, 2020
    8
    Murder By Numbers is the combination of number-pixel puzzles and a slew of murder mysteries wrapped inside of a pretty short game (dependingMurder By Numbers is the combination of number-pixel puzzles and a slew of murder mysteries wrapped inside of a pretty short game (depending on how fast you can solve them). MBN's difficulty does ramp up fast. With that increase of difficulty I did find myself getting tired out after one puzzle. Some may find this as a negative, but I think that's great. This does mean that the overarching story is a little lengthy because lots of time needs to be invested in each puzzle. However, that's perfectly fine for me. That's even par for the course when it comes to puzzle games.

    Definitely a recommend.    … Full Review »
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