The locked-room murder is one of gaming’s most satisfying puzzles, and today SFB Games delivers its most polished version yet. The Mermaid Mask — the fourth entry in the beloved Detective Grimoire series — is out now on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.
From Tangle Tower to the Mortuga Submarine
If you played Tangle Tower (2019), you already know SFB Games’ signature blend of hand-animated characters, sharp writing, and satisfying deductive puzzles. The Mermaid Mask transplants that formula to a new stage: the Mortuga Submarine, a hulking diesel vessel anchored off the abandoned fishing town of Silkwirm-on-Sea. The ship’s former captain, Magnus Mortuga, has been found dead inside a locked bulkhead room with no weapon present — an impossible crime that only Detective Grimoire can unravel.
SFB Games is also the studio behind Crow Country (2024), the acclaimed PSX-horror adventure, making them one of indie gaming’s most versatile outfits. Fans of either game should feel right at home here.
Watch the Official Trailer
Eight Suspects, One Dead Captain, and a Logic Board That Does the Heavy Lifting
Gameplay follows the Detective Grimoire rhythm: explore the submarine’s rooms, pick up fully 3D physical clues you can rotate to expose hidden details, and question eight fully voiced suspects — a mystic, a writer, an actor, an illusionist, and more — about their motives and alibis. Everything gets logged into a built-in notebook, which feeds into the game’s accusation board where you build the chain of events: who did it, how, and why.
The step up from Tangle Tower is in tactility — clues are three-dimensional objects you can manipulate, not just static images to click on, and the full orchestral score (performed by the Budapest Art Orchestra) gives interrogation scenes a cinematic tension that the earlier games lacked.
A Fully Voiced Cast Brings Every Suspect to Life
Edwyn Tiong (Malaysian-born, based in Australia) reprises Detective Grimoire, his signature role since the original 2014 game, alongside Amber Lee Connors as the ever-sceptical Sally. The supporting cast includes Tara Langella, Steven Kearney, Justine Leah Hince, Anairis Quinones, Eric Morgan Stuart, Jacqui Bardelang, and Alex Bankier — each character expressively hand-animated and voiced to match SFB Games’ theatrical, darkly comedic tone.
Critical Reception: 9/10 at Launch
Shacknews awarded The Mermaid Mask a 9 out of 10 in their launch review, calling it a “smart, silly, and charming adventure that will lock mystery lovers into its intriguing tale” and noting it is “a captivating mystery that rewards whether you’re new to the series or have been along for the ride.”
Where to Get The Mermaid Mask in Singapore
The Mermaid Mask is available today on the PlayStation Store (PS5), the Nintendo eShop (Switch 2 and Switch), and Steam (PC). SFB Games also has a free demo on Steam if you want to sample the mystery before committing — it covers the opening chapter and gives a solid feel for the pacing. Check your regional storefront for local SGD pricing.
If you’re hunting for more puzzle and story-driven games to sink into, head to our Game News section for the latest releases landing in Singapore this month.