I’m excited to talk about Parallel Experiment by Eleven Puzzles, published by Eleven Puzzles. To begin with, this game nails co-op puzzle design with over 80 clever challenges. Additionally, many players praised its comic book art style and noir vibe. One reviewer even said, “I got that ‘oh, it solves like that?’ moment and laughed out loud.” Previously, the studio built games on Unity, and now they push cross-platform play between PC, Mac, tablets, and phones. As a completionist, I especially loved that every puzzle and mini-game includes hidden clues and collectible comic pages. Notably, even the “annoy your partner” feature ties into the puzzle flow.
I jumped into this as soon as it launched. Since I explore open worlds for secrets, this game felt refreshingly different. When I first saw the split-screen mechanic, I immediately thought of Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime, but the detective theme here is tighter. For instance, I loved redirecting water in one room to unlock a drawer in the other. It felt like a real escape room you could carry in your pocket. Moreover, Eleven Puzzles worked on user feedback in their Discord. That live community directly shaped some of the later puzzles. As a result, the pacing surprises me because it balances serious detective work with playful retro mini-games.
I test competitive titles for balance and depth. In this case, the puzzles require precise timing and clear communication. One standout mechanic has you solder a circuit on one side while your partner reads instructions from a comic panel. Consequently, that blends story and gameplay smoothly. I compared it to The Room and Tick Tock: A Tale for Two. While those games are more solitary, Parallel Experiment forces you to talk or type clues every few minutes. That, in turn, creates tense, focused sessions. As someone who streams strategy guides, I also appreciate how the developers published a brief design diary on Steam, explaining their logic behind each puzzle’s step count and move limit.
I love speed runs and optimizing every second. In Parallel Experiment, you can shave off time by mastering each mini-game. I memorized the dart patterns in the bar mini-game. That cut two minutes off our first play. The call-and-response clue mechanic has a strict timer, so you learn to use shorthand again and again. One tip: assign one player to always take notes in the in-game notebook. That saves time when puzzles loop back. Eleven Puzzles even added a speedrun leaderboard idea on their Reddit thread. I hope they make official timers.
Let’s dive into story and narrative. The comic book panels look hand-drawn. They echo noir classics, like Sin City. Ally and Old Dog feel real because each has unique dialogue. The devs said in an interview they spent months on panel pacing to keep you hooked. The plot twists around the Cryptic Killer keep tension high. Still, a few players felt some cutscenes dragged. I agree the game sometimes pauses too long for exposition. But the cutscene quality makes up for it. It feels like reading a gritty detective comic.
The world-building is strong. You unzip vents, hack terminals, and read NPC diaries. That feels immersive. You even sip coffee in one scene to restore your focus. It’s these small touches that match what I love in RPGs—environmental storytelling. The dialogue puzzles are a nice twist. You don’t just talk; you solve riddles in speech. That’s a fresh spin on interactive dialogue.
On mechanics, I also see how Parallel Experiment pushes the puzzle genre forward. You use your device’s gyroscope to tilt items in some puzzles. You drag wires with precise motion. That’s on mobile and PC. The cross-platform control mapping works well. The transitions between mini-games and puzzles stay smooth, even on older hardware. A user on Steam noted slight frame dips on first-gen tablets, but the team patched most issues in the latest update.
Audio and sound design matter for speed runs. This game uses ambient jazz and eerie beats. I like the track “Midnight Code” playing when you race a timer. It builds tension. The click-clack of locks and dripping water sound effects help you time your next move. Voice acting is minimal but fitting. Ally’s dry wit and Old Dog’s gruff tone track to their personalities.
Visually, the game uses a custom Unity renderer. The black-and-white panels splash color on important clues. That art direction guides the eye right to switches and codes. The retro mini-games switch to bright, saturated palettes for contrast. I saw consistent frame rates on PC and Mac. On mobile, you need a mid-range phone to keep 60 fps, based on forum reports.
Characters grow through dialogue. Ally has a past case that haunts her and ties into the Cryptic Killer’s motive. Old Dog teases her but has his own secrets. A random Steam comment joked about a “toxic yuri” subplot, but I think the writing stays respectful. The devs told us they aimed for inclusivity by letting you choose which character you control first.
On challenge, the puzzles range from fair to fiendish. Some users noted a difficulty spike around the halfway mark. That is true. But there’s an accessibility menu for hints. You can adjust clue clarity. That helps less-seasoned players. And the echo feature lets you replay voice lines.
Replay value is strong. Once you know the puzzle solutions, you can speed-run each chapter. The hidden comic pages and secret mini-game modes unlock only on a second play. Similar co-op puzzlers, like Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, rely on chaos. Parallel Experiment relies on deep design. That makes me want multiple runs.
Parallel Experiment excels in cooperative puzzle gameplay, blending immersive storytelling, artistic visuals, and clever mechanics in a way few titles attempt. Developed by Eleven Puzzles, it builds on their prior successes and appeals to all player types—whether you’re a completionist, an explorer, a strategist, or a speedrunner. If you love co-op puzzle games, similar must-plays include Tick Tock: A Tale for Two, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, the We Were Here series, Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime, and The Room VR. These titles elevate teamwork, communication, and narrative-driven problem-solving for any puzzle adventure enthusiast.
