Let’s dive in. Unheard – Voices of Crime by NEXT Studios, published by NEXT Studios, feels fresh. Moreover, I loved the audio spatialization. In particular, you can rewind, pause, and speed up scenes. It cuts run time. Notably, users on Steam praised the free DLC level and tight controls. It made my best speedrun prep.
Shifting focus to deep mechanics, Unheard lets you tag voices, track clues, and link characters. In effect, it feels like a puzzle RPG with no combat. You master each audio thread like a skill tree. Consequently, I compared it to Radio Drama games and interactive fiction like Her Story. Overall, this game pushes boundaries.
I hunt every detail. Importantly, the game logs every voice clip and name match. I’m chasing all achievements. Steam reviewers said they stayed up hours replaying cases. That perfectly matches my marathon style. Additionally, I love that NEXT Studios added replay markers for every clue. It saves tons of time.
I roam open worlds and love secrets. Similarly, in Unheard, you roam crime scenes in audio form. I found hidden side threads, like minor characters whose lines hint at the killer. It felt like a scavenger hunt. In fact, this ties into recent games like Telling Lies. As a result, it keeps me ahead of new narrative trends.
Overall, players rave about innovative gameplay, neat audio tech, and strong writing that keeps you coming back for more. Many even praise the game’s ability to turn even the smallest sound cue into a crucial clue, making every line of dialogue feel significant. Furthermore, the blend of interactive editing tools with immersive narrative holds attention through hours of investigation.
A few mentioned that the UI feels a bit heavy at first, especially when toggling multiple panels on the screen, but after ten minutes, tagging becomes second nature, making each investigation flow smoothly. The intuitive drag‑and‑drop markers and customizable layout help streamline your workflow, and optional tutorials guide new players through advanced features.
The unique rewind feature helps me shave off seconds on repeat sections—I set custom markers, skip non-essential lines, and speed through what I’ve already heard. Moreover, the way you play as an editor, deciding which conversation branches to follow, gives a thoughtful, non-linear flow that feels fresh every time, encouraging multiple strategies.
I can filter characters by role, search by name, and highlight keywords on the fly. It’s a collector’s dream, perfect for anyone who loves organizing clues. Then you hop between rooms on a detailed map; exploring every corner rewards you with extra audio snippets and environmental sounds that deepen the mystery. The optional hint system offers gentle nudges when you’re stuck, balancing challenge with accessibility.
The plot hooks you fast—a masked gunslinger, a crooked cop, and a silent witness weave tangled motives across each case. NEXT Studios aimed for a radio drama vibe, blending detective fiction with immersive theatre, and the result is uncanny. You’ll uncover hidden subplots that reveal deeper conspiracies beyond the main storyline.
Dialogue feels authentic; I rewound a heated argument three times just to catch every nuance. Subtle background chatter and dynamic soundscapes underscore key conversations, adding layers to each scene. Pacing spikes at key reveals, so you feel each twist like you’re listening to a top-ranking true-crime podcast. The well-timed dramatic pauses leave you hanging, eager to piece together the next clue.
Powered by the Unity engine, the game presents a clean 2D map and intuitive icons. The minimalist black-and-gold art style focuses your mind on the audio, without distractions. Subtle animations—like flickering neon signs or shifting shadows—bring each scene to life without overwhelming the senses.
I experienced no frame drops on PC or Steam Deck; performance remains rock-solid even during dramatic moments. Mobile support is equally stable, with touch-friendly controls for seamless tagging on the go. Additionally, the muted color palette evokes the feel of an old radio broadcast script, reinforcing the immersive atmosphere while maintaining clarity on small screens.
The soundtrack blends tense strings and haunting piano—especially the track “Nightfall Echoes,” which underscores each suspenseful beat. Sound effects also guide you naturally—footsteps and creaking doors pinpoint where you need to listen next. Spatial audio support enhances immersion, letting you feel sound directionality in headphones.
Voice acting is a standout: the detective’s gravelly tone and the librarian’s calm whispers both deliver emotional depth. Each actor records multiple inflections, so you catch hidden meanings when lines repeat. I replayed key lines to uncover hidden meanings, and the audio mix stays crystal-clear at any volume level, thanks to dynamic range control.
Each character has a unique voice tag, making name-matching a breeze and speeding up your analysis. The crooked cop’s fragmented backstory unfolds in scattered lines, so you piece together his arc as you go, uncovering motivations intertwined with broader conspiracies.
I especially love the librarian’s quiet strength—she delivers vital clues exactly once, making you pay attention. Additional NPCs, like an older street informant with a shaky voice and a tech‑savvy teenager, expand the cast, ensuring each case introduces new perspectives and emotional stakes.
Unheard: Voices of Crime is more puzzle than action. You need sharp ears, sharp wits, and quick tagging skills. Early cases ease you in gently with guided markers; later ones ramp up demanding full focus and creative deduction. While some cases feel lengthy, the marker system breaks them into bite-sized tasks, and you can adjust difficulty in settings to suit your pace.
Plus, you can replay any audio segment at will, perfect for players who prefer a slower, more thorough exploration of each storyline. Timed challenges reward speedrunners with bonus achievements, encouraging you to shave off seconds without missing vital clues.
With five main cases and a free DLC chapter, each run feels new. You can even reorder scenes, uncovering fresh clues on subsequent playthroughs. Weekly community challenges add timed objectives, and seasonal events introduce limited-time audio snippets for extra variety.
Hundreds of audio snippets unlock achievements, so there’s always another secret waiting. It surpasses most linear mysteries—and I can’t help but compare it to Return of the Obra Dinn for its branching endings and discovery-driven gameplay. Leaderboards track your best times, fostering friendly competition.
For adventurers, it offers open‐ended discovery and secret threads everywhere. If you like Unheard – Voices of Crime, try Her Story. A true crime interview game built on video clips. It set the standard for audio‐driven puzzles. Telling Lies – A live-action interactive drama with non-linear clips and deep character stories. Heaven’s Vault – An open-world archaeology game that blends audio narration with exploration. Return of the Obra Dinn – A mystery with unique deduction tools, black-and-white visuals, and audio cues. The Complex – A branching sci-fi thriller with lots of audio logs and tight editing mechanics.
