If You Loved Duskwood — My Recommendation List
Finished Duskwood recently and went through the usual withdrawal. Tried a bunch of games trying to find something close. Here's what actually delivered:
- Moonvale (the official Duskwood sequel) — Same studio, same universe, includes a side story for Duskwood finishers. Mixed reception on the gem-based monetization but the writing is still solid.
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/moonvale-murder-mystery-game/id6472291033
Android: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=moonvale&c=apps
2. SIMULACRA — The OG 'found phone' horror game. You're going through a stranger's phone trying to figure out what happened to her. Won Best Mobile Game at Indie Prize 2018. Premium, no gems.
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simulacra/id1252035454
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kaigan.simulacra
3. An Elmwood Trail — Made by three students with no prior gamedev experience. Free, no premium pack drama. Genuinely impressive for a debut project.
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/an-elmwood-trail/id1627128639
Android: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=elmwood+trail&c=apps
- ECHOES — Interactive Thriller — Set in India. The hook is voice cloning: you record 30 seconds of your voice, the main character speaks in YOUR voice for the rest of the game. Hearing yourself say 'Who is this?' in a murder mystery is genuinely unsettling. Episode 2 drops May 15.
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/echoes-interactive-thriller/id6760790952
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.echoes.game
- SIMULACRA 2 — The sequel improved on the first in basically every way. You're investigating an influencer's death by going through her phone. More polished, longer, better acting.
- Lifeline (the OG) — Not phone-mystery but the original texting-adventure that started this whole genre. You're helping a stranded astronaut survive via text. Real-time pacing.
What did I miss? Always looking for more.