Game Review – The Mermaid Mask

Who would have guessed that my need for a spooky atmospheric mystery game in mid-July would have brought me one of my favorite games of the year? I know what you are thinking – that is pretty bold of me to say. But SFB Games’ The Mermaid Mask was worth every minute of my playthrough.

I happened to stumble upon the game when it popped up in my Steam rotation. The art style caught my eye first and is one of my favorite things about it. Then, the idea of a mysterious murder investigation on a submarine with little hints to something otherworldly just had me hooked.

I have not had the pleasure of playing other SFB Games, but I swear that changes today. The Mermaid Mask follows Detective Grimoire and his partner Sally as they investigate the death of Magnus Mortuga aboard his mysterious submarine. And no spoilers here – but the ending will have you on the edge of your seat.

Like all good detective games, the story and characters are what make this shine. There wasn’t a single character I didn’t want to know more about. They were quirky and mysterious, and the way their stories intermingled gave so much depth to them, helping them feel more alive.

I really enjoyed how the clues within The Mermaid Mask continued to build on the different storylines. Something that really stood out to me as I played was how well the team kept reintroducing all the different clues. I kept finding myself linking back to different things, and it made everything feel more cohesive.

Investigating each room, uncovering and examining clues, and talking with the crew all follow a pretty standard point-and-click style gameplay. Its simplicity allowed me to focus more on the story itself and piece together the clues as I went. The puzzles themselves helped break up the cycle and keep things fresh.

My playthrough of The Mermaid Mask was only made better by the incredible art design, animation, and atmosphere. The way the team was able to nail down facial expressions and the voice dialogue elevated the overall playthrough. Tie that in with the unique characters, rooms, and clues, and you have the keys to success.

Overall, I enjoyed every moment of my playthrough of The Mermaid Mask. It’s mysteriously charming, cozy, and addictive. I spent my working days counting down the minutes until I got back to the submarine. I can’t wait to dive back in to uncover all the little clues hidden within the game and check out SFB Games’ catalogue.