This Fall 2025, developer IM/MORTAL Studios and director Pierce Papke (Ekap) invite players into Darkway: Murder of King Mere. It is a painterly-pixel noir mystery that will be available on PC via Steam. Inspired by narrative adventures like Disco Elysium, the game places players in the role of the Master Detective’s Apprentice, arriving at a crime scene already four days cold and heavy with suspicion.
King Mere, ruler of the Dog Empyre and once a symbol of peace, has been found dead in the snow. His brother August now faces trial for regicide, but whispers of conspiracy suggest there is more lurking beneath the surface. In the City of Ink, where diplomacy has crumbled with its king, the Apprentice must cut through deception. And ultimately piece together a fragile truth.
Players will navigate branching dialogue, gathering allies or enemies depending on their choices. Over twenty fully voiced characters bring the city’s rivalries, secrets, and schemes to life, offering paths that twist with every decision. Movement plays a role too, with fluid parkour letting players scale walls, dash across rooftops, and slip into hidden alleys in search of evidence.
The game’s hand-crafted painterly-pixel art style sets the stage for a world caught between beauty and decay. It is a place where the past bleeds into the present. As the investigation unfolds, the ending will hinge on the Apprentice’s choices. You will get to expose the conspiracy, deliver justice, or become another casualty in a kingdom tearing itself apart.
With its blend of narrative depth, atmospheric visuals, and noir intrigue, Darkway: Murder of King Mere is shaping into a mystery where every step toward the truth carries a price.
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