[Play Report] "Illness Detective," with a demo currently available, features cognitive abnormalities that generate "false testimony"—a mind-bending mystery adventure that may leave players feeling unwell
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/910/G091052/20251009038/
Writer: Takahashi Yusuke | 2025/10/10 02:55 (UTC)
The demo of the detective adventure game “[Patho Detective]” is now available on Steam. Originally showcased as a playable title at Tokyo Game Show 2025, this game centers around a werewolf-style death game involving individuals with cognitive abnormalities.
Developed by PHOSEPO, a Taiwan-based studio known for releasing Japanese-style mystery visual novels such as “Rail of Möbius: The Crimson Cage,” which has earned “very positive” reviews on Steam.
This title challenges players to decipher truths that are fundamentally distorted—where what you see cannot be trusted and testimonies do not hold up as they appear. With an estimated playtime of 4–5 hours, the demo offers substantial content. Here’s our impression of it.
The game is set in a death game called “Selection,” hosted by the powerful religious organization “Rikyo.” The 13 participants are all **“Patho-affected individuals”—**each possessing unique cognitive abnormalities, and each capable of spreading their condition to others. Players join this bizarre contest where murder goes unpunished if undetected—granting victory and godhood—and seek the truth behind these events.
Image Gallery No.002 thumbnail / [Play Report] “Patho Detective” — Demo Now Available — A Puzzle Game Where Cognitive Abnormalities Create False Testimony, Driving Players to Madness Image Gallery No.003 thumbnail / [Play Report] “Patho Detective” — Demo Now Available — A Puzzle Game Where Cognitive Abnormalities Create False Testimony, Driving Players to Madness
The cognitive abnormalities of the “Patho-affected” characters include:
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder — unable to lie
- Left Neglect — cannot perceive the left side of the world
- Prosopagnosia — inability to recognize faces
These cognitive distortions affect not just the afflicted individuals but also anyone present, warping both the crime scene and testimonies. Players must unravel “which abnormality distorted what aspect of reality,” rather than simply determining “who saw what.” Only through this process can truth be uncovered.
While there are moments of logical satisfaction—“Ah, I see!”—the deeper emotional resonance comes from a more poignant realization: “So that’s how your world looked… so deeply warped.”
Overall, the tone feels light and accessible, much like comics or anime. Image Gallery No.005 thumbnail / [Play Report] “Patho Detective” — Demo Now Available — A Puzzle Game Where Cognitive Abnormalities Create False Testimony, Driving Players to Madness
The protagonist, Ryle, possesses a rare condition called “synesthesia,” where senses interconnect—sound triggers color perception, sight evokes taste, and taste produces sound. Though overwhelmed by sensory floods, he barely maintains his daily life through mental suppression.
When Ryle’s condition manifests as a “Patho” ability, it allows him to project his distorted reality onto others—this phenomenon is known as “World Creation.”
This becomes the key to resolving events—but in this game, things are far from simple. Even Ryle himself struggles to distinguish between the world he created and objective truth.
For Ryle, the only reliable truth lies in his sister Lena—whose condition is “inability to lie.” He desperately prays that she truly exists and isn’t merely a figment of his own distorted world.
The demo includes the first chapter (tutorial) and part of Chapter 2. Players can choose between “Story Mode,” allowing for relaxed, thoughtful play; or “Deduction Mode,” which adds time limits and game over risks typical of death games—ideal for those seeking adrenaline.
Ryle’s “Selection” features rules reminiscent of a werewolf game, with roles like “Villager,” “Wolf,” and “Hero.” However, in this demo, role-specific actions are absent—making the gameplay more akin to reading through a narrative adventure.
Clue collection uses familiar mechanics: pressing [TAB] highlights interactive areas, while [W/A/S/D] keys move the cursor for investigation. This system will feel comfortable to fans of detective games. Once clues are gathered, players enter “Lip Gun Tongue Blade,” a debate-style deduction segment where they dismantle opponents’ claims.
Image Gallery No.011 thumbnail / [Play Report] “Patho Detective” — Demo Now Available — A Puzzle Game Where Cognitive Abnormalities Create False Testimony, Driving Players to Madness Image Gallery No.012 thumbnail / [Play Report] “Patho Detective” — Demo Now Available — A Puzzle Game Where Cognitive Abnormalities Create False Testimony, Driving Players to Madness
Players must listen closely to dialogue, identify contradictions, select evidence, and challenge claims with “Objection!” Missteps reduce mental endurance; reaching zero triggers game over. However, auto-save prevents much frustration (at least in the demo).
This design elevates tension beyond simple “spot the mistake” puzzles. Crucially, contradictions and misleading evidence may stem not from lies or red herrings—but from cognitive distortions themselves. Without spoilers, players must go further than exposing inconsistencies: they must reconstruct events by asking “Why did this contradiction arise?”
Inside a furnace-like chamber: ash containing only half a body. Why? Image Gallery No.013 thumbnail / [Play Report] “Patho Detective” — Demo Now Available — A Puzzle Game Where Cognitive Abnormalities Create False Testimony, Driving Players to Madness
While traditional mysteries chase factual consistency, “Patho Detective” pursues cognitive consistency—the collective perception of those present. Yet participants in this death game rarely reveal their conditions—some may even feign disclosure to deceive.
As logic unfolds, assumptions may suddenly flip—a sensation akin to a “sickly intellectual puzzle.”
Participants’ cognitive abnormalities can be checked via an on-screen panel Image Gallery No.014 thumbnail / [Play Report] “Patho Detective” — Demo Now Available — A Puzzle Game Where Cognitive Abnormalities Create False Testimony, Driving Players to Madness
Due to the demo’s nature, some minor rough edges exist. For instance, clue locations can be unclear visually—though [TAB] highlights them clearly, so gameplay is unaffected. Still, players may prefer discovering clues independently.
Localization feels natural overall—but includes expressions unfamiliar to many Japanese players: calling a young unrelated man “older brother,” and an older middle-aged man “Uncle.” Note that “Uncle” refers to a senior male younger than one’s father—somewhat akin to the internet slang “oji.”
The phrase “You’re wrong!” during objections stands out quite visibly—but this may be endearing in a demo. Hopefully, such quirks will improve in the final release.
Even in the demo, hints of future developments emerge: the founder of “Rikyo” can create Patho-affected individuals; and the sect controls a revolutionary energy source called “Sea Angel.”
Interestingly, “Sea Angel” refers to Clio, and the android “Successor Saint”—who hosts the death game—also features Clio as its motif. There may be deeper meaning here.
The presentation is impressive—animated cutscenes appear at key moments. Werewolves are executed in ways reflecting their specific cognitive impairments, and the resulting visuals are quite shocking.
Additionally, the comic-style system for tracking criminal sequences feels fresh to newcomers but familiar to veterans. These stylistic choices suggest homages to other influential series.
Image Gallery No.018 thumbnail / [Play Report] “Patho Detective” — Demo Now Available — A Puzzle Game Where Cognitive Abnormalities Create False Testimony, Driving Players to Madness Image Gallery No.019 thumbnail / [Play Report] “Patho Detective” — Demo Now Available — A Puzzle Game Where Cognitive Abnormalities Create False Testimony, Driving Players to Madness
During demo play, a strong sense emerged: “It seems logical on the surface, yet something just doesn’t sit right.” This isn’t due to plot holes but hints at deeper mysteries surrounding how all characters perceive reality. In this game, following logic alone may lead into traps. The core lies in questioning not only others’ reasoning—but your own perception and logic.
If my interpretation isn’t mistaken, this game may stand out from typical death games or power battle stories by evolving into a uniquely crafted mystery drama—best savored until the full release.
While the official release is still scheduled for 2026, as mentioned earlier, the demo is already available on Steam. If intrigued, readers are encouraged to experience it firsthand.
Image Gallery No.022 thumbnail / [Play Report] “Patho Detective” — Demo Now Available — A Puzzle Game Where Cognitive Abnormalities Create False Testimony, Driving Players to Madness Image Gallery No.023 thumbnail / [Play Report] “Patho Detective” — Demo Now Available — A Puzzle Game Where Cognitive Abnormalities Create False Testimony, Driving Players to Madness Image Gallery No.024 thumbnail / [Play Report] “Patho Detective” — Demo Now Available — A Puzzle Game Where Cognitive Abnormalities Create False Testimony, Driving Players to Madness