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Death Sketchbook is a short detective game with horror elements, created by Koro Games. The player takes on the role of an investigator who possesses a mysterious notebook that can influence reality through sketches. Set in a quiet, enclosed environment, the game invites players to solve a crime by observing their surroundings and drawing key details into the notebook. The mechanic of sketching becomes more than visual input—it’s the central method for uncovering the truth and progressing through the story.
The gameplay takes place in a first-person perspective, with players slowly moving through a limited area where a crime has occurred. There is no dialogue, combat, or inventory. Instead, players must focus on environmental cues, strange symbols, and unexplained markings. The sketchbook acts as the primary interface—once the player identifies something noteworthy, they must draw it by hand using an in-game tool. If the sketch aligns with the hidden logic of the scene, the case advances, and new information becomes available.
Although compact, Death Sketchbook includes a variety of carefully designed systems:
This structure encourages players to pay attention, take risks, and experiment with different ways of interacting with the world. Sketching serves as a mechanic and as a way to connect with the unfolding mystery.
The visual design of Death Sketchbook is restrained and deliberate. The game uses low-contrast lighting, static rooms, and minimal animation to focus attention on key objects and details. The lack of music during most scenes creates a quiet, tense atmosphere. Drawing is done through a clean interface, with brush and eraser tools designed for fast input. The game’s pacing is slow by design, reinforcing the need to think before acting. A recent update adjusted tool behavior and fixed small glitches related to line detection, improving the flow of the drawing mechanic.