Games Like Cracks Where the Light Gets In

About Cracks Where the Light Gets In

Cracks Where the Light Gets In is a deductive-mystery game, in which you poke around the crawlspaces of an alpine shack, peering inside from every angle to find the next clue that will propel your investigation closer towards complete understanding.

A novice detective, with a narrow perspective

You play as an outcast seeking sanctuary, caught up in events that threaten your country. While staying unseen (this is not a stealth game), and peering through gaps (nor is this a voyeurism simulator), you must analyze every object and action for clues that will answer your questions.

A greater emphasis on logical deduction

Acquiring clues is just the start. The real detective work comes from combining parts of those clues together into a logical argument that reveals further revelations. This is represented using nodes on a diagram, where answering one question can lock in nodes that will assist with a different question, allowing you to constantly build on prior conclusions as you progress.

One room, many angles, many times of day

The game focuses on one family, living in a one-room alpine shack. It is therefore densely packed with information, and gives you the ability to look at the same events from multiple angles through gaps in the walls and floorboards, building up a complete picture of their lives from many tiny slivers. Each main Act gives you the ability to switch between times of day, so you are able to watch how events develop and add another dimension to your understanding.

Only <i>you</i> can progress the story!

While you'll grow to appreciate the history of the world and its characters, you are not here to seek answers retrospectively, nor are you detached from the events taking place. Your character will affect the events directly, incorporating the answers you've found.

You'll uncover secrets about the people you're watching that even they didn't know... In turn, you'll come to learn how you fit into the world.

What should you expect?

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Peer through tiny gaps from every available angle.

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The minimalist 3D setting changes with the time of day in many subtle ways, and almost all details have significance. You'll get to know every inch of this room.

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Realistic character animations and well-placed sounds breathe life into each scene, while a diegetic jazzy soundtrack sets the mood.

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Observation is paramount; you can quickly move between perspectives and through different times of day, so there's no barrier when cross-referencing details.

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It isn't strictly necessary to take your own notes, but you might find it helpful!

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Your investigation is open-ended; tackle questions in any order you wish within each act.

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There's no harm in some educated guesswork as a last resort! The game is designed so that in a pinch, you can wiggle your way to success. All conclusions are summarized afterwards and kept for future reference.

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Your hard work is immortalized in an evidence board that ties all the facts together, along with some lovely sketches, building towards the complete story.

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The game has full controller support, so long as you're willing to use the virtual keyboard for personal notes.

What not to expect?

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This isn't a classic adventure game, nor is it an escape room. There are no complex inventory puzzles, no mandatory pixel-hunting and no puzzles just for the sake of it.

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There are no branching paths through the story. While you are able to answer questions in any order within each Act, you must ultimately answer everything to progress.

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No full first-person movement. Movement is restricted to particular points of view, like the early Myst games. Everything you need to see can be seen from these perspectives.

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This isn't quite Obra Dinn. While it was inspired by Obra Dinn and hopes to scratch the same itch, this is about understanding events to answer specific questions, rather than to itemize general information.