The Rottumereye Tragedy is a murder mystery experience from the Knetterijs art collective. In it, you must piece together the truth about a dead birdwatcher found on an uninhabited island. You’ve been sent all of the materials required to solve the case, but will you discover what really happened?
Players: 1+ // Age: 10+ // Playtime: 1 hour+
Requirements: A pen and paper for notes (optional).
Synopsis
“The fourth edition of our Knetterijs zine is also the first in a series of projects made possible by the Dutch creative industries fund. ‘The Rottumereye Tragedy’ is a murder mystery made up of several booklets, prints, leporello’s and a poster. All clues to a horrific murder that took place on the uninhabited island of Rottumeroog in the Dutch Wadden Sea.“
First impressions
The Rottumereye Tragedy was created by the Knetterijs art collective, a group of artists who each contributed artwork to the project. Given the quality of its work, the collective secured partial funding through Creative Industries Fund NL. A limited print run of 500 copies makes the game quite exclusive.
I discovered this game through an interview I conducted with Alex Rosenthal last year. He mentioned that Rita Orlov, founder of PostCurious and his collaborator on puzzle game Pandora’s Legacy, had recommended artist Senne Trip. Rita had been impressed by Senne’s contribution to The Rottumereye Tragedy and felt that the art style would be perfect for their new project. Senne went on to work with Rita and Alex, and as a big fan of her artwork in Pandora’s Legacy, I had to check out her previous work.
Gameplay
Overview
A huge plus for this experience is that it’s totally analogue. It would have been possible to include additional online content, but I’m glad the team opted to keep it all offline. As such, you can play it anywhere without being dependent on an internet connection. Everything you require for the experience is included in the pack.
There are no traditional ciphers or riddles to solve here; it is a purely deductive mystery, which itself is relatively simple. I found that the story unravelled itself through reading and examining the documents and evidence included in the set. It didn’t require much actual detective work to piece it all together, but I did enjoy interacting with all of the wonderful ephemera. Once you are sure that you have identified the murderer, you can find the case solution in a sealed envelope.
Nothing needs to be written on or destroyed during gameplay, so it’s possible to sell the game or pass it on to a friend once you’ve finished it.
Presentation
The artwork is absolutely front and centre here, and the overall quality of everything included is exceptional. A brown folder houses the evidence and documents, and features the striking cover art on the front. The team makes great use of every inch of each item. For example, the folder also features a newspaper article printed on the back and an autopsy report and images of evidence on the inside. Other items included in the pack are witness reports, a local map, postcards and a newsletter. Each is designed by a different member of the collective and offers a different stylistic flavour. It is a testament to the team that, despite artwork being contributed by multiple artists, they have managed to craft such a cohesive visual experience.
One of my favourite components is a set of beautifully illustrated character cards that help bring the cast to life. I used these to keep track of who was who throughout the experience, turning cards face down as I eliminated suspects. I also love the comic book-style interrogation report, which is in the form of an A5 booklet.
Hints & Difficulty
There is no hint system for this game. It is a straightforward mystery that unfolds naturally as you read through the evidence. You won’t have to do too much digging to discover what went down, so I would definitely label this as an ‘easy’ game. This didn’t detract from the enjoyment too much for me, but if you are just looking for challenging gameplay, then this game may not be for you.
Verdict
The Rottumereye Tragedy
Summary
The Rottumereye Tragedy is a gorgeous experience, crafted by a talented collective of artists and storytellers. Its unique subject matter makes it stand out from a sea of ‘samey’ murder mysteries, along with its beautiful and distinctive artwork.
Value for money is really subjective, so it may be deemed too expensive for some, given the limited gameplay. I personally feel that the exquisite artwork and quality of components go a long way towards justifying the cost, along with the fact that it is a very limited print run.
I personally loved it, but I do acknowledge that this won’t be for everyone. Some may be disappointed by the short play time, others by the lack of deep and challenging deductive gameplay. If you value wonderful artwork and a mystery that mostly unfolds by itself, then this is for you.
Disclaimer: Knetterijs kindly sent me a copy of this game in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences the content of my review, which accurately depicts my experience.
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