Dive into the mystery of Sypniewo
Created by TeamCienie, Cienie is a free-to-play indie title that blends mystery elements with action-packed, visual novel-style storytelling. In it, you step into the shoes of law university dropout Tomasz Tyszko as he explores the Polish town of Sypniewo.
As an intern under Markus Waldner’s private investigation agency, Tyszko has been tasked to get to the bottom of the five disappearances in the town. With striking graphics and an intriguing storyline, Cienie invites you to unravel the mystery and acquaint yourself with the town’s interesting inhabitants. Your choices will define the ending, too, boosting replayability.
Solve the disappearances
With the sudden disappearance of five individuals from the Sypniewo, Tom takes up the mantle to make head or tail of the mystery that has gripped the town. As he navigates through this quest, players will also have a peek into the trials and tribulations of Tom’s personal life, witnessing his struggle with relationships and adult life in general. Not only will he solve the enigma, but he’ll also form bonds with the town’s citizens.
While it prides itself on a mostly linear plot, the game still offers players the chance to change the outcome. There are no strictly defined routes, and there are various forks down the road in the form of choices that can alter the ending accordingly. Plus, as an LGBT+ and furry visual novel, the game explores and represents diverse identities and experiences.
However, players must be prepared for mature and adult themes, including violence and mental issues, making this game unsuitable for minors. What can even deter interested players further is the length of the game — since it’s only the first build, much of the story is yet to be released and there’s not much plot to explore yet. Unexpected crashes also occur from time to time.
Worth a shot
If you’re looking for a visual novel game that’s not a typical dating simulator, then the indie mystery game Cienie will be worth a try. Set in the enigmatic Polish town of Sypniewo, it takes you on a captivating journey through the eyes of lead character Tomasz Tyszko as he seeks to uncover the truth behind a series of disappearances. Despite its adult themes and technical issues, it’s still a compelling pick.
