From indie developer Peter Moorhead (Stranded) and publisher Curve Digital comes an experience heavy in environmental storytelling and cinematic flair. In its 30 to 40-minute playtime, Murder will take players on a journey through a Tokyo of the near future as they follow Police Lieutenant Motomeru Minori on an unusual and dangerous case. The story explores the intersection of morality and sentience in a world where both have become commodities.

Murder is inspired by the works of Masamune Shirow, Katsuhiro Otomo, Neal Stephenson and other cyberpunk greats. It will offer a fresh take on a familiar setting.

Peter Moorehead: My design philosophy is always to consider my story and message first and foremost, and as with Stranded, I tried to deconstruct the form and reassemble it in a way that felt appropriate for what I wanted to say. Almost every action has a secondary, sort of proceduralist message, however subtle, and the sum total of these is an experience that rewards thoughtful, attentive play.

Murder features rich and varied characters with full voice acting. It’s done in an experimental point-and-click style, somewhere between the classic form and a more minimal, streamlined style. It can be played with keyboard, mouse, controller or touchscreen.

The game will launch for PC/Windows on Steam tomorrow, October 21st. iPad and Android versions will follow.