The Invisible Hours
The Invisible Hours is a complex murder mystery in which players freely explore an intricate web of interwoven stories within a sprawling mansion. A group of strangers receive a curious invitation from the enigmatic inventor, Nikola Tesla, offering each of them the chance to make amends for their darkest wrongdoings. When the last guest arrives at Tesla’s isolated mansion laboratory, they find him dead – murdered. Disgraced Swedish detective, Gustaf Gustav, vows to find the killer amongst the other guests: a blind butler, a convicted murderer, the world’s most famous actress, Tesla’s former assistant, the son of a wealthy railroad magnate, and rival inventor Thomas Edison. But none of these people are what they seem. The player is invisible, with freedom to follow and observe anyone in the story – or to explore the mansion for hidden clues.
Game Discussion
Steam User 1
This was one of the coolest ways to experience a story, in my opinion. There wasn't really much gameplay, however being able to walk around the set, follow any character that interested you, and piece together what is happening in your own time is an incredible experience. I can't think of any other game that has done this and that is a real loss to us all, as it is just a wonderful way to see a story play out.
It's watching a movie, but you have control of the camera and can examine anything you want, whenever you want.
Steam User 1
A genuinely unique visual novel-like experience where you can follow the story by following different characters around. You get to the end of one story and think you 'understand' what is going on only to follow someone else later and realize you had it all wrong. Only by following each character can you finally piece the whole story together. Great use of VR.
Steam User 0
Far more passive than most games, this interactive experience is more designed to immerse than to interacted which is a surprisingly novel idea.
Steam User 0
A really fun whodunit style mystery with a similar gameplay mechanic to The Sexy Brutale, where multiple scene play out simultaneously while you move around and manipulate time in order to piece everything together.
Steam User 0
What a fun way to experience a story! I really enjoyed learning bits and pieces of the story depending on which character I was following. The story was really well written and the characters are very fleshed out. The game was originally made for the VR and it definitely shows. The controls can be a little wonky at times because of this. The intrigue of a good mystery made overlooking the wonky controls pretty easy though. Right when I thought I had the mystery solved, The Invisible Hours threw me for a loop.
Steam User 0
Note, I originally played on Oculus Rift so disregard the playtime shown here.
I'm currently replaying this marvel on my Steam Deck (and plan to again on my HP Reverb in VR). Re-living this totally original, experience is a real treat. The Invisible Hours is one of my favourite 'games' of all time due to its exceptional immersion. I think they need to discount it quite heavily now but I want more of this kind of experience. Tequila Works is definitely one of my favourite studios. Highly recommended (when its on sale).
Steam User 0
I enjoyed this game way more that I thought I would. At first when I read that it's just a "story" that you observe I was dubious, but it is so much fun to be able to walk about the place, uncover new details to the story with each characters you follow, and really unique. And the story ended up being a lot more intriguing, especially if like love sci-fi. Basically it's like watching a really good movie, but instead of having a fixed camera, you are the camera, and you can go where you want. Definitely try it out.