Today, our search for tomes to read and worlds to explore takes us on a journey through mystery and murder with our review of La Casa degli Automi (“The House of Automatons”). A gamebook by Aristea (thank you for sending us a copy) that opens the door to a new category in their catalog: Who Did It?
Dark, enigmatic crimes where you’re the one investigating! Play as a detective and solve the mystery.
We’ll find ourselves investigating a mysterious murder in which, unfortunately, we’re the prime suspects. A journey through the lies and truths of a group of friends.
The gamebook is available on the Aristea website for €19. Don’t forget to enter the code NDU5 for a 5% discount!
A Look at the Plot of La Casa degli Automi
The first memory I have of that night is a sharp knock on the door
Called by a constant knocking, we’re dragged from bed. It’s the dead of night, and the shroud of exhaustion weighs heavily on us. What happened in the past few hours? It’s hard to say. We don’t remember anything, a temporary amnesia that has been affecting us with annoying frequency lately. One dead, six possible suspects, and then we, the prime suspect.
La Casa degli Automi is a 225-paragraph gamebook in which we’ll have to navigate our friends’ confessions. We’ll have a clue sheet available, where we’ll tick off our findings as we progress through the investigation.
Aesthetics Review of La Casa degli Automi
A compelling plot, expertly written by Michele Buonanno (author of 49 Chiavi), is complemented by top-notch graphic design. Fabio Porfidia and Alessandro Pedarra have outdone themselves in creating a product that lives up to our expectations. Presented in an elegant box set, The House of Automatons includes the gamebook, the clue sheet, our notebook, and a mysterious sealed note that must be opened only when prompted by the text.
Review of the Mechanics of La Casa degli Automi
Not many believe in our innocence, and the landlord will go to town at dawn to call the police. Time will be our greatest enemy.
The gamebook unfolds in three parts. The first involves interrogating the other guests. Then the second part allows us to explore the mansion. The final part brings us face-to-face with the other suspects again.
To continue our investigation, we’ll have the clue sheet at our disposal. The game has 72 clues, which obviously (given the time constraints) we won’t be able to find in a single playthrough. As we progress through our investigation, we’ll uncover clues that will then allow us to corner the other suspects. A simple mechanic that, thanks to the clue book, allows us to always have the situation under control.
Final Considerations
The only detail that made me turn up my nose a little was the idea that the main suspect was leading the investigation, left completely alone and free to roam around by the other guests in the house.
La Casa degli Automi is undoubtedly a top-notch product, combining a gripping investigation with a macabre story that unfolds as clues unravel. The darkness lurking in the depths of this house will leave you speechless.
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