Murder by Numbers (v1.27)

A fired television actress becomes Los Angeles’ least likely detective when a murder places her at the center of the investigation. Set in a colorful, sharply written version of 1996 Hollywood, Murder by Numbers follows Honor Mizrahi after her producer turns up dead immediately following her dismissal from a popular crime series. Her only reliable partner is SCOUT, a discarded reconnaissance robot with a damaged past and an encyclopedic need for answers. The result is a lighthearted but surprisingly character-driven mystery, mixing showbiz satire, workplace rivalries, and genuine whodunits.

Each case revolves around searching crime scenes for evidence, then completing nonogram-style pixel puzzles to reveal the objects and details that matter. These logic grids begin simply but grow into substantial challenges, requiring players to use numbered clues along each row and column to determine which squares belong in the final image. Recovered evidence feeds into interviews, where Honor questions suspects, spots contradictions, and gradually narrows down the truth behind each killing. The campaign moves through several distinct murder cases rather than relying on one location, keeping the investigation fresh while giving the central duo room to develop.

Its biggest strength is the blend of brain-teasing puzzles with an adventure-game detective story that never takes itself too seriously. Honor and SCOUT make an entertaining pair: she is blunt, fashionable, and determined to reclaim control of her life, while he is earnest, literal-minded, and quietly affected by his own history. Bold character art, expressive dialogue, and a retro-leaning soundtrack give every episode the feel of an offbeat television procedural from the era. Fans of Picross, Ace Attorney, and humorous visual mysteries find plenty to enjoy here, while newcomers to nonograms benefit from approachable early puzzles and a story strong enough to carry them through the tougher grids.