Psycho-Sleuth, a psychological mystery visual novel developed by PHOSEPO and published by Thermite Games and Smilegate STOVE, has launched on PC, introducing players to a gothic murder mystery where cognitive disorders distort reality and complicate criminal investigations. The game combines evidence gathering, character interrogation, and high-stakes debates as players attempt to uncover a killer before they achieve godhood.
Released on November 7, 2026, the game is available through Steam, STOVE, and the Epic Games Store, with a launch discount offered for a limited time.
Psycho-Sleuth Introduces a Deadly Trial Inside a Gothic Cathedral
Set within a mysterious gothic cathedral, Psycho-Sleuth follows thirteen individuals known as the “Afflicted Ones,” who have been imprisoned by a secretive cult called Li.
The participants are forced into a deadly competition governed by an unusual rule: anyone who successfully murders another participant without being identified will ascend to godhood.
Players must investigate suspicious deaths, collect evidence, and question fellow captives to identify the individuals responsible for each crime.
However, solving these murders requires more than conventional detective work. Every participant possesses a cognitive condition that changes how reality is perceived, making seemingly straightforward investigations increasingly complicated.
The central challenge involves separating reliable evidence from distorted perceptions while uncovering the larger mystery surrounding the cult and its deadly experiment.
Cognitive Disorders Transform Crime Scene Investigations
One of the game’s defining mechanics involves cognitive disorders that alter how characters experience and interpret their surroundings.
These conditions are presented as contagious, reality-changing abilities within the game’s fictional setting, creating investigative challenges that require players to reconsider what they see and hear.
Unique Cognitive Abilities Affect Evidence and Testimony
Several cognitive conditions play important roles in the investigation mechanics.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) introduces scenarios in which certain characters become incapable of lying, allowing players to identify contradictions and inconsistencies in testimony.
Spatial neglect creates situations where half of a crime scene becomes obscured, requiring investigators to reconstruct missing information and identify evidence that may not be immediately visible.
Prosopagnosia, commonly associated with difficulties recognizing faces, further complicates investigations by concealing the identities of witnesses, victims, and potential killers.
These mechanics encourage players to examine evidence from multiple perspectives rather than relying exclusively on visual observations.
By incorporating these fictionalized cognitive effects into its mystery-solving systems, Psycho-Sleuth aims to offer a different approach to traditional detective visual novels.
Debate Mode Adds High-Stakes Confrontations
Beyond exploring crime scenes and interviewing suspects, players must defend their conclusions through a dedicated Debate Mode.
The system challenges players to evaluate competing arguments, identify contradictions, and present appropriate evidence during confrontations.
Successful investigations depend on understanding how each character’s cognitive condition influences their statements and perceptions.
Players must respond to opposing claims and make decisions under pressure, with the consequences potentially determining whether a murderer is exposed or escapes punishment.
Voice Acting, Live2D Animation and Original Music
Psycho-Sleuth also emphasizes cinematic storytelling through its audiovisual presentation.
The game features full voice acting, hand-drawn Live2D character animations, more than 40 CG illustrations, and 50 original musical compositions designed to support its unsettling atmosphere.
These elements contribute to the game’s gothic setting while bringing its characters and dramatic confrontations to life.
“How does one solve crimes befuddled by cognition? In Psycho-Sleuth, we challenge players to make use of Disease Abilities to solve murderous cases in our distinct spin on the mystery visual-novel genre,” says Xiaolu, Producer, PHOSEPO. “With today’s launch, we summon everyone to step into a reality shrouded in mystery to solve the unimaginable murder!”
Psycho-Sleuth PC Price, Deluxe Edition and Launch Discounts
The standard edition of Psycho-Sleuth is priced at $19.99 in the United States, with a 10% launch discount available for two weeks following release.
Players can also purchase the Deluxe Edition for $35.99, which includes the base game, official soundtrack, and digital artbook. The Deluxe Edition carries a 15% discount during the same two-week promotional period.
Additional downloadable content is available separately, including the official soundtrack for $6.99 and the artbook for $8.99. Both receive a 10% launch discount for two weeks.
Supported Languages and PC Availability
The game supports five languages: English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
PC players can purchase Psycho-Sleuth through Steam, STOVE, and the Epic Games Store.
Further details are available on the game’s Steam store page, while developer PHOSEPO shares updates through its official X account, @PHOSEPO_INC.
A Psychological Mystery Built Around Unreliable Reality
With its combination of murder investigations, reality-altering cognitive mechanics, and evidence-based debates, Psycho-Sleuth offers a distinctive take on the psychological mystery genre.
The game’s central premise challenges players to question their perceptions, understand the conditions affecting each suspect, and uncover the truth before another participant completes the deadly trial and claims godhood.
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