I forgot to post yesterday, but we released our episode on the 2023 Murder on the Orient Express game. After being somewhat down on the previous Poirot games, Andrew and John have more fun with this one. Episode should be up on Youtube, Apple, and RSS as well!

open.spotify.com/episode/6o3q...

Here's the January edition of Thinky Third Thursday, the monthly roundup of thinky puzzle games that have caught our eye:
thinkythirdthursday.com/january-2026
This time we're covering our favourite games from 2025!

Steam’s Detective Fest is this week and there’s a bunch of great games on sale right now!

thinkygames.com/user...
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I was lucky to be chosen for last year's cohort and I can safely say that my game wouldn't have been half as good without their support and mentorship. Huge congrats to the new cohort! Super excited for all these wonderful games!

We're delighted to announce the winners of the 2026 New Voices Puzzle Grant!

grants.draknek.org

Here is a thread of Demos for upcoming games that do something I am excited about. In each one I will highlight the part of the game I am anticipating most. In reverse alphabetical order:

Detective Fest on Steam is here, and options are plentiful. Instead of just a big list, I want to try “If you played this, have you looked at these?” for many notable detective games and some of my favs. Each top level game will have a demo you can try out now, and all are released on Steam

This means so much coming from Kini! City of Voices is probably my most anticipated detective game!

Did you know Steam is doing a #DetectiveFest !?

I have have 3 demos ready to go. Will we get to all 3? That's party of the mystery!

Duppy Detective Tashia - @spritewrench.com
The Detective's Apprentice - @darqwerful.bsky.social
My Father Lied - @lunargamesuruk.bsky.social

Twitch.tv/FaunAndGames

WE'RE HYPE! Check out the demo for Duppy Detective Tashia, and wishlist it on Steam! 🙌🏾

Confidential Killings, the detective game I've been working on with @branegames.bsky.social, has just been released! 🔍

A series of murders in the glitzy world of show business, all connected to reveal a bigger mystery... 🕵️

Steam link: store.steampowered.com/app/2797960/...

The Steam #DetectiveFest is now underway! If you haven't played the demo of our Golden Idol-like, City of Voices, yet, now's the perfect time!

Steam page: store.steampowered.com/app/3382430/...

So happy to see The Detective's Apprentice be included among these great games!

As part of the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant I mentored this developer on The Detective's Apprentice last year, and I'm incredibly proud and excited for this game 🤩💖

It scratches a real puzzle itch with complex but incredibly satisfying cases. It's something special and one to watch, for sure.

The Detective's Apprentice demo is out now! Sharpen your deduction skills and uncover Cleo's beginnings, as she solves her first three cases.

Play it now on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/4159750/...

2026 has the potential to be an even better year for detective games than last year, which had at least 46 releases! I made a thread here for upcoming games I am aware of. If I have played the Demo or Playtested it, I will describe the games a bit, as well as when they state their release dates.

Step into the shoes of Cleo, an apprentice to her aunt, the world renowned detective, Maya Lynch. From impossible heists to baffling murder cases, use your deduction skills to solve mysteries!

Wishlist now on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/3618570/...