The history of gay mysteries in video gay games is rich and varied. From leather-clad enemies who attack you for humping and licking to the mystery gay game EarthBound that heavily implies homosexuality, some games have used LGBTQ+ characters to push boundaries. Other gay detective games use them to subvert stereotypes and empower players. From dating sims to thought-provoking titles that delve into the complexities of love, these mystery gay suspense games will captivate you until the final curtain falls.
Murder by Numbers is a slick, murder mystery gay visual novel that combines a brisk pacing and a surprisingly creepy atmosphere with a variety of quirky and offbeat characters. Its headstrong protagonist Honor is a compelling character to follow, and her dry sense of humor pairs perfectly with her adorably oblivious robot sidekick SCOUT.
The interactive gay mystery game's setting is also a standout feature, with the colorful and "atrocious" 90s fashions serving as an eye-catching backdrop to the murder cases that players need to solve. Its diverse cast also features plenty of LGBTQ+ representation, with Honor being a woman of color and SCOUT using gender-neutral pronouns after adopting a masculine form.
Though Fear didn't set out to make the gay mystery game an explicitly queer experience, the inclusion of characters like gay stylist K.C and the case that takes place at a drag bar ensures that it is. He's even been surprised by the positive reception from straight gamers who have enjoyed the mysterious gay game's subtle education on drag culture and LGBT language.
This point-and-click adventure set in futuristic Neo-San Francisco is an absolute delight to explore. The pixel art is crisp and colorful, with the characters brought to life by fantastic voice acting. You'll find yourself navigating the halls of the secretive Minerva agency and diving deep into people's memories. The mystery gay gameplay is simple - all you need to do is click on items or people for more info and dialogue options.
Developer MidBoss does an incredible job creating a unique world in 2064. The mystery gay game touches on a lot of issues like corporate overreach, privacy and personal freedom. It also delves into the themes of memory and identity. Its LGBTQ characters are well written and fully realized. Bearded women, agender robots and those who choose not to identify with a gender all exist in this future world.
2064: Read Only Memories INTEGRAL is an entertaining experience that delivers a fast-paced mystery story. Its inclusion of queer character traits is a welcome addition to the genre. Lamplight City is a well-lit point-and-click gay mystery adventure game with a heartwarming story. It features a story that delves into finding justice for those who've been wronged, as well as challenging tropes commonly used in mystery games with gays.
In typical point-and-click fashion, players take on the role of private investigator Miles Fordham. He travels across a map of New Bretagne and visits sites that are relevant to each case, talking to people in order to learn more. Clues and intel are automatically stored away in a handy casebook that can be reviewed at any time.
While the gay mystery game does feature a few puzzles, the real draw is the world it creates for Miles to investigate in. The setting of a steampunk Victorian universe is richly detailed, with many aspects having a direct impact on the gay-themed mystery game's plot. For example, if Miles offends a person, they may refuse to talk to him in the future. These small choices make the world of Lamplight City feel more alive than other pixel-hunting adventures.
Known to many as simply Phantasmagoria 2 (despite it being an in name only sequel), this 1996 FMV horror gay game features more sex, violence and murder than its predecessor. It follows office worker Curtis Craig who is plagued by hallucinations and witnesses his co-workers being killed in gruesome ways.
While the first Phantasmagoria was based on an ornate mansion, this one is set in a much more mundane environment. However, it's still a fairly interesting and psychologically deep story.
A big problem with this gay mystery game is the clunky and frustrating gameplay. Moving around and clicking to trigger events and discussions isn't always easy and the lack of a hint system makes it even more of a pain. Also, the final puzzle is downright obnoxious and relies on quick-time events, which are notoriously unforgiving and can cause many deaths and restarts. Content warnings for violence, gore and sex. Mystery games with gay characters Also include scenes featuring a character being burned alive.