Beckett is a surreal noir adventure game about chasing a missing person. Players enter the disturbing world of an investigator who is hired to find a young man who is suffering from mental illness. Themes of identity and memory loss are explored through this vivid experience.
The developers at The Secret Experiment have issued a warning that their game is not suitable for everyone. Beckett is an authored experience that borrows its extremities from video games, while deriving most inspiration from arthouse cinema and literature. The statement that the game emulates is experimental and dark, as players must guide their protagonist through myriad disturbing events. The imagery in Beckett ranges from deranged, to stress-inducing, to beautiful, as the truths of the investigation begin to unravel. The developers urge players to approach Beckett with an open mind, and to not approach the narrative with expectations of saccharine or blockbuster storytelling.
Beckett, the investigator that players follow, has found himself caught in a web of confusion as he conflates his past with the life he currently lives. Between mourning the loss of his former love and the developments within the twisted missing persons case, Beckett falls down a rabbit hole that propels him to the outskirts of reality. Through taking initiative and participating in deep exploration, players enter a world unlike one they’ve previously experience. The gameplay consists of communicating with others, be it listening, talking, or defying what is being heard. Through these interactions, players must navigate throughout the world in hopes of unraveling the truth. The world is ruthless, unkind, and will attempt to manipulate or potentially offend the player, so keen attentiveness is needed to progress.
Beckett is currently available on Steam for $8.49 with a special promotion that ends on March 6.