After four years in development, Casebook 1899 – The Leipzig Murders, the debut title from solo developer Gregor Müller and Leipzig-based Homo Narrans Studio, is set to release on September 4, 2025, for PC via Steam. Inspired by classic point-and-click adventures and grounded in meticulous historical research, the game invites players to step into the role of Detective Joseph Kreiser as he investigates a string of murders in turn-of-the-century Germany.
Originally revealed during its showcase at events like AdventureX, Indie Game Fest Cologne, and CAGGTUS, Casebook 1899 has garnered attention within the adventure game community. It even took home second place in the newcomer category at the Games Innovation Award Saxony—a major recognition for indie developers in the region.
Murder, Mystery, and Meticulous Pixel Art
Set in 1899 Leipzig, Germany—a booming industrial city on the cusp of change—Casebook 1899 aims to deliver a gripping detective experience across four standalone murder cases. As Detective Kreiser, players will:
- Examine clues, interrogate suspects, and navigate richly detailed pixel environments.
- Track leads using a dynamic notebook and deduction board system.
- Explore handcrafted scenes inspired by real-world historical references and landmarks.
- Make meaningful decisions, with each case’s outcome determined by the player’s chosen culprit.
The game’s art direction leans heavily on hand-pixelated environments and traditional adventure game stylings, with a retro aesthetic that pays homage to classics of the genre while modernizing its deduction mechanics.
“Your choice of culprit in each case directly affects the outcome,” the developer notes. “This isn’t just about finding clues—it’s about making sound, reasoned judgments based on what you’ve learned.”
Point-and-Click Meets Period Crime Drama
Where most detective games lean into noir or contemporary settings, Casebook 1899 is carving out a unique niche by grounding itself in a lesser-explored slice of European history. By immersing players in Leipzig at the end of the 19th century, the game not only offers a tense investigative experience but also a snapshot of a society in transition—one where industrial growth and social change clash in the shadow of brutal crimes.
Fans eager to stay up to date can follow the developer on Bluesky or sign up for the official newsletter via the game’s website.
Casebook 1899 – The Leipzig Murders releases September 4, 2025, on Steam.
