Marissa Marcel was a film star. She made three movies. But none of the movies were ever released. And Marissa Marcel disappeared. An interactive trilogy from Sam Barlow, creator of Her Story.
The core gameplay loop allows you to explore and piece together the mystery surrounding the disappearance of actress Marissa Marcel. You will sift through non-chronological video clips from three of Marissa's unreleased films, as well as behind-the-scenes footage, to uncover the truth.
The primary gameplay mechanic lets you navigate between video clips by clicking on objects, characters, or other elements that appear on screen. Clicking these interactive elements takes you to a new, related clip, gradually building your understanding of the overarching narrative by making connections between the various scenes.
You can slow down, pause, and reverse the footage, which is often necessary to uncover hidden details or additional scenes within the clips. This scrubbing mechanic allows you to carefully examine each piece of footage, searching for subtle clues and nuances that could lead to new discoveries.
While the game doesn't provide a traditional inventory or checklist, you can access a menu that keeps track of the video clips you have unlocked. This catalog lets you review the footage you have found and revisit specific scenes as needed. Some reviewers have noted that a more robust cataloging or note-taking system could have improved the overall experience, as the sheer volume of clips can be overwhelming to keep track of.
Many reviewers have emphasized the importance of using a controller, as the game's unique input mechanic and special effects are optimized for gamepad usage. The subtle vibrations and haptic feedback provided by a controller can enhance your sense of immersion and discovery, making the experience more tactile and intuitive.