The miners of Rabbit Burrows are falling ill, and it is hurting production. As an eminent scholar of the Animal Kingdom, Charles Quill has been summoned by the Crown to help them solve the outbreak. The miners know and respect the young scholar, but there seem to be other things at play.
The game offers multiple control options, allowing players to navigate the world using either a keyboard or mouse. The keyboard provides the most intuitive prompts, while the mouse controls work well for moving the character and interacting with the environment. Some players noted occasional issues with precision, especially when navigating stairs or interacting with overlapping hotspots, but overall the controls are accessible and easy to get the hang of.
The core gameplay revolves around the detective work required to solve the mystery at hand. Players gather clues by talking to the various characters, examining the environment, and reading through the books and testimonies available. These clues are then compiled in the protagonist's journal, where players must connect the dots and form hypotheses to determine the cause of the outbreak affecting the miners. Many reviewers praised this mechanic, stating that it strikes a nice balance between being challenging enough to feel rewarding, but not so convoluted as to become frustrating. The process of collecting evidence and testing theories to arrive at the correct conclusion is engaging and encourages players to think critically.
The game features a narrative with multiple branching paths and endings, based on the player's decisions and the conclusions they reach during the investigation. This adds a layer of replayability, as players can experiment with different approaches and see how their choices impact the story's outcome. Reviewers appreciated this element, as it allows them to explore the various ways the mystery can be resolved and the consequences of their actions. The game's narrative is praised for its nuance and depth, tackling themes of worker's rights, government responsibility, and the dynamics of power in a thoughtful manner.
Reviewers consistently highlight the richness of the world and attention to detail in the world-building. The charming, cartoony art style, combined with the well-written dialogue and lore-rich environment, create a compelling and cohesive setting that draws players in. Many reviewers expressed excitement for the potential of the larger "Trip the Ark Fantastic" universe, of which this game is a standalone prelude, indicating that it has successfully piqued their interest in exploring more of this imaginative world.