This game has a good story, but it has yet to hook me with its barbed psuedopod. Maybe the openness of the world or finding blood crystals is too much of a distraction for my short form video addled mind.

There could be a discovery hump like in Hypnospace Outlaw. if players don't get pass it, they roll back the other way.

This is absolutely my favorite game I played this year. It's more visual novel than detective really. You can start the court case any time you want and you'll not know if you've got it right. I've had so much fun exploring the world and 100% completing it. I dont even like detective or visual novel games usually.

Played this a few years ago. Highly recommend. It got updated with ray tracing awhile back too.

Excellent callout. If you are open to unconventional but highly aesthetic settings and also maybe a fan of Suda 51, check it out.