Five days, murder, and a camp full of secrets—welcome to the mind-surfing world of Mindcop. 

What if you could read minds to solve crimes? That’s the premise behind Mindcop, a non-linear, Indie, self-described ‘whodunnit’ detective game. Brought to us by Andre Gareis and published by Dear Villagers. Blending comic-esque detective noir aesthetics with unique gameplay mechanics, Mindcop offers a zany take on crime-solving. But does its innovation make it a must-play, or does it fall victim to its own ambitious premise? Find out more in our Mindcop Review!

Oh, we all know THAT guy.

Mindcop Review – Story

Set in the middle-of-nowhere tourist trap of Merrilyn Crater Camp, Mindcop (MC) and his assistant—sorry, partner—Linda are on the case to solve a grisly murder. Rebecca, a camp resident, has been brutally stabbed, and the local policeman is either woefully unprepared or perhaps too entangled to crack the case.

Uh oh…

MC has just five days to uncover the truth, and every action eats up precious time. As the player, you’ll need to prioritise leads wisely because, at the end of those five days, whoever is in the holding cell will face trial. So, no pressure—but will you pin the right culprit?

Bad boys, bad boy; Was you gonna do? What you gonna do if it’s come for you?

As you chase down clues, you’ll quickly realise Merrilyn Crater Camp isn’t just a murder scene—it’s a cauldron bubbling over with drama: betrayal, financial scandals, substance abuse… you name it. While some of this is just local gossip, a few side stories might lure you into playing hero. One particularly nasty scenario dares you to test your moral compass, though no judgment if you’re here purely for the murder mystery.

Remember, grannie is always right? Isn’t she?

Mindcop serves up two endings, both hinging on a mix of mind reading, resurrection, and of course making the right decisions. The showdown reveals that MC’s powers are far greater than anyone imagined. That said, the endings might leave you scratching your head—much like MC himself, who briskly wraps things up with the offhand declaration that he’s “getting bored.”

Mindcop Review – Gameplay

The gameplay is straightforward: move left, move right, and interact with objects and people. At first, you’ll have the opportunity to question each town member, unlocking access to the Mindsurf mini-game—a match-’em-up puzzle reminiscent of Candy Crush where you will line up coloured ‘mind bullets’. Successfully completing it grants you entry to the mysterious (and delightfully pink) Sea of Thoughts.

After all, what’s the harm in a white lie?

This mechanic lets you explore characters’ thoughts and memories, uncovering everything from hidden motives to crucial evidence and fresh discussion topics with the townspeople. The twist? You’re presented with a truth, an uncertainty, and a lie. These fragments may appear as cryptic symbols or vivid reconstructions of past events, challenging players to piece together the real story and decipher the psyche of the campers.

Good…Bad…Can you decipher the truth from the lie?

To build a case, players must cross-reference truths, uncertainties, and lies with physical evidence—either by relying on your own detective skills or enlisting the help of the local forensic expert for deeper analysis. Although the game isn’t without its frustrations. Every interaction consumes precious time, and when the clock runs out, so does the day.

And you thought 7 days wasn’t long enough? Samara was generous.

If you’re feeling confident in your hunch, you can go ahead and arrest a camper—but tread carefully. Whoever ends up in the holding cell at the end of the five days will be your final suspect, whether they’re guilty or not. Alternatively, you can request a search warrant to dig deeper into a suspect’s home, but don’t be shocked if it sours your relationship and they stop cooperating.

In the words of Charlie XCX – Dial 999, it’s a good time.

At times, the game can feel unforgiving, offering minimal guidance and leaving you scrambling for answers—or sifting through waste paper bins in desperation. Yet, it’s within these meandering moments that Mindcop’s crime thriller narrative comes alive, after all a detective’s joy is in the journey not the destination.

It’s Nice, It’s Different, It’s Unusual

Mindcop Review – Visuals

Mindcop’s art direction is striking; despite a limited color palette of mostly red, black, and white, the camp and its quirky inhabitants feel vividly alive. Blending comic-style noir aesthetics with minimalist animation, the game exudes a crisp, cool vibe—much like Mindcop himself, whose ego makes sure you never forget it.

Why does this make me think of oak milk and barista made coffee?

As I cycled through the camp, mind-surfed, and dove into the Sea of Thoughts, my husband chimed in with, “This is the strangest thing I’ve ever seen you play.” Funny enough, it almost certainly isn’t—but it does speak to the game’s undeniable uniqueness. The Sea of Thoughts, with its cryptic and atmospheric reconstructions of memories, had me genuinely feeling fear, sadness, or joy at times. The colours and artistic flair work seamlessly to bring the townspeople’s emotions to life, making the experience both surreal and surprisingly moving.

“This is the strangest thing I’ve ever seen you play.”

Mindcop Review – Audio

The sound design in Mindcop perfectly amplifies its atmosphere. A snazzy, jazz-infused soundtrack underscores the noir vibe, setting the tone for every twist and turn—and at times, adding a surprisingly jaunty touch to the suspense. While the townspeople communicate through grunts and moans, the cutscenes shine with the gruff voice of MC and the sultry tones of Linda, delivering solid voice acting that feels right at home in the game’s genre.

Mindcop Review – What Else?

In Mindcop, you’ll truly have to figure things out on your own. Unlike other detective games that hand you a clear path, here it’s up to you how you spend your day and there are plenty of distractions or dead-end leads along the way. At the start, the game suggests taking notes, although I’ll admit, I didn’t follow that advice. Trust me, you will benefit from taking notes.

The things I’d do for a cinnamon roll…

Mindcop Review – Conclusion

Mindcop is fun. Its unique gameplay, atmospheric visuals, and surprisingly rich, emotive narrative make it a standout in the indie scene. That said, I’d argue its replayability isn’t its strongest suit, as the lies and deceit lose their impact after the initial shock and awe. Still, if you’ve got five hours to kill and feel like flexing your mental muscles, it’s absolutely worth a play.

The twisted path of crime!

So, why should you play Mindcop?

• You love solving puzzles and piecing together intricate cases.
• In the mood for a compact, satisfying gaming experience.
• Fan of detective noir aesthetics and atmospheric storytelling.

But why shouldn’t you play Mindcop?

• Not a fan of games that make you earn your rewards.
• The puzzles might try your patience—though you can disable them (at the cost of much of the game’s charm).
• You prefer action-packed gameplay over narrative-driven experiences.

A review code was kindly provided by Dear Villagers for the purpose of our Mindcop Review.  You can check out our other reviews here and if you haven’t already, be sure to join the Qualbert Discord to find out about the latest game and review updates!