Karisvale

Karisvale

Released Apr 2022

Your next job awaits in Karisvale, detective. Will you fulfill your duty? Or become lost in the mystery... Explore a retro top-down world, question its citizens, and collect hidden items to uncover Karisvale's dark secret.

93% positive · 193 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence

Where to get it

Free on Steam

Evaluation

Karisvale is a free-to-play narrative mystery game created largely by a single developer (Brendan Tighe) as a student passion project. It launched on April 1, 2022, and was described at launch as a short, self-contained experience — the store page explicitly calls it "a short but condensed game, suitable for a single sitting." Following launch, the developer issued two small bug-fix patches in April 2022 to address stability issues and polish, then posted a developer commentary video in May 2022. The last meaningful communication about Karisvale itself came on May 8, 2023, when the developer announced a new, separate game (Eye 4 Eye) — effectively signaling he had moved on to a new project. There is only one DLC item listed, a "Fan Pack" that released on the same day as the game (April 1, 2022), which is cosmetic/bonus content rather than a story expansion. No additional DLC has been announced or listed. The developer has never communicated any roadmap, expansion plans, or future content for Karisvale. The May 2023 post about Eye 4 Eye reinforces that the developer's attention had shifted away from Karisvale. The game shipped as a complete, finished product. There is no evidence of any planned or unannounced content for Karisvale.
Evidence
Developer announces Eye 4 Eye, a separate new game, as their next project — the last communication referencing Karisvale at all. Indicates the developer has moved on to new work.
news post · May 8, 2023 source development ending
high
Store description explicitly describes the game as 'a short but condensed game, suitable for a single sitting' and notes it was created mostly by one person over the past year — framing it as a complete, self-contained experience.
description source development ending
high

Content

1 of 1 released · no outstanding content
Released
Apr 2022

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
Brendan Tighe
Achievements
11
Platform
Windows
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Not rated
Players
Single-player

About this game

Karisvale is a narrative-driven top-down mystery game where you assume the role of Shaymus O’Malley, a seasoned detective who has been summoned by the mayor of Karisvale to find a missing citizen. You must explore the town of Karisvale, question its citizens, and piece together what exactly is going on in this uncanny game.

A Plethora of Interesting Characters, Each with Unique Motives



Every citizen features branching dialogue paths that allow you to form your own conclusions in this gripping, cryptic narrative. Karisvale tells a non-linear story and it is up to you to piece it together.

Unravel the Lore Through Collectibles



Exploring Karisvale will net you hidden Dead Flowers that contain information on the history of where they were found. Find Dead Flowers in hidden rooms, through puzzles, and by talking to the townsfolk. I wonder what might happen if you collect them all...

Additional Features



  • A mesmerizing original soundtrack
  • Authentic 2D art style with modernized twists
  • Beautiful handcrafted locations to explore
  • A short but condensed game, suitable for a single sitting
  • Created mostly by one person, in the Unity engine, in the past year
  • Inspirations include the Lavender Town creepypasta, Doki Doki Literature Club, and the film, Shutter Island
  • Runs perfectly on Steam Deck!


Last evaluated Jun 22, 2026
Something about this evaluation looks wrong Report illegal or harmful content