Star Apprentice: Magical Murder Mystery

Shooter· Detective· Visual Novel· Mystery

Released Jul 2021

Star Apprentice: Magical Murder Mystery is a danmaku-detective game that combines point-and-click style deduction with high octane bullet hell gameplay. Find evidence, interrogate suspects, and refute contradictions to solve the case!

94% positive · 183 reviews

Not yet

Released, but content still planned

High confidence

Content Planned

Not yet

Released, but content still planned

High confidence

Content Planned

Where to get it

Free on Steam

Steam Free

Evaluation

Star Apprentice: Magical Murder Mystery is a free-to-play game originally built as a university student project, released on July 8, 2021. On July 9, 2026 — the game's 5th anniversary — the developer (Will-o-Works) posted an update stating they have "been hard at work on our next thing" and, crucially, closed with: "We're not done with Star Apprentice." This is a direct developer statement that further work on this game is planned, even if no specific content has been named or detailed yet. The developer also encouraged fans to follow their developer page for future announcements. This supersedes the previous assessment, which treated the game as complete based on the lack of communication following the July 2023 bug fix patch. The 5th anniversary post makes clear the studio considers Star Apprentice an ongoing project.

Evidence

5th anniversary post: developer states "We're not done with Star Apprentice" and hints at future work, encouraging fans to follow their developer page for updates.

news post · Jul 9, 2026 source content planned

high

Version 2.0 major engine rewrite released with quality-of-life improvements and content updates. Post hints at future work from the studio.

news post · Feb 18, 2023 source content shipped

medium

Media

Details

Developer

Will-o-Works

Publisher

Will-o-Works

Achievements

—

Platform

Windows

Controller

partial support

Steam Deck

Playable

Players

Single-player

Detective Visual Novel Mystery Anime Magic Investigation Female Protagonist Cute Story Rich Logic Bullet Hell Shoot 'Em Up Pixel Graphics Linear Adventure

About this game

As the titular Star Apprentice Minnie, you will traverse a magical train, collecting evidence and confronting suspects. Uncover clues that will allow you to confront the quirky cast of characters in chaotic bullet hell Confrontation scenes. Blast away the enemy's contradictions, and discover the truth behind the mystery aboard the Scarlet Express!

Throughout the game, you'll grapple with a colourful cast of mysterious magical suspects, including an obsessed fangirl, an alcoholic, and a business tycoon. Will the Star Apprentice be able to rise up to the challenge and find the culprit behind the mystery, or will she be stuck in her mentor’s shadow forever?

This game was built by a group of students at the University of Alberta for a game development term project. As such, the game is a free download for all!

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