Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Flikken Game 2: Moord in Hotel Ganda shifts gears from its driving-simulator predecessor into a full-fledged interactive murder mystery. Players step into the shoes of Ghent’s finest detectives, methodically searching the hotel for clues, cataloguing evidence and interrogating suspects. This slow-burning investigative structure rewards careful observation and deductive reasoning, making every discovery feel meaningful as you piece together the timeline of Elisabeth Heel’s final hours.

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The game’s five-day investigation window introduces a subtle time-management element. You’ll prioritize leads—emotional testimonies, physical items, overheard whispers—and assign each piece of evidence a processing priority. Higher-priority clues are analysed faster but require you to balance urgency against the risk of overlooking subtler details. This system adds an engaging layer of strategic planning to what might otherwise be a straightforward point-and-click adventure.

Interrogations are a highlight, supported by a dynamic heart-rate meter that gauges suspect stress levels. Push too hard with direct questioning and you’ll have to pause and resume the session another day, simulating real-world interrogation protocol. This gentle feedback loop keeps conversations realistic and adds tension, as every choice can tip the balance between cooperation and stonewalling.

Aside from on-the-scene exploration, the police desk interface lets you tap into a host of tools: phone calls, video reconstructions, a city map, suspect relationship boards and an email inbox. Each interface element feels integrated into the detective’s daily workflow, pulling you deeper into the case. It’s an inviting blend of investigation and interface management that suits fans of classic adventure titles.

Graphics

Visually, the game makes a solid impression with its 3D models of the TV series’ actors. Character likenesses are rendered credibly, even if the animations sometimes feel a touch stiff. In close-up dialogue scenes you can appreciate the effort to capture each actor’s facial expressions, helping to ground the narrative in familiar faces for series fans.

Hotel Ganda itself is richly detailed: the lobby’s polished marble floors, the dimly lit corridors and the ornate room interiors evoke an authentic Belgian atmosphere. Photographs of Ghent landmarks pepper the map view, reinforcing the game’s local setting. While textures occasionally appear dated by modern standards, the overall aesthetic remains coherent and believable.

The user interface deserves a special mention. Cleanly designed menus and icons keep all investigative tools within reach without cluttering the screen. Transitions between field exploration and desktop analysis are seamless, and clue-selection cursors highlight interactable items with clarity. In a game where detail is everything, the graphical UI delivers both style and function.

Minor shortcomings arise in motion-capture fidelity during suspect interviews; lip-sync can drift slightly, and some gesture animations repeat. However, these quirks are rarely jarring enough to pull you out of the mystery. Overall, the graphical presentation supports immersion, guiding the player through an engaging visual representation of a dark, complex crime.

Story

Adapted from Liza Marklund’s Swedish thriller Dollar, the narrative has been transplanted to Ghent, Belgium, and reframed around the untimely death of young heiress Elisabeth Heel. The core plot remains intact, but the relocation gives the case a fresh cultural texture: Flemish names, Dutch dialogue and real-world cityscapes replace the original Scandinavian backdrop.

The storyline unfolds over five days, each chapter heightening stakes as you uncover personal secrets, financial motives and intertwined relationships among hotel guests and staff. A chipper journalist and supportive colleagues add bits of levity, but underlying tensions simmer in every corridor and interview room. The pacing strikes a balance between quiet clue-gathering and tense revelations, rewarding players who dive deep into each character’s motives.

While true aficionados of the TV series will appreciate the inclusion of familiar faces and references, newcomers find a self-contained whodunit that stands on its own merits. Plot twists are well-timed, and red herrings abound—some more obvious than others—testing your ability to draw logical conclusions without forcing arbitrary leaps.

The faithful translation and Dutch voice acting further anchor the story in its new locale, even if occasional dialogue feels slightly stilted. Minor changes—new names, updated 3D scans of actors, and Belgian-Flemish idioms—give the game a distinct identity while preserving the narrative integrity of Marklund’s original manuscript.

Overall Experience

Flikken Game 2 offers a niche but rewarding experience for players who enjoy methodical detective work over high-octane action. Its blend of exploration, interface management and psychological interrogation creates an immersive investigative sandbox that unfolds at a deliberately measured pace. Patience and attention to detail are handsomely rewarded with satisfying “aha” moments.

Though the graphics and animations sometimes hint at the game’s age, the strong writing and deep localization efforts make the environment come alive. The faithful recreation of Ghent’s urban tapestry, paired with believable character portrayals, lends weight to every clue you uncover. UI polish and a logical evidence-priority system help maintain momentum, preventing the game’s deliberate tempo from feeling sluggish.

Replay value centers on exploring alternative lines of questioning and reviewing overlooked evidence. A few branching interrogation paths and the potential to misinterpret clues encourage a second playthrough for completists. However, once the core mystery is solved, there’s limited new content, making the experience best suited for a one- or two-sitting playthrough.

In summary, Moord in Hotel Ganda is a commendable interactive mystery that smartly repurposes a Swedish classic into the Flikken universe. It will especially resonate with fans of the TV series and players seeking a cerebral cooperative challenge. If you’re ready to don the detective’s hat and unravel a well-crafted Belgian whodunit, this game delivers an absorbing adventure from start to finish.

Retro Replay Score

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