AUGUST 26, 2025 - The truth has teeth, and in the City of Ink, everyone's ready to bite. Darkway: Murder of King Mere, a painterly-pixel murder mystery set in a world where pack loyalty shapes kingdoms, is prowling toward Steam this Fall 2025. Inspired by narrative adventures like Disco Elysium, this noir-inspired thriller puts players in the paws of the Master Detective's Apprentice, arriving four days too late to a crime scene that reeks of conspiracy.
Wishlist now on Steam - The scent trail is getting cold.
Welcome to the City of Ink
The King Mere Is Dead
His brother stands accused. The truth is buried deeper than bone.
In the remote City of Ink, diplomacy has died alongside its greatest champion. King Mere, once the Dog Empyre's beacon of peace, now lies a bloodstain on the snow while his brother August faces swift conviction. But you're not here to accept easy answers - you're here to dig up what others want to keep hidden.
As the Apprentice, you're left piecing together scraps of truth in a city where every answer only leads to another question.
Was it simple regicide, or a conspiracy that threatens the entire Empyre? Will you uncover what really happened? Will you die trying? Or will you find yourself behind bars?
These streets hide the truth
Key Features
- Branching Conversations Choices matter. The truth shifts depending on how deeply you're willing to dig.
- 20+ Fully Voiced Characters A diverse cast brought to life with full voice acting. Uncover secrets, build trust, and gain allies - or enemies.
- Fluid Parkour Movement Scale castle walls, leap rooftops, and slip through hidden alleys as you gather evidence.
- Painterly-Pixel Art Style Hand-crafted visuals that blur the line between painting and pixel art.
- Multiple Endings Your investigation will determine not just who you expose, but whether justice or conspiracy wins the day.
Platform: Steam (PC)
Release Window: Fall 2025
Developer: IM/MORTAL Studios
Director: Pierce Papke (Ekpap)
Genre: Murder Mystery / Narrative Adventure
Links
Steam Page (Wishlist): https://store.steampowered.com/app/3875890/Darkway_Murder_of_King_Mere
Press Kit: https://impress.games/press-kit/bonfirepr/darkway-murder-of-king-mere?access=I1QNMLJL2alzBZNAQs3A96og
About IM/MORTAL Studios & Pierce Papke
Led by director Pierce Papke, IM/MORTAL Studios creates emotionally resonant games that capture the complexity of life through art. Papke brings extensive character design experience from major studios including Nexon Korea (Dave the Diver) and Hero Forge before founding IM/MORTAL Studios. With Darkway: Murder of King Mere, the team brings their artistic vision to an anthropomorphic world where justice has claws.
Press Contact: hello@bonfirepr.co.uk
Media inquiries, previews, and interview opportunities available.