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Two detectives targeted by the Cryptic Killer must trade separate clues and solve co-op puzzles to escape his experiment.
Released 05 Jun 2025
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Two detectives, one deadly experiment, a race against time. Each player only has one half of the puzzle. In this 2-player co-op puzzle game you can survive the parallel experiment only by working together.
Developed by Eleven Puzzles · Published by Eleven Puzzles
Detectives Ally and Old Dog are drawn into the Cryptic Killer’s deadly experiment. Players take their roles in a noir-inspired, comic-book adventure that can be played without knowing the earlier chapters.
The detectives are often separated and see different clues, so partners must describe what they find and work out solutions together. Point-and-click exploration takes them through rooms and locations, where they investigate objects, solve puzzles, and speak with characters through cooperative dialogues and response choices.
More than 80 puzzles use varied tasks, from deciphering codes and opening locks to handling electronic components. Optional retro-style co-op minigames and collectible tokens offer extra activities, while players can take notes and sketch ideas in their notebooks.
Players who enjoyed the game often praise the puzzles and the way each partner must communicate and contribute, making it a shared problem-solving experience rather than one player doing all the work. Reviews also appreciate the range of puzzle types, the expanded exploration and minigames, and the comic-book presentation. Some players found certain puzzles unclear or unintuitive, and opinions on the story were mixed.
IMPORTANT: "Parallel Experiment" is a 2-player cooperative puzzle game with escape room-like elements. Each player must have their own copy on either mobile, tablet, PC or Mac (cross-platform play is supported).
In the game players take on the roles of two detectives who are often separated, each with different clues, and must work together to solve puzzles. Internet connection and voice communication are essential. Need a Player Two? Join our community on Discord! Find the link on the side of our Steam page.
Parallel Experiment is a noir-inspired adventure with a comic book art style, featuring detectives Ally and Old Dog. While following the trail of the dangerous Cryptic Killer, they suddenly become his targets and are now unwilling participants in his twisted experiment.
This is the second standalone chapter in the “Cryptic Killer” cooperative point-and-click puzzle game series. You can play Unboxing the Cryptic Killer first, if you want to learn more about our detectives and their nemesis, but Parallel Experiment can be enjoyed without prior knowledge.
In Parallel Experiment, players must rely on their communication skills as they’re separated and must each discover unique clues that are vital for solving puzzles on the other end. Teamwork is essential to crack the Cryptic Killer’s codes.
There are over 80 puzzles striking the perfect balance between challenging yet fair. But you're not facing them on your own! Communicate with your partner on how to best proceed, solve a puzzle on your end that unlocks the next step for them and discover a wide variety of puzzles from redirecting water flows, finding computer passwords and unlocking intricate locks, to deciphering cryptic ciphers, soldering electronic components, and even waking up a drunk!
Looking for a break from the main investigation? Dive into a variety of retro-inspired mini-games designed with a fresh cooperative twist. Challenge each other to darts, Three in a Row, Match Three, Claw Machine, Push and Pull, and more. Think you know these classics? We’ve reinvented them for a whole new co-op experience
Uncover vital clues through collaborative conversations. NPCs respond dynamically to each player, offering new layers of interaction that only teamwork can unravel. Some conversations are puzzles in themselves that you need to solve together!
Our love for comic books shines in Parallel Experiment. Every cutscene is presented as a beautifully crafted comic book page, immersing you in a gripping, noir-inspired narrative.
How many pages did we create to tell the story? Almost 100 pages! Even we were surprised by how much it took, but every panel was worth it to deliver a story that keeps you on edge until the very last frame.
Every detective needs a notebook. In Parallel Experiment, players can jot down notes, sketch solutions, and interact with the environment in creative ways. But we all know what you're going to draw first…
This is a key feature? Yes. Yes, it is.
Each level will have some way for players to annoy their co-op partner: knock on a window to distract them, poke them, make their screens shake. You already know you'll be doing this just by reading it, right?
Parallel Experiment has a variety of mind-twisting challenges that push the boundaries of cooperative puzzle design, offering situations never seen before in other games.
| Platforms | Windows, macOS |
|---|---|
| Achievements | 26 |
| Age ratings |
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| Controller required | No |
| Content notices |
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| Website | Official website |
