Indonesian student game development team OverlyUnderqualified has announced Linework, a 2D pixel art puzzle game that combines narrative-driven investigation with a unique drawing mechanic. The game reimagines the classic detective genre by focusing on witness interrogation and forensic sketching as players work to identify suspects and uncover the truth.
Set in 1990s China, Linework places players in the role of an investigative forensic artist tasked with solving a series of crimes. Each case unfolds through interactions with a diverse range of witnesses, whose conflicting testimonies must be examined and interpreted carefully. Players must read between the lines, uncovering the lies, finding inconsistencies and subtle emotional cues, to piece together the true face of the perpetrator.
On their press release, OverlyUnderqualified stated that the player can build their deduction through three key mechanics:
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Present Documents: Players can present evidence and documents to witnesses, opening new lines of questioning and uncovering hidden truths.
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Collect Clues: An innovative note-taking system allows players to drag keywords directly from witness testimonies to build their case file.
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Sketch to Catch: The game’s central mechanic challenges players to draw the suspect’s face based on the witnesses’ often vague and conflicting descriptions.
The idea for Linework was born during Gameseed 2025, where OverlyUnderqualified developed the game from concept to playable prototype in just ten days. Their efforts earned them a place among the top ten finalists in the student category, leading to an incubation period where they refined the gameplay, visuals, and narrative. Later at Indonesia Game Developer Exchange (IGDX) 2025, Linework was awarded as the winner of that year’s Gameseed from the student category.
Following their IGDX showcase, OverlyUnderqualified plans to continue improving Linework based on community feedback. The team aims to enhance user experience, polish its mechanics, and expand its narrative with additional cases. Currently, the demo of the game is available on itch.io.
The Indonesian Anime Times
