It is not often that we in the UK get to say this - "we had it first!" However, in the case of Blue Toad Murder Files: The Mysteries of Little Riddle, this rarity has occured. The 4-player co-op puzzle game is an exclusive title for the Playstation Network by developer Relentless Software, the makers of Buzz. Parts 1 and 2 are already available in the UK, with part 3 coming soon and downloadable free for Brits. A press release from Relentless has confirmed the US release dates and pricing as:
March 25th - Episodes 1-3, bundle price $14.99, individual episodes $7.49
April 29th - Episodes 4-6, same pricing
Blue Toad Murder Files follows four members of a crime solving team. The game comes in six acts, each starting with a murder; the players must then investigate the death and interview the various suspects. To do this, a series of Professor Layton type puzzle must be solved. Although the game is promoted mainly as a 4 player co-operative title, it can also be played as 4 player versus. Each player takes it in turn to solve a puzzle, and it is down to the players to decide amongst themselves whether they wish to aid one another. Do you see yourself as a co-op or co-not player?
If this is not enough to sell you the game, according to Andrew Eades, the Executive Director of Relentless:
Blue Toad Murders is a thoroughly British game which doesn't take itself too seriously... We hope North American gamers will enjoy poking fun at English stereotypes.
As a thoroughly British person I hope that our American cousins enjoy the friendly xenophobia that the game provides as well as its fiendish puzzles. Check Co-Optimus soon for a review of the game.
Source: Bluetoadmurderfiles.co.uk