Blue Toad Murder Files
An episodic murder mystery puzzle game set in Little Riddle.
Blue Toad Murder Files, also known as Blue Toad Murder Files: The Mysteries of Little Riddle, is a murder mystery puzzle video game. It was created and released by Relentless Software, a British developer. The game comes in episodes, with the first one hitting the PlayStation 3 via the PlayStation Store in December 2009. A full season consists of six episodes. A Windows version became available for download from online game stores and the official website in November 2010. An update (version 2.0) in December 2010 added support for the PlayStation Move controller. An iOS version followed in April 2013.
**Gameplay** The game supports one to four players. It takes inspiration from TV murder mysteries like Agatha Christie's Poirot, Midsomer Murders, and Jonathan Creek, focusing on witnesses, alibis, and motives rather than being a logic puzzle like Cluedo. Players investigate murders and question residents in the village of Little Riddle. The setting and puzzle-solving mechanics have drawn comparisons to the Professor Layton series, but Blue Toad differs because its puzzles are more tightly woven into the story. At certain points, the game quizzes the player on key plot details and investigation findings to ensure they are paying attention. Actor Tom Dussek voiced all 22 characters, plus a dog.
**Characters** At the start, players choose from four detectives (not counting Watson):
Lambert Vanderbosh was an early member of the agency. He is in his 50s, described as keen, kind, and caring. He has grey hair and a large moustache, and wears a brown business suit with a red scarf featuring white polka dots tucked in. Miss Marjorie Maple appears to be a helpless old lady but is actually an experienced detective. She is understanding, loyal, and respectful toward others in the agency. She has grey hair worn in a bun, and wears a purple twin-set and half-moon eyeglasses. Richard "Dick" Dickens is a credit to British schools with a promising career ahead. He is tutored by the other agents and is very hardworking. He has brown hair always neatly combed to one side, and wears a green sleeveless sweater over a lime green shirt, puffy brown pants, and round glasses. Hannah Dakota is the newest member of the Blue Toad team, earning her invitation by solving the Dilemma of the Discordant Debutant. She is smart and very attractive. She has blonde hair with side bangs tucked
- Developer
- Relentless Software
- Publisher
- Relentless Software
- Platforms
- PlayStation 3, Windows, iOS
- First release
- December 2009 (PlayStation 3)
- Genre
- Murder mystery puzzle
- Number of episodes
- 6
Lore & Background
The game is for one to four players and leans towards TV murder mysteries such as Agatha Christie's Poirot, Midsomer Murders and Jonathan Creek with 'witnesses, alibis [and] motives' rather than being a logic puzzle like Cluedo. The game sees the player investigate murders and interrogate residents in the country village of Little Riddle. Aspects of the game have been compared to the Professor Layton series of games, regarding its setting and puzzle solving game mechanic, but it differs from the Layton games in that the puzzles in Blue Toad are more closely linked to the game's storyline. At various points the game questions the player about their investigation and key plot points to check that they were paying attention. Actor Tom Dussek voiced all the 22 characters (+dog) in the game.
Reader's Guide
Blue Toad Murder Files represents a notable entry in the episodic puzzle adventure genre, blending narrative-driven investigation with traditional puzzle mechanics. Its release strategy—first on PlayStation 3 via digital download, then on Windows and later iOS—reflects the early shift toward digital distribution. The game's emphasis on story-linked puzzles and player comprehension checks distinguishes it from purely logic-based mystery games. The addition of PlayStation Move support in December 2010 shows an attempt to incorporate motion controls. While not a blockbuster title, it is remembered for its British murder-mystery tone and its full voice acting by a single actor, Tom Dussek, who performed all 22 characters and a dog. The game's six-episode season structure was typical of the era's experiments with episodic content outside of traditional retail releases.
Did You Know?
- Actor Tom Dussek voiced all 22 characters plus a dog in the game.
- The game includes a character named Hannah Dakota who received her invitation to the Blue Toad team after solving the Dilemma of the Discordant Debutant.
- The first episode begins with the player arriving by train to the village of Little Riddle.
- Support for PlayStation Move was added via update 2.0 in December 2010.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Blue Toad Murder Files?
It is an episodic murder mystery puzzle game set in the fictional town of Little Riddle. Players work through six separate episodes, each presenting a new crime to investigate and solve.
Who developed and published Blue Toad Murder Files?
Relentless Software, a British game studio, handled both the development and publishing of the title. They released it across several platforms beginning in late 2009.
How many episodes does Blue Toad Murder Files contain?
A full season of the game consists of six individual episodes. Each one delivers a self-contained mystery within the broader Little Riddle setting.
What platforms can I play Blue Toad Murder Files on?
The game is available on PlayStation 3, Windows PC, and iOS devices. The PS3 version also gained PS Move controller support through a version 2.0 update in December 2010.
When did Blue Toad Murder Files first come out?
The opening episode launched on the PlayStation Store in December 2009. A Windows download version arrived in November 2010, followed by an iOS release in April of that same year.
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