The Last Case of John Morley immerses players in a dark and stylized 1940s setting, where we assume the role of detective John Morley. Recently discharged from the hospital after a prolonged recovery from a head injury sustained during his previous mission, Morley is promptly tasked with a new investigation upon returning to his office. His client, Lady Margaret Fordside, seeks his expertise to revisit the murder of her daughter, a case officially closed over two decades ago, but now propelled back into relevance by new developments. As Morley undertakes the assignment, he soon discovers the complexities hidden beneath the surface.

Presentation and Production

Developed by the Spanish independent studio Indigo Studios, The Last Case of John Morley is clearly not positioned as an AAA title. While the environmental design is well-crafted and the atmosphere effectively established, the animations and character models exhibit noticeable shortcomings. They often appear stiff and lack fluidity, with basic synchronization for mouth movements and facial expressions.

Gameplay and Structure

The gameplay unfolds entirely from a first-person perspective, with the absence of cutscenes contributing to a continuous, immersive experience. The well-crafted music and atmospheric design effectively draw the player into the unfolding mystery.

However, player agency regarding movement is notably restricted. The inability to jump or crouch, for instance, underscores the game’s inherently limited and highly linear design. While a few minor side activities are present, progression predominantly follows a sequential path. Instances where I encountered impediments typically stemmed from overlooking an exit or a crucial item within the environment.

Puzzles, Tone, and Experience

The game heavily utilizes darkness and incorporates unsettling elements, yet it firmly establishes itself as a detective mystery rather than a horror title. During the initial hours, my engagement with the experience was inconsistent. Many puzzles proved to be straightforward, even trivial, and some lacked clear logical integration with the narrative. For instance, scenarios requiring the manipulation of environmental objects like tilting paintings to unlock doors felt somewhat incongruous.

However, a turning point emerged. I found myself increasingly immersed in the narrative, unable to disengage. Upon reaching its conclusion, I was genuinely astonished by the unforeseen twists of the ending. This impactful revelation was partly due to the game’s concise duration (3–5 hours), but predominantly attributed to the exceptional power of its final sequence. The credits rolled as I reflected on a truly satisfying narrative resolution.

Technical Aspects and Replay Value

The combination of a brief playtime and pronounced linearity significantly limits replay value. Once the narrative concludes, there is minimal incentive for a subsequent playthrough, despite the presence of a few minor optional paths.

The game consistently maintains a stable 60 FPS, with no discernible options for selecting between Performance and Quality modes; only a single graphical configuration is available. Furthermore, there are no apparent indications of performance or visual distinctions between the standard PlayStation 5 and the PlayStation 5 Pro.

Summary

The Last Case of John Morley is characterized by its concise runtime, pronounced linearity, and relatively straightforward design, positioning it primarily as a single-playthrough experience. While these attributes might suggest a negative impression, the reality is quite the contrary. The three hours spent were thoroughly engaging, culminating in an ending that profoundly elevated the overall experience.

Priced lower than a typical cinema ticket, the game offers exceptional value. We highly recommend experiencing The Last Case of John Morley; it delivers a gaming experience that significantly surpasses its modest cost.

JanduSoft provided a review code for this test. The material provider has no editorial influence on our reviews.