Mask
of the Rose

Mask of the Rose (2023) is a narrative game set in the same underground, gothic, Victorian London as Sunless Sea. You talk to different characters, seeking friendships or romance, and attempt to solve a murder mystery with a resurrected victim. It stands out for its unique setting, varied characters, and how you can pursue romance or remain firmly platonic.

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In a world where London has just collapsed into a vast underground cavern and death has become only a temporary inconvenience before you get resurrected, you invent your character, deciding who they were before the fall and who they will be now. You interact with a host of characters, from mysterious, shadowy Masters to charming city officials to aspiring novelists, completing requests and forming bonds. When someone is unexpectedly murdered, you join the investigation into their death alongside the police and the resurrected victim.

Play is text-based, with you selecting responses and questions to ask each character. You can form romantic and platonic relationships with all the characters, create romantic stories to tell, and even make other characters fall in love with each other. The backstory you create for yourself, how you present yourself, and what you say all affect how people treat you and can ultimately change the outcome of the story.

The result is a unique game where you can solve murders, fall in love, or just make friends. Choosing who you want to be and what you want your story to look like is where the fun lies, and offers an engaging and entertaining narrative that's shaped by your choices.

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Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked Mask of the Rose 10 months ago. It was re-examined by Oli Hawkins and updated 9 months ago.