A huge perk of Xbox Game Pass is getting to try out games without having to buy them. For a game like The Last Case of Benedict Fox, the service seems like the best way for players who might not have purchased this title to give it a chance. While the game’s art style and fun Lovecraftian vibe offer plenty of intrigue, you won’t find much in terms of gameplay worth seeing this adventure through. Let’s get into The Last Case of Benedict Fox.

Like many Metroidvania titles, your goal in Benedict Fox is to unravel a tangled web of uncertainties and (in some moments) freaky occurrences. Inspired by Lovecraftian fiction and lore, the player controls the titular character on the cusp of performing a creepy ritual. The only problem is the people he needs to help him do it are dead, which ends up not being too much of a problem because our detective can go into the minds of the recently deceased. Each person’s mind (as you can imagine) is a mess. That makes traversing the game’s levels and spaces a real treat.

By traveling into people’s minds, you uncover the truth about what happened to the couple you sought out, as well as why you’re even wanting to perform a scary ritual in the first place. The only problem is that the platforming and puzzles you solve to reach each new revelation are incredibly lackluster. The sad reality is that The Case of Benedict Fox isn’t very fun to play. With very little challenge to throw you off, the player relies solely on gorgeous art and visuals to keep going. If that’s not enough for you, then it’s best not even to try this game on for size, even if you are an Xbox Game Pass subscriber.

The concept of traversing dead people’s minds is great. However, it should come with an immersion that feels as thrilling as it does eerie. There’s no chance of that occurring here, unfortunately, due to some less-than-smooth movement and controls. I never felt fully in Benedict’s shoes because there are just too many platformers out in 2023 that play better. Puzzles, which mostly take place in your surrounding environments, feel more like a chore than a slow progression toward the truth.

A few hours with Benedict Fox will show you exactly what’s in store for the nearly 20-hour adventure. My gut says that unless Lovecraftian worldbuilding is your go-to for books, movies, and games, there won’t be enough to keep you engaged. I enjoyed the story’s end quite a bit, but for many, I worry that traversing the dead’s minds won’t build enough suspense to make a sluggish game worth seeing to its finale. The Last Case of Benedict Fox is available now for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. The game is also available for Xbox Game Pass subscribers.

An Xbox Series X review key was provided by Rogue Games for this review.

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The Last Case of Benedict Fox

$24.99

8.5

Score

8.5/10

Pros

• Concept is Interesting
• Visuals are Gorgeous
• Story is Intriguing
• User-Friendly Controls

Cons

• Platforming is Lackluster
• Puzzles feel like a Chore