Dupery: A Game of Solo Deduction is a detective and logic puzzle game that transforms the familiar concept of social deduction games, such as Werewolf, Town of Salem and Blood on the Clocktower, into a roguelite single-player experience.
Players take on the role of a detective in a corrupt, criminal-controlled city, all presented in a dark, black-and-white film noir style. The aim of the game is to investigate three different regions in order to ultimately bring down the leaders of the syndicate and its boss.
Each case is presented as a procedurally generated grid of suspect cards on an investigation table. Each character takes on one of over 175 handcrafted roles and makes a statement. Players must then interrogate the suspects, examine the evidence, and determine who is telling the truth and what their role is. In terms of gameplay, Dupery functions less like a fixed crime story and more like a complex, mathematical-logical puzzle. Players must draw the correct conclusions from contradictory witness statements, which is not at all easy because, while members of the syndicate are lying, even the 'good guys' can be manipulated. There are four roles in total: Innocent, Meddler, Underling, and Traitor. Underlings lie, traitors are worse, and even the well-meaning may be tainted. Meddlers (or Tricksters) are particularly unique: they do not belong to the Syndicate, but they actively cause chaos through their abilities, confusing witnesses and even wanting to be arrested in order to cost players their jobs.
Dupery: A Game Of Solo Deduction © Gilded Rune Games, Yogscast Games
Players must therefore cross-check statements, uncover contradictions, and ultimately arrest all the criminals. In true detective style, this is done using pins, string, and note-taking tools on a digital investigation board. However, if players imprison innocent people (or 'good guys' who have been manipulated) too often, they will lose their reputation. If this drops to zero, the game is over. In addition, different roles, quirks and modifiers can be chosen between missions, and the mechanics vary across the regions.
With over 175 roles, procedural cases, three regions and roguelite modifiers, Dupery: A Game Of Solo Deduction is quite complex and offers high replay value. However, this also means it's not exactly easy to get into, particularly as the tutorial only scratches the surface, especially with regard to the special rules. The flood of information can initially be overwhelming, and when players fail, the game doesn't always clearly explain why a conclusion was incorrect, although there are customisable difficulty levels. Furthermore, the procedural generation may occasionally create situations where the clues aren't sufficient for 100% deduction. Sometimes, players must take a calculated risk and accept the possibility of a wrongful arrest.
Dupery: A Game Of Solo Deduction © Gilded Rune Games, Yogscast Games
Between cases, players decide which new roles to add to the pool in the style of a deck-builder, while working their way through nine difficulty levels (tiers) across the three regions towards the grand finale.
Dupery: A Game of Solo Deduction is being developed by Gilded Rune Games. This independent game development studio is based in Bristol, UK and is run by three people: Matthew Brebner, Luke Eyre, and Lydia Barraclough. The studio produces small 2D indie games such as Isle of Maligree, My Party Needs an Alchemist and Dupery. The game is published by Yogscast Games, an independent publisher also based in Bristol. Yogscast Games is responsible for PlateUp!, which has sold over three million copies on Steam, and Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers, which grossed over $1m in its first month on sale.
Dupery: A Game Of Solo Deduction © Gilded Rune Games, Yogscast Games
Dupery: A Game Of Solo Deduction was released on 15 October 2026 for PC and Mac via Steam, priced at €12.99. Further updates to the game are planned, including a custom level editor and modding support, both of which will have Steam Workshop integration. New features will include quirks, alternative modes, and a new full region.
Dupery: A Game Of Solo Deduction is a bold detective game that transforms the social deduction concept into a solo logic puzzle. It offers tremendous replay value, but players must be prepared for a steep learning curve.
