The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog

The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog
Key artwork
Developer(s)	Headcannon
Publisher(s)	Sega
Release	March 31, 2023

The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is a 2023 point-and-click visual novel game developed by Headcannon and published by Sega for free on Steam. Unlike traditional Sonic games, the genre is a point and click visual novel, with the player talking to various characters from the Sonic series, to investigate the mysterious circumstances of Sonic's apparent demise on Amy Rose's birthday.

Plot

As a present for Amy Rose's birthday, she, along with several other characters and the player, gather in the Mirage Express, a train designed for special events. A fictional murder scenario is devised, with the player preparing to help solve the case. After a crash, Amy, Tails and the player escape a storage room to find Sonic, seemingly actually deceased. The player then moves between different carriages, themed in various ways, to find the culprit. Progressing through a saloon, a library, a casino and a lounge, the player reaches the conductor car at the front of the train. Using evidence gathered on the train, it is determined that Espio was the villain, knocking Sonic out with a blowdart. It transpires that Espio was following instructions given by the train, which is a giant badnik, taking everyone to Doctor Eggman's base. Back in the lounge, Sonic spindashes through the doors to reach the conductor car. Racing by the train, Sonic jumps into it thrice, and with Amy hammering it, the flicky powering it is freed. The train deactivates, the group disembark at a station, with the conductor reuniting with his wife. Sonic presents a cake to the "confident, unshakable, and radiant Amy Rose" and everyone celebrates.

Gameplay

The player must investigate the environment and interrogate the characters to find out who committed the murder. During interrogations, the gameplay can switch to an isometric perspective, in which the player controls Sonic, running through a level. If they collect enough rings, the player can advance in their investigation. As the game progresses, these platforming challenges rise in difficulty.