indiegame.fan
Death at Sycamore Hall header art

Death at Sycamore Hall

An arcane detective game set in an ill-fated magical academy. Find traces of magic and deduce the meaning of incantations. Examine scenes for clues to help you piece together the story, and determine the identity and fate of each former resident.

Steam Page
Release
Coming Soon
Steam Reviews
No reviews yet

Does this feel indie?

Vote based on whether this game feels indie to you. You can change your vote at any time. Results earn an IGF score after 10 accepted votes.
No votes yet
Vote on More Games
Game contextLatest: IGF Team
ContextThe evidence factors used to assess whether this game belongs on IndieGame.Fan.Status
Notes
Latest Contributor: IGF TeamEdit notes
Updated: Jul 14, 2026Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer.
Updated: Jul 14, 2026Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher.
Updated: Jul 14, 2026Publisher statusHow the game's publishing relationship is classified.
Search Google: How is Death at Sycamore Hall and Hesperus Games funded?FundingThe known source of funding behind the game.
Updated: Jul 14, 2026Creative controlWho appears to retain creative control of the game.
Updated: Jul 14, 2026Release statusWhether and how the game has been released.

Media

7 items

About the Game

You are an arcane detective, a forensics expert tasked with investigating the aftermath of a catastrophic event at a magical academy. Use your investigative device to find traces of magic, and examine scenes for physical clues. Piece together the story, learn incantations and deduce the identity and fate of each former resident. 

Uncover a mystery

The arcane academy at Sycamore Hall has long been a mystery to the non-magical folk living nearby, with strange vapours and noises being all that regularly leaks out of the golden gates. However, a recent catastrophe is rumoured to have left none alive. You will be the one to breach the gates as you enter Sycamore Hall in your role as an arcane detective to investigate the aftermath and determine the fates of the residents.

Deduce magical incantations

Mundane scientists have snatched up any morsels of arcane knowledge they can find, and over several years they have built a device that is believed to display and parse the essence of magic. Armed with this cutting edge technology, you will be able to see traces of magical spells and determine the incantations that caused them. Deduce the language of incantations as you discover wild and varied uses of magic throughout the academy. 

Examine clues

You will also need to use all the physical clues available in the environment, from mystical tomes to personal items, and even the bodies of former staff and students. As you go deeper into the castle, things may not always be as they seem…

Features:

Learn the language of spells

Use your device to visualise incantations. Combine this information with what you can deduce of spell effects, and learn the magical language.

Increasing difficulty

Deductions become more complex as you progress through the castle. Explore at your own pace and travel to new areas as you learn more.

Unravel a mysterious tale

Piece together the evidence to figure out what caused the catastrophe and determine the fates of the former staff and students.