If you like detective games with completely unique elements, Orson, P.I.: Midnight at the Grand Hotel, a title from indie studio Abscure, might end up on your radar for new games. The reason for this is that it’s a mystery game starring a bear cub. As its creators define it, it’s “the world’s cuddliest crime-fighter.”
During the game, you have to investigate a hotel and find out what the 12 guests are up to. The bear cub, who loves chocolate chip cookies and is a staunch defender of justice and freedom, will have to discover who is planning to caper over the hotel’s central vault. With his detective skills, the bear will have to stop the heist before it even happens.
Orson, P.I.: Midnight at the Grand Hotel will arrive on Steam in the first half of 2026.
About Orson, P.I.: Midnight at the Grand Hotel
We open on a cryptic note falling into our hero’s paws. It speaks of a “devious dozen” set to “strike at midnight.” Orson, the rookie of the hotel’s security team, sees this as a chance to move up in the ranks. He resolves to solve the case from top to bottom — who, what, when, where — to prove himself to his boss. The player guides Orson as he pieces together the puzzle to save the hotel’s reputation — and his.
The bulk of the investigation involves interviews with the hotel’s patrons. Guests at the posh locale are often celebrities, giving Orson a useful cover. Instead of putting suspects on the hot seat, he gains their confidence by posing as a “high school reporter” writing an article about the stars of the Grand Hotel.
He asks about their likes and dislikes, hopes and regrets, friends and foes. Alongside a few hardball questions, these conversations give the player a clear sense of who’s telling the truth — and who’s not.
