Chicago-based indie studio Abscure has officially announced the demo release date for its upcoming narrative mystery game, Orson, P.I.: Midnight at the Grand Hotel. Players will be able to step into the paws of the game’s unlikely detective when the first playable demo launches on February 23, 2026, coinciding with Steam Next Fest, which runs until March 2, 2026.
The demo offers an early look at Abscure’s charming detective adventure, blending classic mystery storytelling with playful characters and choice-driven investigation.
A Cozy Mystery Set in Chicago’s Most Luxurious Hotel
Orson, P.I.: Midnight at the Grand Hotel centers on a daring conspiracy to steal the priceless Midnight Diamond, currently displayed on the first floor of Chicago’s most prestigious hotel. Players take on the role of Orson, a cub detective and summer intern who goes undercover as a reporter to uncover the truth behind the looming heist.
Disguised as a journalist profiling the hotel’s elite guests, Orson conducts interviews, uncovers contradictions, and pieces together clues hidden behind polished smiles and glamorous reputations. Every conversation matters, pushing players to pay close attention and think like a true detective.
What to Expect From the Orson, P.I. Demo
The Orson, P.I. demo places players on the hotel’s second floor, home to the Fitzgerald Follies, the hotel’s in-house dance troupe. During the investigation, Orson encounters:
- The troupe’s demanding coach
- A veteran performer with years of experience
- A talented newcomer eager to prove herself
- The rebellious daughter of a Southern magnate, sent to Chicago after clashing with her family
- A weary chaperone struggling to keep her charge out of trouble
Each character comes with their own secrets, motivations, and inconsistencies—key elements players must analyze to uncover the truth.
Deduction Takes Center Stage in the Psyche Trial
After completing character profiles, players must determine which two of the five suspects are part of the conspiracy. This deduction phase unfolds inside the Psyche, a stylized visual representation of Orson’s thought process.
Inside the Psyche, players navigate a series of rooms where questions are displayed across the walls. Each room presents three doors, each representing a possible answer. Choose correctly to advance and eliminate innocent suspects. By the end of the gauntlet, only the true culprits remain.
This unique mechanic emphasizes logic, observation, and player choice—core pillars of Orson, P.I.’s mystery-driven gameplay.
Demo Length and Full Game Scope
The demo offers a minimum of 30 minutes of gameplay, with significantly longer playtime for players who explore every dialogue branch and optional interaction. It also includes the game’s opening cutscene and a guided tutorial to ease players into its mechanics.
The full version of Orson, P.I.: Midnight at the Grand Hotel will expand the story with five additional chapters, each longer and more complex than the chapter featured in the demo, promising a rich and layered mystery experience.
