The Butler Did It – The Steampunk Interactive Novel With a Twist You’ll Never See Coming
Table of Contents
Let me be honest with you. When I first heard the title “The Butler Did It,” I immediately thought of a classic whodunit murder mystery. You know the type. A grand manor. A dead body. A list of suspicious guests. And the butler, of course, standing there with a silver tray looking guilty.
But I was completely wrong. This game is not that at all.
“The Butler Did It” is actually a 300,000-word interactive novel published by Choice of Games, not a point-and-click detective game . It takes that classic cliche title and completely subverts it. You are not solving a murder. You are a street kid trying to survive in a brutal steampunk city, and your job offer from a mysterious butler leads you down a rabbit hole of conspiracy, madness, and maybe even spaceships.
Wait. Spaceships? In a steampunk game? Yes. And that is exactly where things get weird. In the best way possible .
Let me break down everything you need to know about this unique text-based adventure.
Quick Info Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Author | Daniel Elliot |
| Developer | Choice of Games |
| Release Date | May 9, 2024 |
| Genre | Interactive Fiction / Text-Based RPG / Steampunk |
| Platforms | PC (Steam, Epic), Android (Google Play), iOS |
| Word Count | 300,000 words |
| Game Length | Approximately 5-8 hours per playthrough |
| Languages | English only |
Note: There is also a 2005 game called “The Butler Did It!” — a classic point-and-click mystery set in the Swiss Alps . This article is about the 2024 interactive novel from Choice of Games. Two completely different games with confusingly similar names.
Detailed Game Description
The Premise – More Than a Murder Mystery
Let me set the scene for you.
Life in Port Terris is hard. Really hard. There is never enough food. Never enough work. And your friends keep getting snatched up by the Constables and their terrifying steam-powered robots . This is not a world for the weak.
You are a nobody. A street kid trying to survive. Your future looks bleak. Probably a long stay in the City Dungeons, if you are lucky.
Then, a miracle happens. The majordomo of a Great House offers you a job. A warm bed. All the food you can eat . It sounds too good to be true. And honestly? It is.
You take the job. You move into Coburg Manor. And that is when things start getting… weird.
The game description teases it perfectly: “It doesn’t take long to realize that things are a little bit off though, to say the least. At Coburg Manor, you’ll make friends, battle enemies, and uncover a mystery far deeper and stranger than you ever imagined” .
And here is the kicker. The description casually drops “Maybe end up on a spaceship?” . A spaceship. In a steampunk game. That is the level of subversion we are dealing with here.
This is not a murder mystery. This is an odyssey. A strange, beautiful, bizarre odyssey.
Gameplay – Your Choices, Your Story
Since this is an interactive novel, the gameplay is entirely text-based. There are no graphics, no sound effects, no flashy animations . Just words. And your imagination.
But do not let that simplicity fool you. The game is massive. 300,000 words is not a small number . That is roughly the length of three average novels combined. Your choices genuinely matter, and the branching paths are extensive.
Character Creation
Before your adventure begins, you create your character. The level of customization is impressive for a text-based game:
- Gender: Male, female, or nonbinary
- Sexuality: Gay, straight, bisexual, or asexual
- Combat Style: Wits, sword, or skill with steam
These choices are not just cosmetic. They affect dialogue options, how NPCs react to you, and even which paths through the story are available.
Choices and Consequences
Every major story beat presents you with multiple options. Your decisions affect:
- Which characters trust you (or betray you)
- Whether you solve problems through combat, diplomacy, or deception
- What secrets you uncover (and which ones you bury)
- The ending you receive
The game has been praised for its branching narrative. As a finalist in the Choice of Games writing contest, it represents some of the best interactive fiction available today .
The Setting – Steampunk With a Twist
The world of “The Butler Did It” is described as a “comedy of manners and mayhem with steampunk blasters” . That is a perfect summary.
Port Terris is a gritty, industrial city. The rich live in luxury. The poor struggle to survive. The Constables enforce the law with brutal robots. And somewhere in the background, a conspiracy is brewing.
The steampunk elements are not just aesthetic. Steam technology is central to the world. You can be skilled with steam, using it to fight enemies or solve problems . The robots are powered by steam. The machinery hums with it.
But then… the twist happens. I will not spoil it here. But the game description hints at “an odyssey in steampunk, with a twist you’ll never predict” . And the “maybe end up on a spaceship?” line suggests that this twist goes far beyond simple genre boundaries .
The Cast – A Diverse Group of Characters
Coburg Manor is full of interesting people. You will meet:
- Other servants: Your fellow employees at the Great House. Some will become friends. Others may not be what they seem.
- The upper crust: The wealthy guests and residents of the manor. They have their own agendas, their own secrets, and their own power.
- The Constables: Law enforcement agents with their terrifying steam-powered bots. They are always watching, always suspicious.
- The mysterious figures: People who operate in the shadows. Conspirators. Revolutionaries. And maybe something even stranger.
The game encourages you to get to know this diverse cast. “You might just find love” along the way . Romance is an option, with relationships developing based on your choices.
The Central Conflict – Madness or Salvation?
The game asks a haunting question: “Will you save your home from the strange apocalypse that its people don’t even suspect, or will you fall prey to madness, like so many of your friends?” .
This is the core tension. Something terrible is coming. Most people in Port Terris have no idea. But as you explore Coburg Manor and uncover its secrets, you will learn the truth. And the truth may drive you insane.
Madness is a real threat in this story. Friends have fallen to it. You might too. The line between saving the world and losing your mind is razor thin.
The “Spaceship” Question – No Spoilers, But…
Look, I am going to respect the mystery here. The game description explicitly teases “Maybe end up on a spaceship?” . That is not an accident. That is a promise.
A spaceship in a steampunk world. How does that work? Where does it come from? Is it real, or is it madness?
You will have to play to find out. But I will say this. The twist is earned. It is not random or nonsensical. It recontextualizes everything you thought you knew about the story.
Replayability – Endless Possibilities
One of the strengths of interactive fiction is replayability. “The Butler Did It” excels in this area.
- Different character builds: Play as a swordsman, a trickster, or a steam savant.
- Different relationship paths: Romance different characters. Betray different allies.
- Different moral choices: Expose the conspiracy or keep its secret . Save everyone or save yourself.
The 300,000-word script means that you will not see everything in one playthrough. Two playthroughs. Maybe three. Every time you play, you will discover something new.
The Two Games With the Same Name – Don’t Get Confused
Before we go further, let me clear up a major point of confusion. There are two completely different games with very similar names.
The 2024 Interactive Novel (this one):
- Published by Choice of Games
- Released May 2024
- Text-based, 300,000 words
- Steampunk conspiracy with a sci-fi twist
The 2005 Mystery Game (“The Butler Did It!” with an exclamation mark):
- Developed by an unknown studio
- Point-and-click detective adventure
- Set in a Swiss Alps hotel
- Gameplay lasts about 10 minutes per session
Do not mix them up. The 2005 game is a traditional “whodunit” where you play as French detective Jacques-Louis Barajean solving a murder . It has a time-limit factor and randomly generated scenarios for replayability . It is also much shorter and less narrative-driven.
This article is about the 2024 Choice of Games interactive novel. If you are looking for the classic point-and-click, that is a different experience entirely.
How Long Does It Take to Beat?
The Steam page does not give an exact playtime. But based on the 300,000 word count and typical reading speeds:
- First playthrough (careful reading): 8-10 hours
- Fast reading / skipping text: 5-6 hours
- Completionist (multiple paths): 20-30 hours
For the price (around ₹480 or $5.99 during sales), that is excellent value.
Platforms and Availability
“The Butler Did It” is available on:
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| PC | Steam, Epic Games Store |
| Android | Google Play Store |
| iOS | Apple App Store |
The game supports cloud saves across platforms. You can start playing on your PC and continue on your phone.
Note about language: The game is currently only available in English . If English is not your first language, be prepared for advanced vocabulary.
Price and Discounts
The game is regularly priced around ₹450-550 depending on your region. During Steam sales, it is often discounted. The Turkish Steam page shows a 35% discount during promotional periods .
Who Is This Game For?
Let me be direct with you.
Play “The Butler Did It” if:
- You love interactive fiction and choice-based games
- You enjoy rich, atmospheric storytelling
- You like steampunk settings with unexpected twists
- You appreciate diverse character options and romance paths
- You want a game that respects your choices and branches accordingly
Skip “The Butler Did It” if:
- You need graphics, sound effects, or voice acting
- You dislike reading large amounts of text
- You prefer fast-paced action games
- You are looking for a traditional murder mystery (the 2005 game might suit you better)
What is the System Requirement for The Butler Did It?
Now for the really good news. This is a text-based game. The system requirements are incredibly low.
Minimum System Requirements
According to the Steam page and PCGameBenchmark:
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 7 or later |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 or equivalent |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 GB |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce 510 or better |
| Storage | Unknown but likely under 1 GB |
macOS and Linux Requirements
The game is also available on macOS and Linux:
| Platform | Minimum OS |
|---|---|
| macOS | 10.13 or later |
| SteamOS + Linux | Ubuntu 20.04 or later |
Can Your PC Run The Butler Did It?
Yes. Almost certainly yes.
The game requires a 64-bit processor and operating system . But beyond that, the requirements are trivial. The Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 is a processor from 2008. The NVIDIA GeForce 510 is a basic graphics card from 2011.
If you have a computer made in the last 10 years, you can run this game. Even a basic laptop with integrated graphics will handle it without any issues.
The storage requirement is not officially listed, but given that it is a text-based game with no graphics or sound assets, the install size is likely under 500 MB.
Steam Deck Compatibility
The game is not officially Steam Deck Verified. But given the low system requirements and the fact that it is a text-based game, it will almost certainly run perfectly on the Deck. Some UI elements may be small, but the game should be playable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is “The Butler Did It” a murder mystery?
No. The title is intentionally misleading. While the game has mystery elements, it is actually a steampunk interactive novel about conspiracy, madness, and survival. The butler is involved, but it is not a classic whodunit .
2. Is this the same as the 2005 game “The Butler Did It!”?
No. The 2005 game (with an exclamation mark) is a point-and-click mystery set in the Swiss Alps. This is a 2024 text-based interactive novel from Choice of Games . Two completely different games.
3. How many words is the game?
300,000 words . That is roughly the length of three average novels.
4. Can I play as a female character?
Yes. You can play as male, female, or nonbinary. You can also choose your character’s sexuality (gay, straight, bisexual, or asexual) .
5. Is there romance in the game?
Yes. The description mentions “you just might find love” . Romance options are available and depend on your choices.
6. What is the “spaceship” twist?
That would be spoiling the surprise. Play the game and find out. The description teases it for a reason .
7. How long is the game?
A single playthrough takes 5-8 hours depending on your reading speed. Multiple playthroughs can take 20-30 hours to see all content.
8. Is the game available in other languages?
No. The game is currently only available in English .
9. What platforms is the game on?
PC (Steam, Epic), Android (Google Play), and iOS .
10. Can I play the game offline?
Yes. Once downloaded, no internet connection is required for the Steam or mobile versions.
11. Is there voice acting?
No. The game is entirely text-based, with no voice acting or sound effects .
12. Is the game worth buying?
If you enjoy interactive fiction, branching narratives, and steampunk settings, yes. The writing quality is high, the choices matter, and the twist is genuinely surprising. For the price (often under ₹500 during sales), it is excellent value.
13. Can my PC run this game?
Almost certainly yes. The minimum requirements are extremely low (Core 2 Duo, 4 GB RAM, basic graphics) . Any computer from the last 10 years will work.
14. How do I save my game?
The game auto-saves your progress at each choice point. You can also manually save at most points in the story.
15. Does the game have multiple endings?
Yes. Based on your choices throughout the game, you can reach different endings. The description mentions exposing the conspiracy or choosing to keep its secret as two possible paths .
Final Verdict – Should You Play The Butler Did It?
Let me be direct with you.
Buy this game if:
- You love interactive fiction and choice-based storytelling
- You appreciate well-written, atmospheric narratives
- You are intrigued by steampunk settings with unexpected sci-fi twists
- You want a game with genuine replayability
- You have a low-end PC that cannot run graphics-heavy games
Skip this game if:
- You need visual and audio feedback to stay engaged
- You dislike reading large amounts of text
- You are looking for a traditional point-and-click mystery
- You have aphantasia (inability to visualize) which would make a text-only experience difficult
“The Butler Did It” is a strange, beautiful, and deeply surprising game. It takes a familiar title and subverts every expectation. It is not a murder mystery. It is not a classic whodunit. It is something else entirely.
The writing is excellent. The choices matter. The twist is earned. And the replayability is substantial.
If you have played other Choice of Games titles like “Choice of Robots” or “Tin Star,” you know the quality to expect. If you are new to interactive fiction, this is a fantastic place to start.
Just do not go in expecting a traditional mystery. The butler did not do it. Or maybe he did. But not in the way you think.
The truth is much, much stranger.
