In a dev stream showing gameplay of the demo, one of the developers (Adam, I believe) referred to Mermaid Mask as something like "an artist['s] game", and I think that's the best summation there could be for it. The soundtrack, dramatic performances, script, visuals—there is SO much artistry and passion for the various crafts on display here. Not only are the smallest details paid attention to, but some actually matter in the story itself. The creators' enthusiasm for what they have created is so apparent that sometimes the characters themselves can't resist pointing out the apparent poetic meaning of an object or something of the kind.
On the detailwork, something I appreciate about the Grimoire series (and SFB games in general) is that there are background elements that are totally optional to investigate, but unlike in many other detective game series, rather that solely dressing they often provide hints at other details of the world. A lot of the dialogue is very funny, sure, but it creates such a feeling of discovery to be able to sniff out a detail that solves or implies something about some trivial question on the side. It's also dearly appreciated that if you present a clue that's technically correct but jumping the gun a bit, rather than just marking it "wrong" the characters will assure you that it will be used in due time. It doesn't particularly matter in that there's no scoring, but it feels satisfying as a player to be recognized for having a solid thought process, even if you aren't saying exactly what the game wants you to.
I'd have to marinate on whether I prefer this to Tangle Tower, but the mystery solving is FAR more engaging. There are more puzzles (yay!!!), more clues, and genuinely challenging lines of logic to follow, or at least they average much more challenging than Tangle Tower's. Every character's "suspicion" confrontation feels so much more involved, and pretty much every character makes a compelling suspect and has their own relevant baggage to bring to the table.
Unusually for a detective game but true to form for Grimoire, some non-murder-case details are left unexplained, to varying degrees; sometimes it's pretty inferable, sometimes it's simply open. If you expect your mystery games to explain everything, this may be daunting for you (as it was for me initially). However, if you are an artist of any shape, sort, or form, HIGHLY recommend all the same. You just may find your perspective changed.
