Silver Palace Blends Victorian Detective Drama with Action RPG Combat

Victorian-era detective stories and action RPGs might seem like an unlikely pairing, but Singapore-based developer Studio Elementa is making a compelling case with Silver Palace (白銀の城). Built on Unreal Engine 5, this open-world adventure has already captured the attention of over 4 million players who pre-registered ahead of its first closed beta test.

The game takes place in Silvania, a city celebrating its queen's coronation when a mysterious mass-burning incident throws everything into chaos. Players take on the role of a detective who must unravel the mystery while pursuing a personal vendetta connected to a "flying ship incident" from three years prior.

Mind Palace Investigations

Silver Palace's detective mechanics go beyond simple point-and-click investigation. The game features an observation mode that lets players examine crime scenes in detail, eavesdrop on conversations, and identify crucial evidence. The real standout is the Mind Palace system, which reconstructs crime scenes from fragmented evidence in full 3D visualization.

One particularly interesting mechanic involves monster detection. Players must identify humans who have disguised themselves as creatures like werewolves and harpies by carefully observing physical details. It's the kind of system that rewards attention to detail and patience.

Parry-Based Combat

When investigations turn violent, Silver Palace shifts into a timing-based combat system built around parrying. Successful parries accumulate an enemy's stun gauge, eventually enabling devastating "fatal strikes" that deal massive damage. The system supports parties of up to four characters, and swapping between them triggers "ambush attacks" for additional tactical depth.

Traversal across Silvania's Victorian streets involves hook-based movement, horse riding with gliding mechanics, and a fast travel system for covering larger distances quickly.

A Colorful Cast

Players can choose between a female or male detective protagonist. The supporting cast includes Lauren the police superintendent, Fen (a maid who wields a flamethrower), Argus the bartender, Faso the doctor, Red Rose an information broker who moonlights as a dancer, and Ashley who serves as your assistant.

The first closed beta test, called the "Identity Law Test," ran from January 13-18, 2026. With over 4 million pre-registrations already secured, Silver Palace is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing action RPGs on the horizon.

Game Information