🕵※ PV Decode #3 – Even a single video is packed with clues—from art style and props to UI and combat snippets—that hint at the game’s direction. DECODE is a segment where we break down these videos frame-by-frame to uncover hidden intentions and references.
‘Silver Palace,’ another next-generation open world RPG, has released a new PV ahead of its second test. While a trailer was previously unveiled during the tester recruitment phase last June, that video focused more on signaling the upcoming second test by showcasing action from the perspective of the male detective, rather than revealing substantial new information.
The latest PV, however, highlights significant improvements made since the first test. The game’s vision—aiming to balance open world exploration, mystery adventure, and action RPG elements—is becoming increasingly concrete. By examining this 2-minute and 50-second PV, we aim to deduce what kind of experience the second test will offer.
From Interrogations to Autopsies: A More Robust Mystery Experience
The biggest differentiator between Silver Palace and other open world RPGs is its commitment to being a full-fledged mystery adventure where the protagonist is a detective. The main story of the previous CBT followed a detective who returned to Sylvania to investigate the death of a journalist who had been obsessively covering them. Players responded positively to the authentic mystery elements, such as finding clues, entering a ‘mental world’ to reconstruct crime scenes, and logically piecing together evidence.
In this upcoming test, the game seems set to deepen the immersion of its mystery adventure by shifting from a solo detective focus to a dynamic where various experts play key roles. We can see Supervisor Rex—who was notoriously rude and obstructive during the first CBT—appearing as a playable character. There is also a scene where another female character in uniform interrogates a suspicious man while holding a profile file. Previously, the atmosphere was one of caution, with police officers other than Inspector Lolle keeping their distance, limiting the scope of investigation. Now, it appears we will be able to delve much deeper into cases to enjoy the true ‘flavor’ of investigation.
Furthermore, ‘autopsies’—a staple of the mystery genre—are now prominent. While the forensic specialist Perso appeared early on, the focus had previously been on combat. This PV shows Perso performing an actual autopsy with tools like forceps. While the game likely won’t depict these scenes with graphic realism, seeing these quintessential mystery elements being fleshed out is exciting. The game is detailing processes that are usually summarized or skipped over, such as sneaking around to photograph targets or gathering clues without being detected. It will be interesting to see how far they take these details to successfully implement an immersive mystery story.
A Unique Worldview Reinterpreting Classical Beauty
Beyond the mystery adventure aspect, another defining feature of Silver Palace is its distinct Victorian-style world. The antique buildings and well-maintained roads possess an elegance reminiscent of cities on postcards you might impulsively buy while traveling in Europe. The natural integration of time and weather changes makes it feel as though you are truly walking through that vintage city.
The sight of Pegasus flying overhead, along with massive airships and creatures of similar scale, feels like something out of a fairy tale. Given that the game already draws heavily from motifs like ‘Cinderella’ and features fantastical enemies like werewolves and candle-men, these elements feel right at home.
While the visuals are the most striking difference, the game also differentiates itself through details in music and other elements. Whether using original or rearranged versions of familiar classical pieces—such as Handel’s ‘Alla Hornpipe’ from Water Music, Vivaldi’s ‘Summer’ from The Four Seasons, or the third movement of Beethoven’s ‘Tempest’ Sonata—the BGM was already highly polished during the first test, blending seamlessly into the atmosphere.
This PV was equally effective in building anticipation. The opening, which transitions from a piano arrangement of ‘Habanera’ from Bizet’s opera ‘Carmen’ to ‘Vieni, o guerriero vindice’ from Verdi’s ‘Aida,’ perfectly balanced classical beauty with familiarity. The subsequent BGM maintained that classical mood while adjusting the tempo to match the tension of daily activities and combat.
The streets, architecture, story structure, and character designs all align with this atmosphere. The provocative poses and dance of the ‘Red Rose’ character, set to music from ‘Carmen’—the quintessential femme fatale opera—felt like a metaphor for the secrets and dangers she hides. In fact, the Red Rose has consistently appeared to the detective to provide warnings about danger while seemingly enjoying the situation. Her enigmatic monologue following the dance, combined with glimpses of the detective’s daily life and combat, further deepened the immersion.
Of course, this isn’t a 100% faithful recreation of the classical era. Beyond the flying Pegasus, the character designs also take liberties; in that era, women exposing their bare legs was considered scandalous. While the protagonist and new characters generally have short skirts, they use the compromise of wearing stockings to ensure their legs aren’t bare.
Beyond character design, other elements evoke the classic feel of the modern Western world. Driving classic cars through the city, riding buses and other public transport that were just beginning to appear at the time, or securing quick cash at a pawn shop—all these details offer a glimpse into the sentiment of that period.
The inclusion of mini-games is also impressive, with ‘Bridge’ chosen alongside the standard chess. Though overshadowed by poker and other games today, Bridge was a popular card game among the upper class from its 16th-century origins as ‘Whist’ until before World War II. It is a staple in works set in that era and a recurring element in mystery fiction, including Agatha Christie’s ‘Cards on the Table.’
Because it requires four players, it has been pushed aside by games with fewer constraints, and is now mostly recognized as a game recommended by the likes of Bill Gates or Warren Buffett. While there are clubs in Korea, it is less well-known than Mahjong. Although the video doesn’t explicitly name it ‘Bridge,’ the rules—four players divided into two teams, the heart suit being trump, the highest card taking the point, and the ‘dummy’ hand—were all visible in those brief moments. If this game is truly playable in the next test, it will be a great opportunity to savor that classic flavor.
‘Silver Palace’: Adding Impact and Immersion with Dynamic Direction
While Silver Palace has primarily garnered attention for its mystery elements and unique Victorian-style world, sustaining interest requires the impact of combat and story direction. As a live-service open world game, combat is key. The PV delivers on this front as well, showcasing scenes of parrying and skill combos to suppress enemies, consistent with the first playtest footage.
The ultimate skill cutscenes, now featuring flashier effects and more complex sequences, are particularly notable. Previous trailers were impactful but restrained, focusing effects only on the moment of impact. While that can be an aesthetic choice, the first trailer suffered from frame drops, so it was hard to be sure. Some characters who disappeared after the first trailer have returned in this PV, and with the game showing both restrained and flashy ultimate skills, it is likely that optimization has improved significantly.
Some might worry that the direction will be buried under flashy effects, but that concern seems unfounded. Just as the skill animations aren’t cluttered with excessive effects, the story direction relies on character placement, composition, and camera angles to enhance immersion rather than just visual flair.
The use of first-person perspective is particularly effective. The showcase video features scenes where the detective siblings face various hardships, using a first-person view to heighten the tension. Examples include the brother aiming a revolver through a door crack to help his sister, the sister struggling in mid-air to save her falling brother, or being ambushed and dragged away by organization members in an alleyway.
Beyond the first-person scenes, the dramatic staging of various hardships—such as a companion being kidnapped or having to break a window to escape when force cannot be used—is another key to immersion. In most subculture open world games, the protagonist is the strongest or near-strongest entity, but the ‘detective’ here is in a different situation. This suggests a narrative that differs from other open world games where everyone is cooperative or the protagonist clashes head-on with enemies from the start.
Furthermore, unlike previous appearances where the detective siblings were shown separately, this PV shows them together, signaling an intent to fully deliver the story of Silver Palace to users. In games where you choose one gender, the sibling dynamic naturally raises questions: what happened to them, why is one playable while the other is a NPC, and what will happen to them next? This PV signals that the game is ready to answer those questions.
‘Silver Palace,’ which captivated many with its surprise reveal last year, is once again drawing attention with a trailer that leaves viewers with much to ponder ahead of its second test. As the seeds of a next-generation open world are already visible, I look forward to seeing how these elements have been refined in the upcoming test.
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