Ghosts of Miami

Ghosts of Miami is a detective visual novel set in Miami during the height of the 1986 cocaine epidemic. Players assume the role of Chelo Martínez, a new private investigator determined to find missing persons who slip through the cracks of an overtasked police force. The game features five original cases, including the personal mystery of Chelo’s own father who disappeared ten years prior. Players navigate beaches and back alleys, choosing where to investigate, how to handle witnesses, and who to call for backup, all while exploring romantic possibilities with five diverse love interests.

Ghosts of Miami: A Neon-Soaked Ode to the Lost and Forgotten

In the sprawling, sun-bleached landscape of visual novels, few titles dare to blend the gritty realism of a detective procedural with the heartfelt vulnerability of a romance, all while cloaking itself in the vibrant, synth-heavy aesthetic of 1980s Miami. Ghosts of Miami, developed by the indie studio Pillow Fight, is one such ambitious endeavor—a game that aims to be both a love letter to a tumultuous era and a poignant exploration of the people who slipped through its cracks.

Introduction: Beneath the Neon Glow

Ghosts of Miami is not merely a game; it is a time capsule. Released in 2017, it arrived at a time when the indie scene was flourishing with narrative-driven experiences, yet few dared to tackle the complex socio-political landscape of 1980s America through the lens of a visual novel. At its core, the game is a story about Consuelo “Chelo” Martínez, a young Cuban-American private investigator navigating the dangerous, drug-infested streets of Miami in 1986. But beneath its bright, anime-inspired exterior lies a narrative that grapples with themes of immigration, LGBTQ+ identity, and systemic neglect. This review will argue that while Ghosts of Miami is a flawed gem—hampered by mechanical missteps and a sometimes-uneven blend of genres—it remains a significant and heartfelt contribution to the visual novel genre, celebrated for its diverse representation, atmospheric depth, and unflinching commitment to telling stories that matter.

Development History & Context: A Labor of Love

Pillow Fight LLC, the developer behind Ghosts of Miami, is a small indie studio known for its commitment to inclusive storytelling, with previous titles like Hustle Cat and Heaven Will Be Mine also exploring LGBTQ+ themes. The game was spearheaded by Jo Kreyling (credited as Jo Fu), who served as writer and producer, and Conrad Kreyling, the creative and tech lead. The team was rounded out by artists Cassie Freire and Iasmin Omar Ata, UX artist and programmer Kim Nguyen, and composer Casey Yates, with additional story consulting from Ryan Murphy and Stella Ramirez.

Built in the Unity engine, Ghosts of Miami was clearly a passion project, developed with a keen eye for historical accuracy and cultural sensitivity. The game was released on April 19, 2017, for Windows, Linux, and Mac, and was later made available on Steam and itch.io. At the time of its release, the gaming landscape was increasingly welcoming to indie visual novels, but few tackled the detective genre with such a strong emphasis on character-driven narrative and social commentary. The game’s development was likely constrained by budget and scope, evident in its reliance on traditional visual novel mechanics rather than more interactive adventure elements. Yet, this limitation did not deter the team from aiming high, incorporating multiple language options (English, Spanish, and Traditional Chinese) and accessibility features like screenreading technology and gamepad support.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive: Stories from the Shadows

Set against the backdrop of a Miami grappling with the cocaine epidemic, the AIDS crisis, and a flood of undocumented immigrants, Ghosts of Miami follows Chelo Martínez as she takes on five missing persons cases, including the decade-old disappearance of her own father. The narrative is structured into distinct cases, each serving as a chapter in Chelo’s journey, and collectively weaving a tapestry of a city in crisis.

The Protagonist and Her World: Chelo is a remarkably well-drawn protagonist—headstrong, vulnerable, and deeply relatable. As a young woman of color operating in a male-dominated field, her struggles feel authentic. Her Cuban-American heritage is not merely a backdrop but integral to her identity, influencing her interactions and perspectives. The game’s supporting cast is equally diverse and nuanced. The five romance options—Lucianna “Luci” Escobar (Chelo’s childhood friend with ties to a morally gray family), Janet (a drag king performer), Ethan (a kind-hearted EMT), Richard (a mysterious older businessman), and Tala (a young fan of Chelo’s former band)—are not just love interests but fully realized characters with their own motivations and arcs. Their diversity—in ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation—is a testament to Pillow Fight’s commitment to representation.

Themes and Social Commentary: The game fearlessly tackles heavy themes. Cases often involve drug addiction, domestic abuse, homophobia, and the plight of immigrants, reflecting the harsh realities of the era. For instance, one case might explore the struggles of a gay man navigating a hostile society, while another delves into the exploitation of undocumented workers. This unflinching approach gives the narrative a weight that contrasts sharply with its colorful aesthetic, creating a compelling dissonance that underscores the game’s central thesis: beneath the glamour of 1980s Miami lay countless stories of pain and resilience.

Narrative Strengths and Weaknesses: The writing is generally strong, with dialogue that feels period-appropriate and characters that resonate. However, the blending of detective procedural and romance elements sometimes feels uneven. As noted in reviews, the romance routes can feel underserved, often taking a backseat to the main investigations. Additionally, the game’s final case—which ties into Chelo’s personal history—is locked behind specific conditions, requiring players to have built enough affection points with certain characters or made correct choices in previous cases. This can lead to frustration, especially given the lack of a robust save system or dialogue skip feature to ease replayability.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems: The Detective’s Toolkit

Ghosts of Miami operates within the standard framework of a visual novel, with player choice driving the narrative. However, it incorporates elements of detective games, requiring players to manage their time, gather clues, and make critical decisions.

Core Gameplay Loop: Each case unfolds over several in-game days. Players must choose how to spend Chelo’s time—visiting locations like beaches, clubs, or hospitals to interview witnesses, gather clues, or pursue romantic subplots. This time-management aspect adds a layer of strategy, as focusing too much on romance can lead to missed clues, and vice versa.

Investigation and Decision-Making: The game provides a casebook to track clues and contacts, but the investigative process is more conversational than interactive. Unlike games like Ace Attorney or Hotel Dusk, there are no crime scene examinations or puzzle-solving sequences. Instead, investigations are conducted entirely through dialogue choices. This approach keeps the focus on narrative but may disappoint players seeking more hands-on detective work.

Flaws and Frustrations: The game’s most significant mechanical shortcomings lie in its save system and replayability. It features a single autosave slot, which automatically saves upon quitting. This, combined with the inability to skip previously read text (without a fast-forward button that doesn’t distinguish between seen and unseen dialogue), makes replaying cases to explore different paths a tedious endeavor. Furthermore, the consequences of choices can feel ambiguous. As one reviewer noted, it’s possible to “solve” a case in the narrative sense while the game still marks it as “unsolved,” leading to confusion.

UI and Accessibility: The user interface is clean and functional, with a retro-inspired design that fits the 1980s theme. The inclusion of accessibility options like text-to-speech and gamepad support is commendable, though the lack of text speed control or a proper skip feature remains a notable omission.

World-Building, Art & Sound: A Synth-Washed Dream

Ghosts of Miami excels in its audiovisual presentation, creating an immersive and evocative portrayal of 1980s Miami.

Art Direction: The art style, led by Cassie Freire and Iasmin Omar Ata, is a standout feature. Character sprites are drawn in a vibrant, anime-inspired style reminiscent of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s work (Scott Pilgrim) or the diverse cast of Steven Universe. The backgrounds are awash in neon colors and pastel hues, capturing the sun-drenched, sometimes surreal atmosphere of Miami. The contrast between this bright aesthetic and the game’s darker themes creates a powerful visual metaphor for the era’s hidden struggles.

Sound Design: The soundtrack, composed by Casey Yates, is a synth-heavy homage to 1980s cop dramas and pop culture. The upbeat, energetic tracks perfectly complement the game’s setting, while more somber pieces underscore its emotional weight. The animated opening sequence, set to a pulsating synth track, effectively sets the tone, evoking the feel of a vintage TV show intro.

Atmosphere: The world feels alive and meticulously researched. References to real-world events—like the Reagan administration’s policies or the rise of drug cartels—ground the narrative in historical context. The attention to detail in depicting Miami’s cultural mosaic, from its Cuban communities to its LGBTQ+ spaces, adds depth and authenticity.

Reception & Legacy: A Cult Classic in the Making

Upon release, Ghosts of Miami received a mixed but generally positive reception from critics and players alike.

Critical Reception: Reviews praised the game’s diverse representation, compelling narrative, and vibrant art style. TechRaptor’s Robert N. Adams awarded it a 7/10, highlighting its “compelling story and challenging cases” while critiquing its mechanical flaws. Operation Rainfall’s review similarly commended its thematic depth but noted frustrations with the save system and lack of text skipping. On Steam, the game maintains a “Very Positive” rating based on 63 reviews, with players celebrating its inclusivity and emotional resonance.

Commercial Performance: While exact sales figures are unavailable, the game’s presence on platforms like Steam and itch.io, coupled with its low price point (often discounted to $0.98), suggests it found a niche audience. It was not a blockbuster but likely performed adequately for an indie title of its scope.

Legacy and Influence: Ghosts of Miami may not have revolutionized the genre, but it contributed to the growing acceptance of visual novels that tackle serious social issues. Its unapologetic focus on LGBTQ+ and immigrant stories paved the way for other inclusive titles. It remains a cult favorite among fans of narrative-driven games, remembered for its ambitious blend of romance and detective elements set against a richly realized historical backdrop.

Conclusion: The Case for Remembering

Ghosts of Miami is a game of contrasts—bright colors against dark themes, personal stories against a backdrop of societal decay, ambitious ideas against technical limitations. It is not a perfect game; its mechanical flaws, particularly in save management and replayability, can frustrate. Yet, its heart is in the right place. Through Chelo Martínez, Pillow Fight has given us a protagonist who is not just solving cases but navigating her own identity in a world that often overlooks people like her.

The game’s greatest strength lies in its commitment to telling stories that matter—stories of the marginalized, the forgotten, the “ghosts” of its title. It is a love letter to 1980s Miami that doesn’t shy away from the era’s complexities, and a testament to the power of indie development to explore niches that larger studios often ignore.

In the annals of video game history, Ghosts of Miami may not be remembered as a groundbreaking technical achievement, but as a heartfelt, socially conscious narrative that dared to ask players to look beyond the neon and see the humanity beneath. For that, it deserves a place in the pantheon of notable visual novels—a flawed but unforgettable journey into the sun-soaked shadows of the past.

Final Verdict: Ghosts of Miami is a recommended play for fans of narrative-driven games, especially those interested in LGBTQ+ representation, historical settings, and character-rich stories. Approach it with patience for its quirks, and you’ll find a experience that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant.