With the amount of moving parts, mechanics, and stuff to explore in the game, I feel a tip message system would help greatly just to help show what directions exist. Due to this game’s impressive lack of loading screens, I had the idea these tips could appear during the portions where you sit and pass the time with your watch. Would also give you something to do during the downtime
#Tips during passing time
summer sundial
south wasp
That would be so much better than lying in bed with just nothingness looking at me. Could have been learning the lore and stuff during that time.
sick merlin
Contextual tips could be cool! Depending on what type of case you currently have active, different tips could appear that give relevant advice. If no cases are active, lore drops or general musings would work well. It could totally be framed as the detective playing back the day in their head or otherwise dreaming
fluid totem
I also think a simple slot machine in a bar or craps game inclusion would be fun, and fitting in the noir setting