Renoir is a story-driven 2.5D puzzle platformer that draws a deep drag of inspiration from film noir genre — the classic Hollywood crime dramas from the 1940s and 50s.

James Renoir was a police officer, serving in the main precinct in a metropolis rotten with crime and violence. The influence of the mafia families had even spread through the corridors of city hall like poisonous weeds, all the way to the highest levels of political power. The police, paralyzed by the city’s corrupt government, were powerless to do anything about it – mere toys in the hands of the true power.

However, with a new, young and aspiring politician in city hall, things take a turn for the better and Renoir is promoted to Detective for his effort in the fight against crime. With his new-found access to better classes of society, he eventually meets the woman of his dreams.

But just as everything seems to be heading in the right direction, two shots ring out, turning his world upside-down. Solving this case is now the only thing that matters to him, because as he sits with his back against a cold gravestone, he realizes that the body six feet down is his own...

Now a ghost, Renoir possesses a unique ability that allows him to control phantoms around him and use them to solve environmental puzzles. Seeking justice from the shadows, he must tread carefully and avoid light at all costs. James’s ghostly form must backtrack over his last steps in the world of the living, recollecting his memories and searching for the clues that will lead him back to his murderer.

In 2015 Soulbound Games launched a kickstarter campaign for Renoir, which it then canceled when it became obvious they would not meet their goal (£39,000/$$61,279). Since then it has been quiet surrounding the development but today 1C Company announced that it has acquired Renoir from Soulbound Games, and moved the development over to Black Wing Foundation.

Initially planned for PS4, Xbox One, and PC, it would seem Renoir is now only scheduled for PC, which also moved up the release date from early 2017 to Nov. 2016.

Following the switch of the developer, Renoir faced some considerable changes in:

• Level Design
• Core features
• The Story
• Graphics
• In-game trailers

Level Design:

All puzzles in the initial project were planned to take place not indoor, but in the open areas – parks, streets, city outskirts (outdoor). The concept was amended and now all locations have both out- and indoor puzzles, but more of the latter. They are located in important locations, namely Cemetery, City Council, Precinct, and Monument. The only location with more outdoor puzzles is the Cemetery. But owing to the effects and the use of 3D objects, now it looks completely different compared to the original design of the locations.

Before

Now

In-gametrailers:

The original plan was to use CG trailers, now we have changed them with comics-style cinematics to underline the noire atmosphere.

More updates to come soon ...

Before

Now

Renoir stays true to the film noir classic, featuring all the important ingredients of a gloomy story, a cynical detective, murder, and of course, a femme fatale. Not only that, but the game’s pure black and white visuals provide just the right backdrop for lurking in the shadows – as a ghost, Renoir can’t enter lighted areas. He must use phantoms around him to help him solve the case and finally confront his murderer face to face…

• Black and white detective story powered by Unreal Engine 4
• Puzzle platforming action, inspired by Hollywood noir movies
• Control phantoms and use them to solve environmental puzzles
• A murder mystery, narrated through atmospheric comicbook-style movies