Ether Void

New York City, the 1990s. Step into the shoes of Detective Frank Miller, a seasoned, world-weary cop facing one of the toughest investigations of his career. A brutal murder shakes the city, and a seemingly straightforward case quickly unravels into a complex web of intrigue, lies, and hidden motives, reaching into the dark heart of the metropolis. In this concrete and neon jungle, where every shadow can hide a clue or deadly danger, your main tool won't be a gun, but an aging computer terminal running the XardiOS system. As Detective Miller, your daily task will be the meticulous analysis of gathered information and evidence. Dive into digital archives, reviewing detailed police reports, witness interrogation transcripts, and files from long-forgotten cases that might shed new light on current events. Use the terminal's command line to access police databases, verify alibis, check registries, and search records for connections. Send and receive messages via the system's mail client, communicating with other characters – from colleagues and superiors to anonymous informants, and perhaps even a mysterious hacker who might unexpectedly offer help... or set another trap. The game emphasizes narrative, deduction, and the atmosphere of classic film noir, transposed to the dawn of the digital age. Connect facts, analyze conflicting testimonies, and break simple ciphers and access codes to uncover further pieces of the puzzle. Every decision you make and every piece of information you uncover can be significant. But remember – not everyone in this city wants you to find the truth, and those with something to hide will stop at nothing to keep you from it. Can you solve the murder mystery before you become another victim of the system you're trying to penetrate?

Detective Frank Miller is an old-school cop for whom the rain-slicked, neon-lit streets of 90s New York hold few secrets – or so he thought. Hardened by years on the force, with more than a few tough cases in his portfolio, he approaches each new murder with a mix of cynicism and an undying determination. In a world slowly entering the digital age, his street smarts and pavement-pounding experience must contend with a new kind of investigation. Though his gut tells him to trust people (or rather, not to trust them), Miller knows that the crucial clues in this case might just as well be hidden in encrypted files and system logs, which he analyzes on his aging terminal. It's there, in the cool glow of the monitor, that he seeks the answers the city so carefully tries to hide from him.

New York City in the nineties – a metropolis of contrasts, pulsating with relentless energy and hiding countless secrets beneath its glittering surface. Manhattan's skyscrapers seemed to pierce the clouds, casting long, geometric shadows onto the bustling streets where yellow cabs tirelessly roamed. The glow of neon signs from storefronts, bars, and theaters mingled with the twilight of side alleys, and rainy nights turned the asphalt into a mirrored sheet reflecting the city lights. Steam rose from subway grates, adding to the atmosphere of mystery and urban clamor. This was a city in transformation, on the cusp of the digital revolution. Although computers and networks were only just beginning to weave through the urban fabric, their presence was increasingly felt, creating new opportunities but also new, uncharted paths for crime. Beneath the facade of glamour and success, in less-frequented districts and forgotten corners, another life unfolded – full of quiet deals, unfulfilled dreams, and matters best left unspoken. It was in this world that Detective Frank Miller moved, where any anonymous passerby could be a witness, and every shadow a potential threat.