Melbourne-based studio Plot Twist has announced Ashes, a murder-mystery thriller set in regional Victoria that blends graphic novel storytelling with interactive gameplay, launching on Steam this April.
Ashes follows 16-year-old skater Azar Warren, who flees the city after witnessing a violent murder. Seeking refuge with her estranged grandfather on his isolated rural property, Azar soon begins to suspect that the man meant to protect her may be hiding secrets as dangerous as those chasing her.
Set against the eerie isolation of country Victoria, Ashes unfolds as a tense psychological mystery, exploring trust, family and survival. The story is told through hand-drawn graphic novel panels, interwoven with interactive puzzles that invite players to uncover hidden truths alongside its young protagonist.
"During Melbourne’s pandemic lockdowns, when most film and TV production was shut down, I started experimenting with interactive storytelling, a new obsession." Shared Plot Twist founder Cléa Frost. "Gathering a small team of talented, passionate collaborators, we tested mechanics and techniques before I landed on the concept and format of Ashes.
"Interactive fiction holds such opportunity to expand what we consider to be a game, as well as to explore stories, characters and worlds that we don’t usually get to see. Nothing I’ve done creatively has brought me more joy than Ashes, and I can’t wait for people to play it."
Ashes is launching on Steam Early Access in April. For more information, consider following Plot Twist on Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
ABOUT ASHES
Ashes is an interactive visual novel set in Victoria, Australia, that follows Azar Warren, a 16-year-old skater hiding out at her estranged grandfather’s rural compound after witnessing a gruesome murder.
Blending graphic novel panels with interactive puzzles, Ashes sees Azar fight not only to keep herself safe but also to reveal dark truths about people she thought she could trust.
A Story of Murder and Suspense
While hiding from those determined to silence her, Azar takes refuge at her estranged grandfather’s property. However, his strange behaviour soon leads her to suspect Stan is harbouring terrible secrets of his own.
Puzzle Solving
Ashes blends visual novel elements with mini-game puzzles that engage with the world.
From piecing together torn-up photos to cracking the code for a mysterious lockbox to firing a rifle at a homemade shooting range, Azar will need her wits about her as threats lurk in the shadows.
An Interactive Graphic Novel
With a dynamic graphic novel visual style, the hand-crafted artwork captures the magnitude of Azar’s story with a gritty depiction of Victoria, Australia.
About Plot Twist
Founded in 2018 by Cléa Frost, Plot Twist is a Melbourne-based production company specialising in narrative-focussed content for emerging screen media, including podcasts, games and text-based interactive fiction.
Creator Bio
A VCA graduate, Cléa Frost has worked in Australia, Asia and the U.S. as a producer, game developer, writer, script editor and development executive. As Development Executive for Werner Film Productions (WFP), she oversaw development of series for Netflix, Amazon, ABC, ABCMe and Stan, including THE NEWSREADER SERIES 2, SURVIVING SUMMER SERIES 2 and CRAZY FUN PARK. Under her Plot Twist label, Cléa produced the 2019 feature A FAMILY (MIFF, Slamdance, Tallin), the Signal Award-winning audio drama, HOVERING, and acclaimed short, THE VISITOR. Cléa is currently in production on Screen Australia-supported narrative game, ASHES, (releasing 2026) and in development on Screen Australia-supported drama feature ZAHAVA. To expand her narrative horizons, Cléa is also working on a series of branching novels, in addition to her slate of narrative games, TV series and horror features.