Debuting back in 2017, The Invisible Hours was a critically acclaimed VR title for PC VR, Meta Quest and PlayStation VR. Later, a non-VR edition was released, bringing the game to even more audiences. However, the demise of developer Tequila Works in 2024 was thought to have been the final nail in the coffin for any potential sequel. That is until now, as the writer of the original game has acquired the rights to the IP.
The Invisible Hours
Set in the late 19th century, The Invisible Hours is a VR murder mystery game. The story begins with the murder of famed inventor Nikola Tesla, who had invited a group of strangers to his remote island estate. As the player, you are an invisible observer. You’re able to move freely through the mansion and watch events unfold in real time. The objective being to determine who committed the crime.
You’ll meet plenty of characters along the way, each with their own secrets and motivations. The narrative was designed to be non-linear, encouraging you to piece together the truth by observing different storylines from various perspectives.
Gameplay in The Invisible Hours is unique in that there are no puzzles or traditional interactions. Instead, the core mechanic involves exploring the environment and rewinding or fast-forwarding time to follow specific characters. You can teleport to different rooms and decide which events to watch, allowing you to reconstruct the timeline of the murder. This immersive storytelling approach places emphasis on discovery and deduction, rewarding players who take the time to observe every nuance of the plot.
Tequila Works
Tequila Works was a studio with some significant titles under their belt. They debuted with the atmospheric survival‑horror title Deadlight in 2012. The studio then self-published the critically acclaimed puzzle-adventure RiME in 2017. That same year, they partnered with Cavalier Game Studios on the acclaimed time-loop mystery The Sexy Brutale, and of course The Invisible Hours.
Despite earning praise for its creative focus, the studio faced financial challenges under “prolonged market conditions.” Sadly, the studio closed in early 2025, and auctioned off its IP portfolio.
Rob Yescombe
The original co-creator, writer and narrative director of the game, Rob Yescombe, has acquired the rights to The Invisible Hours. Though not confirmed, presumably through above said auction. Yescombe is the screenwriter behind Outside The Wire, starring Anthony Mackie & Damon Idris, and Jackpot! starring John Cena, Awkwafina & Simu Li.
Yescombe said, “I adored making The Invisible Hours. Truly, the best creative experience of my life. Fans still reach out to me, even after all this time – they love it as much as I do. The VR hardware market has grown massively since 2017 – multiple millions of units – making The Invisible Hours a prime candidate to remaster for a new generation.“
So, The Invisible Hours 2, then?
Well, maybe. As part of his announcement that he has acquired the rights, Yescombe stated that he is seeking partners for a remaster and screen adaptation. So there’s potential, but we’re still a long way off. The Invisible Hours was well received at launch, so hopefully we’ll hear more about a potential remaster or sequel in the near future.
Are you a fan of the original release? Would you be interested in a remaster? Let us know in the comments below!
