Overview
Missing Pieces concerns the player solving a centuries-old mystery within a giant museum. As players roam through this wide open space, they come across clues and hints as to a sinister, overarching mystery. Presented from a first person perspectives, players take control of a guest trapped in the museum after closing, and what begins as an attempt to get out spirals out of control as events unfold. The key mechanic of this game hinges on the earlier visit that the player paid to the museum - which forms the prologue of the game.
Core Mechanics
Because the game is presented in a museum, there are a large amount of exhibits containing clues and information regarding the mystery. Players have to analyse exhibits, determining what is different with the exhibit since the last time they viewed it. Players are able to access these 'memories' by looking at images they took as well as their own memory of the exhibit. Some changes will be minor, while other changes (such as a moved component or new writing) are quite noticeable.
Narrative
Because Missing Pieces is hugely narratively focused, it relies on an interesting and deep narrative to carry the game. Players have to balance their knowledge of the environments and story thus far with what they are continually encountering. The player's knowledge forms a key component of the narrative - as players collect notes and information, they are able to form a more complete picture of how the story will progress. However, players may also use things they notice as hints, following trails for more information. These trails may be more obscure or harder to notice than other pieces of information.
Players keep information in a notebook similar to L.A. Noire.
