Tips

Quick save frequently as the game can crash randomly, though it does not corrupt saves.

While the game encourages embracing failure, passing key checks (indicated by "make" in walkthroughs) is crucial for content and experience. Quick save before attempting these. Checks where success or failure doesn't matter are indicated by "attempt", and specific checks to fail are also called out.

Consumables (drugs and alcohol) are used by equipping them in a hand and pressing the corresponding action button (L3 or R3).

The game operates on a clock, with each day starting at 07:30 and ending at 02:00. Most NPCs become unavailable after 22:00. Time only passes during conversations, with each topic taking roughly 30 seconds. This allows for free exploration without time pressure, but productive use of waking hours is generally advised. Reading books or sitting on a bench are ways to skip time.

The game can be buggy. If something doesn't appear as expected, try quick saving and loading to resolve the issue.

Fast travel is available on day 3 once the entire map is open. You must be at one of the three fast travel points (outside Whirling-in-Rags, the Fishermen Shacks, or the church) and have purchased the map. The map is accessed from the quest page and can be buggy; switching to quests and back may fix selection issues.

Conceptualization is a highly valuable skill. Look for _Il Coppo del'Arte_ callouts to unlock a trophy and the _Actual Art Degree_ thought, which grants XP for Conceptualization passive skill checks. Other useful skills to level to 6 early on include Logic, Drama, Empathy, Authority, Physical Instrument, Hand/Eye Coordination, Interfacing, and Composure, with others raised to 4.

To have your tie talk to you, start the game with an Inland Empire skill of 4 or higher.

Pay attention to the walkthrough for upcoming checks and dress appropriately to gain bonuses.

Some white checks are essential for main quest progression. It is theoretically possible to lock yourself out by maxing out a skill and failing the check. Having a recent save is the easiest way to circumvent this.

Key essential skill checks include: Authority (17) to get Titus Hardie to talk, Rhetoric (17) to convince Titus he's being played, Logic (19) to present a convincing theory to Titus, and Shivers (21) to find the suspect's location.

Attempting and failing a check can unlock bonuses that reset the check, allowing another attempt.

The Platinum trophy requires planning and often involves metagaming. Two playthroughs on Hardcore difficulty are recommended due to mutually exclusive trophies, some of which are determined at the start of the game and require playing to the end.

Two walkthroughs are provided: a "good" one unlocking trophies like Goodest of the Good Cops and Recruit Detective Kim Kitsuragi, and a "bad" one unlocking trophies like Baddest of the Bad Cops and Massive Torque Dork.

Massive Torque Dork and Gluten-Free Topping Pie trophies require specific attribute and skill values, along with no better than average INT.

Other trophies can be unlocked during either playthrough, with guidance provided in the good walkthrough, except for the Truly Rabid "Traditionalist" trophy, which is associated with fascist choices.

The "Jamais Vu" update added new trophies, all covered in the good walkthrough.