WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins, available now.
The Doctor Who franchise, which already covers television, comics, audio books and novels, continues to grow with the release of Maze Theory's Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins. A "found-phone" adventure game for mobile devices and PC, The Lonely Assassins essentially works as a direct sequel to the fan-favorite 2007 episode, "Blink." In the game, players embody an unnamed individual who finds a phone that used to belong to Larry Nightingale, and they take part in an investigation alongside UNIT's very own Petronella Osgood.
The Lonely Assassins is immersed in the world of Doctor Who -- so much so that it features the return of several familiar faces. However, the game's biggest surprise arrives at the very end, when Jodie Whittaker's Thirteenth Doctor makes a welcome appearance.
While much of The Lonely Assassins is played through text exchanges between Osgood and the player, it also features the live-action return of several Doctor Who characters. Indeed, Petronella Osgood isn't just involved through text messages. Actor Ingrid Oliver, who played UNIT agent Osgood throughout Doctor Who Seasons 7, 8 and 9, returns not just through audio recordings, but in video footage filmed just for the game. The case is also the same for Finlay Robertson, who played Larry Nightingale in the Season 3 episode, "Blink." In the game, Robertson reprises his role in photographs, audio journals, and video footage.
What's more, The Lonely Assassins even includes an appearance from the Tenth Doctor himself, thanks to a video that originally appeared in "Blink" that can be found on Larry's phone. It may not be new footage, but it sure makes for a nice nod, and a fun connection to the 2007 episode. But really, what's a Doctor Who game without a proper appearance by the series' current Doctor?
In The Lonely Assassins, players help Osgood piece together the mystery surrounding Larry Nightingale's disappearance, which involves the return of the Wester Drumlins mansion and the villainous Weeping Angels. The investigation becomes a race against the clock, and once the mystery is solved, it's up to Osgood to put her life on the line to face the monstrous aliens. Thankfully, she is successful in stopping them, and the case is closed.
However, before the game reaches its end, it packs an exciting surprise when the user receives a call from the Thirteenth Doctor herself. While Jodie Whittaker doesn't appear in video form, she reprises the role in an audio recording where she addresses players directly, congratulating them on a job well done. The call is relatively brief, but it makes for a truly fun note to end the game on.
The Thirteenth Doctor was last seen on New Year's Day, in the holiday special "Revolution of the Daleks" and, since we don't yet know when Season 13 will premiere, this cameo from Whittaker's iteration of the Time Lord is truly welcome. It solidifies The Lonely Assassins as part of the franchise, placing it firmly in the continuity of the television series' current season. But more than anything, seeing the Thirteenth Doctor makes The Lonely Assassins a more complete experience.
Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins is available to download now on iOS, Android and Steam.