- Investigation board is the core case-solving hub where clues and evidence are connected
- Correct connections unlock new dialogue options, story branches, and rewards
- Pin everything first: collect all evidence before attempting deductions
- Wrong links waste in-game time and can lock side content
- Revisit the board after each story chapter for newly available connections
What Is the Investigation Board?
The investigation board is the deduction system in Course to Venus where you gather evidence, pin clues, and draw connections between suspects, locations, and testimonies. It serves as the game's puzzle-solving centerpiece, replacing simple dialogue checks with an interactive canvas that rewards careful observation.
Each board session presents a set of evidence nodes gathered from exploration and conversations. Your job is to link the right pairs so the protagonist can form a valid deduction and advance the case. Incorrect connections are not punished harshly early on, but later chapters introduce limits that make thoughtful linking essential.
Key elements you'll encounter on the board:
| Element | Description | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence Node | Items, photos, documents | Raw material for deductions |
| Testimony Node | Character statements | Can contradict evidence |
| Connection Line | Link between two nodes | Forms a deduction when correct |
| Contradiction | Mismatched statement vs. fact | Marks a suspect or alibi as suspect |
| Deduction Cluster | A set of verified links | Unlocks the next story beat |
Always read every evidence node's description before linking anything. Most failed deductions come from skimming text rather than wrong logic.
Evidence Types and How to Read Them
Understanding what each node type tells you is half the battle. The board sorts information into categories, and each behaves differently when connected.
Physical Evidence
- Found through environmental exploration
- Most reliable node type
- Often contradicts testimony
Testimonies
- Gathered from character dialogue
- Can be false or misleading
- Cross-check before linking
Observations
- The protagonist's own notes
- Bridge physical and verbal clues
- Usually safe to link early
The strongest deductions usually pair a physical item with a testimony that contradicts or confirms it. For example, linking a time-stamped photo with a suspect's claimed alibi either validates their story or exposes a lie — both outcomes progress the case.
Some chapters deliberately include misleading evidence. If a connection feels too obvious, check whether a second node explains the same fact more convincingly.
Step-by-Step: Solving a Case on the Board
Follow this repeatable process for every case in Course to Venus. It minimizes wasted connections and keeps the story moving.
Collect Everything First
Before opening the board, exhaust all exploration and dialogue in the current area. Every conversation option and searchable object can produce a node. Opening the board prematurely often means missing critical evidence.
Read and Categorize
Open the board and read each node's full description. Mentally sort them into physical evidence, testimony, and observations. Note any timestamps, locations, or names mentioned more than once.
Link the Obvious Pairs
Start with connections the game has practically set up for you — matching names, matching locations, direct confirmations. These build deduction clusters quickly and safely.
Hunt Contradictions
Look for statements that conflict with physical facts. Contradictions are the engine of most cases; exposing a false alibi typically unlocks the next phase of the investigation.
Verify and Submit
Review your deduction clusters, confirm the story they tell is coherent, then submit your conclusion. If the game rejects it, re-read rejected clusters for the overlooked node.
After each story chapter, reopen the board even if no prompt appears. New chapters frequently make old evidence newly connectable, unlocking optional scenes and rewards.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Most players stall on the board for the same handful of reasons. Here are the frequent errors, ranked by how often they cost players progress:
| Mistake | Impact | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Linking nodes on vibes | Wasted connections | Always cite the specific matching detail |
| Ignoring timestamps | Missed contradictions | Note all times when reading evidence |
| Skipping optional dialogue | Missing testimony nodes | Exhaust dialogue before boarding |
| Forcing one suspect early | Tunnel vision on red herrings | Keep alternate theories open |
| Never revisiting old boards | Lost bonus content | Recheck after each chapter |
Progressing a side quest or story scene occasionally adds the missing node. If the board has no valid connections left, the answer usually lies elsewhere in the world.
Board Mastery Checklist
Case-Solving Milestones:
- Exhaust all dialogue and search points before opening the board
- Categorize every node into evidence, testimony, or observation
- Build at least one contradiction-based deduction per case
- Revisit the investigation board after every story chapter
- Complete optional connections for bonus scenes and rewards
Optional deduction clusters beyond the required conclusion often grant bonus affinity with party members and extra worldbuilding scenes. Completionists should never submit a case with unconnected nodes remaining.
FAQ
Q: Can I fail a case on the investigation board in Course to Venus?
The story generally advances regardless, but repeated wrong connections can lock you out of optional scenes and reduce rewards. Later chapters introduce stricter limits, so careful linking matters more as the game progresses.
Q: What should I do if no valid connections seem to exist on the investigation board?
Leave the board and continue exploring or advancing the story. Missing evidence almost always means a dialogue option or searchable object was skipped in the current area.
Q: Do old evidence nodes carry over between chapters?
Yes. Evidence collected earlier can become connectable once new chapters add matching context. Revisit the board after each major story beat to catch these delayed connections.
Q: Is there a penalty for removing a connection I already made?
Removing a line to rework a deduction is free and often necessary. The only real cost is submitting a final conclusion built on flawed clusters, so adjust freely before committing.