Yes, each player needs their own copy of Unboxing the Cryptic Killer or Parallel Experiment. That's why we keep the price lower: two copies cost about as much as one full-price co-op game with a free "friend's pass" for the second player. Unsolved Case is free, so both of you can simply download it.

Before releasing Unboxing the Cryptic Killer, we asked our community which model they prefer: one full-price copy with a friend's pass, or two copies at half the price. It was close, but most players chose two copies, because:

• it's easier to split the cost: each player simply buys their own copy
• it's easier to play with someone you've just met, for example a partner from our Discord server
• there's no confusion between a full and a free version of the game

Many co-op puzzle games work the same way, for example the We Were Here series and The Past Within.

Thanks to cross-play, each of you can get the game on the platform you prefer: Steam, iOS or Android.