Looking for some games where it feels like you’re actually trying to solve something with the clues and secrets you uncover. For example, Disco Elysium actually made me feel like a detective despite how wacky and surreal it could be.
I haven’t played LA Noire yet but that’s on my list. Anything else I should check out? TIA!
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This game (Shadows of Doubt) is in early access but is super promising so far. I’m in love with it!
This is what I came to recommend. I’m actually waiting for it to exit early access (or at least cook a bit longer), but it looks like a detective game wet dream.
I can’t get it out of my mind, only reason I haven’t bought it yet is because I don’t want to experience an inferior version of it.
Yeah I def get what you mean. I have a lot of games in early access on my wishlist that I want to wait for the EA period to end.
But for this one, with each case being different and randomly generated, I felt like I could experience it now without diminishing any experience I’d have when it has a full release
It’s really fun but still kinda rough around the edges. I wish there other games like this that are fully fleshed out and complete.
Shadows of Doubt is probably the closest thing to a pure detective game. It’s definitely a bit rough around the edges, but the core concept is really cool. I had a lot of fun playing it even in its current state, and look forward to coming back once it’s further along in development.
The Return of the Obra Dinn is by far the best detective game I have ever played.
If only the art style didn’t make my head hurt
To each their own, I love it though!
Oh yeah, I’m not saying it’s objectively bad. I have chronic migraines and trying to play it would make them worse, so it literally made my head hurt.
Oh, sorry to hear that. I can see how it would be migraine-inducing. But I’m glad that we all now agree that it’s objectively good :)
I really liked it. The music was iconic too, everything about the game is so unique. Sometimes I just listen to the OST and wish I could play the game for the first time again haha.
A lot of detective games are mostly point and click adventure games, which generally are older games or more indie style. That said there are a few I can think of:
The Gabriel Knight games have a lot of good detective elements, including some good puzzle solving. https://www.gog.com/en/game/gabriel_knight_sins_of_the_fathers
Chicken Police has a really neat interrogation mechanic and a fantastic noir setting. Its a bit silly all things considered, but the detective elements are fun. I’ve not beaten the game, but the time I’ve put into its fun. https://www.gog.com/en/game/chicken_police
In a similar vein, Backbone is a noir detective game set in an animal setting. The detective mechanics feel weaker, and the game seems to force you on to the critical path pretty hard, but its still been fun so far. https://www.gog.com/en/game/backbone
Finally, this is a horror game, but unraveling the mystery is fun and the game doesn’t railroad you on the critical path too hard. Simulacra is a game about a guy who receives a mysterious cell phone and he is using all the tools available on the phone to uncover the identity of the owner. Short and engrossing. https://www.gog.com/en/game/simulacra
+1 for The Case of the Golden Idol! Great game!
Chicken police was surprisingly well done.
If you like puzzles while soving a mystery I would recommend any of The Room games or Agent A a puzzle in Disguise.
Would Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney fit your bill? I mean it’s mostly about moon logical deduction but also finding clues and such.
Return of the Obra Dinn is worth checking out like others have mentioned. I also really enjoyed The Case of the Golden Idol, which is somewhat similar.
I’m surprised no one has mention The Outer Wilds yet. The whole game makes you feel like part detective, part archeologist, and one of the best games I’ve ever played.
Return of the Obra Dinn is a very good game about piecing together clues to find out who everybody is and their eventual fate.
This might not fit what you’re looking for, but the Phoenix Wright games are mostly about detective work, despite playing as a lawyer. If you like wacky and surreal, the series should be right up your alley!
I had some weird bugs replaying it recently but maybe you’ll have better luck than me - Orwell
Cloudpunk is more of a delivery game that has a mystery aspect but I enjoyed it (haven’t finished it yet)
CaseCracker was enjoyable but there were some translation issues I think so some things weren’t clear in English.
Not a detective game but would HIGHLY recommend Cloudpunk anyway. Amazing atmosphere, outstanding music, and the story made me cry so, ten out of ten.
I wouldn’t rate L.A. Noire too highly, as it’s a weird hybrid between detective game and GTA.
What rubbed me the wrong way was the illusion of choice in side quests (roadside police work) where it seems like it’s always the worst possible outcome. The story, especially the choices my character made (without me having a say in it), wasn’t to my taste either.
It’s a different style, but Ghost Trick is being re released in HD very soon. I definitely recommend you give it a try!
The gaming industry is so consolidated and really needs to be broken up IMO. So many games that could of been but didn’t happen because some large corporation bought the rights and just sit on it or fucked it up. Embracer owns a ton of smaller developers and publishing studios as well. Like the publisher for Valheim is owned by Embracer.
Think your comment showed up in the wrong thread gamer (Lemmy bug)
You simply must play Technobabylon.
Have you played The Wolf Among Us? It’s a Telltale adventure game, so in terms of gameplay it’s more like an interactive graphic novel, but the story is great, and the detective work and interrogations are really immersive.
I haven’t played it myself but my brother has and I do remember a good amount of it. I should probably pick it up since they did announce a sequel if I’m not mistaken!
It’s been a long time coming but I’d love more.
It’s absolutely not a detective game per say, but if you’d like an experience where you’re trying to solve something and piecing together clues and secrets, then I’d really recommend Outer Wilds. You don’t play as a detective, but you do get a spaceship and there is a lot of detecting to do!
Great call, did not think of outer wilds but that game is super thoughtful. You’re like a space archeologist.
