Detective Pikachu Returns is released! Check analysis and details

Detective Pikachu Returns was released today on October 6, 2023, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch platform. The game continues exactly where its predecessor left off, having previously been released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2016. Detective Pikachu Returns combines Pokémon, Sherlock Holmes-style investigation and lots of relaxed moments.

What is the game about?

Right at the beginning of the game it is possible to see a summary of what happened in the previous game, Detective Pikachu, thus preparing new players who had no contact with the predecessor. It follows a linear story - the player is controlling Tim Goodman and his partner Pikachu who, after a case of jewelry theft, puts them both on a path full of mysteries. Furthermore, they must find out why Tim's father disappeared.

The player will also have the help of other Pokémons such as Growlithe and Luxray. These have special abilities such as sniffing or seeing through walls, respectively, which will help to solve the puzzles present in the game. Throughout the game, you will collect clues, interview characters (humans and Pokémon!) and, in this way, solve the puzzle of each mystery.

Maintaining the style of the previous game, Detective Pikachu Returns makes several references to other games, the film and other elements of the franchise. Anyone who played the first game may remember that it even makes a mention of Ash's Pikachu!

Is Detective Pikachu Returns for you?

Detective Pikachu Returns is being released at full price, with its digital version available via the Nintendo store for $50.

The game follows a very similar line to the Phoenix Wright game, but in an extremely simple way. The riddles will not test the player, making it a very focused game for children who are learning to read or just for other fans of the series. Players looking for challenging puzzles and an engaging plot may be disappointed with this game.

Time to investigate!

The game is dubbed in English and Japanese, which gives a lot of life to most of the scenes and events in the game - however, the player can expect several sections where there will be different texts to be read. The gameplay is very reminiscent of the 3DS games, but with the help of the cutscenes, you are immersed in the entire universe of the game, being able to visualize the entire life of the city of Ryme City, where humans and Pokémon live together.

When trying to solve a challenge, if you get an option wrong, it is removed, and this is repeated until only the correct option remains, meaning there is no punishment - this makes it possible to finish the game with just trial and error, demonstrating that your target audience It's childish.

The biggest factor in keeping the player hooked to the game is its story and not the gameplay. Although it may seem slow at first, when discovering the larger plot, the player becomes more interested in the mystery and feels motivated to continue exploring to reach the end.

Detective Pikachu Returns has a journey of approximately 18 hours.

Excited to explore Ryme City and discover this new universe involving Pokémons and mysteries? What are your expectations about the game, do you want to buy it now or will you wait for a promotion? Also check out about Pokémon and Van Gogh: Partnership Celebrates 50 Years of Museum!