The Best Detective Games

Update : Shadows of Doubt added at rank #34.
1

Hypnospace Outlaw (2019)

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100
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Xbox One PC Windows Mac OS Linux

Hypnospace Outlaw is a unique game that takes you to the world of the early internet circa 1999. As an assigned moderator of the Hypnospace community, you have to investigate unapproved commerce, strike down images and links with copyright infringement and page through personal blogs and projects. You will explore a web browser as well as a customizable desktop with programs and documents, while having to scan for references and redirects.


What we like:
  • Unique game setting in the early internet
  • Investigative detective work
  • Engaging storyline
  • Eye-searing kitsch comedy
  • Built with consistent world elements
What could be improved:
  • Limited color palette
  • Grainy pixelated artwork

  • detective
  • alternate
  • conspiracy
  • simulation
  • parody
  • funny
  • online
  • puzzle
  • 1990s

2

Lost Judgment (2021)

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88
Review score
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Xbox One Xbox Series X Playstation 4 Playstation 5 PC Windows

Lost Judgment is an action-adventure game set in a dark and humorous story full of twists, with great visuals and animations. Explore two amazing cities with tons of side quests, shops and places to eat, while fighting gang members, delinquent students and more. Switch between three different combat styles to upgrade your stats and skills. Enjoy detective inspired mini-games, the return of the drone races, plus a bunch of Master System games to collect and play.

Buy

What we like:
  • Amazing story with likable characters
  • Fun side quests
  • Smooth combat system
  • Two immersive cities to explore
  • Variety of mini-games and collectibles
What could be improved:
  • Some immersion breaking moments
  • Limited skateboard tricks
  • Some undertones may not be okay with everyone
  • Mediocre lock picking mini-game
  • Drone flies wonky at times

  • detective
  • skateboard
  • fight
  • combat
  • crime
  • brawler
  • mystery
  • stealth
  • boxing
  • spin-off
  • parkour
  • narrative
  • turn-based

3

Return of the Obra Dinn (2018)

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96
Review score
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Xbox One Mac OS PC Windows

Return of the Obra Dinn is an adventure puzzle game set in a supernatural maritime world. Players assume the role of an appraiser for a maritime insurance company and are given a pocket watch that reveals the fates of the ship's unfortunate passengers. The game features stunning foley work, voice acting, and score to set its tone. Players must use their deductive reasoning to unravel what happened to all passengers on board.


What we like:
  • Mystery elements require sound deductive reasoning
  • Brilliant foley work and voice acting
  • Innovative visuals inspired by early computer games
  • Supernatural angle adds intrigue and suspense
  • High replay value
What could be improved:
  • Simulated assistance may make some tasks too easy
  • Minimalist aesthetic can be off-putting to some players
  • Limited area surrounding each scene restricts exploration

  • detective
  • mystery
  • puzzle

4

Disco Elysium: The Final Cut (2021)

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90
Review score
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Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Xbox One Nintendo Switch stadia Mac OS PC Windows Playstation 4

Disco Elysium - The Final Cut is a groundbreaking role playing game. You’re a detective with a unique skill system at your disposal and a whole city to carve your path across. Interrogate unforgettable characters, crack murders or take bribes. Become a hero or an absolute disaster of a human being.


  • rpg
  • detective
  • political
  • dice
  • isometric
  • skill
  • crime

5

Duck Detective: The Secret Salami (2024)

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86
Review score
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Android) (IOS iPhone Xbox Series X Xbox One Mac OS Linux Nintendo Switch PC Windows Xbox Series X/s

Solving crime is no walk in the pond. You are a down-on-his-luck detective who also happens to be a duck. Use your powers of de-duck-tion to inspect evidence, fill in the blanks, and bust the case wide open, in a narrative mystery adventure where nothing is quite as it seems.


  • detective
  • mystery
  • noir
  • sausage
  • investigation
  • short
  • point-and-click
  • cute
  • puzzle
  • isometric

6

Chicken Police (2020)

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92
Review score
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PC Windows Xbox One Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch IOS iPhone stadia Playstation 5 Mac OS

Chicken Police - Paint it RED! is an off-kilter adventure game and visual novel that takes you to the city of Clawville as private detective Sonny Featherland and his partner, Marty MacChicken investigate a case. Follow them as they meet the denizens of the seedy underbelly, interrogate suspects and investigate crime scenes in this hard-boiled noir.


What we like:
  • Smoothly running game
  • Well-made
  • Excellent story supported by good voice acting
  • No-longer weird seeing animal heads on human bodies
What could be improved:
  • Initial weirdness of seeing animal heads on human bodies
  • Minimal action with only occasional minigames

  • detective
  • visual-novel
  • noir
  • mystery
  • point-and-click

7

Judgment (2018)

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93
Review score
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Playstation 4 Xbox One IOS iPhone Android PC Windows stadia Xbox Series X Playstation 5

Fight for the truth and uncover the twisted crime running deep beneath the surface of Tokyo. In this legal thriller , the balance between justice and mercy teeters on the edge.


  • detective
  • crime
  • fight
  • drama
  • combat
  • spin-off
  • narrative

8

Disco Elysium (2019)

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93
Review score
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PC Windows Mac OS

Disco Elysium is an immersive detective RPG where you play the role of a belligerent drunk, trying to solve a murder in a Parisian style town full of creeps and drunks. With an incredibly deep character creation system, you can choose how to approach each situation as you interrogate suspects and follow clues. The game features excellent writing, skill checks, thought processes, conversations and beautiful visuals.

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What we like:
  • Depth of character development
  • Rich story and environments
  • Surreal conversations
  • Gorgeous visuals and voice acting
What could be improved:
  • Occasional bugs
  • Cumbersome inventory system

  • rpg
  • detective
  • dice
  • political
  • isometric
  • tabletop
  • mystery
  • skill
  • old-school

9

GHOST TRICK: Phantom Detective (2023)

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86
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Android PC Windows Playstation 4 Xbox One IOS iPhone

In Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, you're a ghost solving your own murder mystery before sunrise. With time manipulation, object possession, and mind-bending puzzles, you'll uncover a story full of twists and turns. This HD remaster offers an upgraded visual experience, new music arrangements, and a gallery of artwork, making it the ultimate version of this classic adventure.


What we like:
  • Engaging story with satisfying twists
  • Endearing, unique characters
  • Fantastic art style and graphic upgrades
  • Fun voice acting
  • Intriguing puzzle-solving mechanics
What could be improved:
  • Puzzles can be frustrating and require trial-and-error
  • Unhelpful hint system
  • Lack of bonus content

  • puzzle
  • mystery
  • detective
  • cult
  • adventure
  • narrative
  • supernatural
  • classic
  • assassin

10

Inspector Waffles (2021)

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89
Review score
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Xbox One Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch PC Windows

Join Inspector Waffles, a jaded and witty feline detective as he attempts to solve the murder of Fluffy, beloved owner of Fluffy Box Furniture. Interrogate suspects, investigate leads and combine inventory items in the charming pixel art world of Cat Town. Enjoy sharp writing, a likeable cast of characters and enjoyable puzzles as you try to solve the case by any means necessary!


What we like:
  • Sharp writing
  • Likeable cast of characters
  • Charming pixel art presentation
  • Enjoyable puzzles
  • Clever hint system
What could be improved:
  • Short game length
  • Can't just drag objects onto characters during conversations

  • detective
  • pixel
  • point-and-click
  • mystery
  • noir
  • dog
  • cats
  • crime
  • investigation
  • narration
  • classic
  • funny
  • old-school
  • thriller

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