Detectives have a challenging job. They are forced to investigate crime scenes, search for clues, interrogate suspects, and make appropriate deductions — all while the risk of making a mistake or hitting a dead end looms at any moment. However, despite the difficulties, the profession still attracts with its inexplicable charm. If you too want to feel like a detective, try one of the investigation games — in this article, we've gathered a dozen worthy genre representatives!
Fans have seen various incarnations of Sherlock: a dignified man with a pipe in his mouth, a traumatized eccentric poor fellow, and even a hardened lover of forbidden substances. However, the image of a young Holmes is something new. And it is this character that players will control in Sherlock Holmes Chapter One.
At the beginning of the game, Sherlock has not yet become the famous detective, and his goals are unusual. The young man returns to the island where he spent his childhood — there, the hero wants to honor his mother's memory and uncover the secrets of the past. Why does he poorly remember his youth? How did his mother die? Why does his elder brother try not to bring up this topic? To get to the truth, you'll have to conduct quite a few challenging investigations, but the result is worth it — prepare for shocking revelations.
Frogwares has released quite a few sensible games about Holmes, but it is Chapter One that best reveals the detective's personality. The narrative is aided not only by investigations and notes but also by intriguing characters. Take Sherlock's unusual friend named John (not Watson) — arguably, he could be called one of the coolest sidekicks in games.
The investigations themselves are also solid. Take, for example, one of the first cases where a local resident is crushed by an elephant. It seems like an accidental death, but Sherlock immediately notices inconsistencies and begins the hunt for the criminal. We look for clues, talk to witnesses, analyze facts, build conjectures, and deliver a verdict — considering that all cases are twisted, engaging in this is maximally exciting.
Ultimately, Sherlock Holmes Chapter One for the first time sends Sherlock into a charming open world, full of side quests, interesting activities, and even shootouts with criminals.
If controlling a young Holmes and roaming an open world isn't to your liking, take a look at Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments. This is another game from Frogwares studio — however, this time Sherlock doesn't indulge in reflection but simply cracks complex cases like nuts. The locations are more intimate, and there's hardly any unnecessary running around.
The main feature of Crimes and Punishments is its intriguing investigations, which will captivate even the most devoted Holmes fans. For instance, the detective will once have to find a missing train: it left the nearest station but never reached the next stop. There was nowhere to turn, and no strange clues were visible. So, what happened? Rest assured, Sherlock will figure it all out.
Interestingly, it was in Crimes and Punishments that the mechanics of clues and deductions took their final form. Analyzing evidence and drawing conclusions was so cool that the concept still works great in various games today.
Developers have released many projects about detectives who have had to investigate mysteries in the world created by H. P. Lovecraft. Even Frogwares once strayed from Sherlock's adventures and released the decent The Sinking City. However, it is Call of Cthulhu that can be called the best detective game about Cthulhu and other horrors.
The plot tells the story of a life-scarred detective who arrives in a strange town for an investigation. Unfortunately, the locals are not very welcoming — to get anywhere and gather clues, the hero needs to act like a true detective: be observant, speak eloquently, deceive, and catch interlocutors in lies.
Interestingly, all perks can be upgraded, but even the maximum level does not guarantee success. Somewhere off-screen, an invisible master rolls the dice and decides whether the hero passes the check. However, failure does not stop the hero — if one approach doesn't work, try another.
Behind the dice-related mechanics lies a quite traditional detective story — albeit with an abundance of Lovecraftian madness. The detective explores the area, finds important items, and carefully avoids the attention of enemies who can't even be stunned. Fortunately, the plot is solid, and the presentation is intriguing.
What Cyanide Studio managed to do best was convey an atmosphere of madness. Encountering the unexplainable time and again, the hero increasingly loses his grip and plunges into a world of darkness. The game readily reminds that in the face of powerful beings, humans are but mere specks of dust.
Among other detective games, Gamedec stands out for its setting. The story tells of a future world shaken by natural disasters. As a result, humanity had to settle in giant cities, where there is a lack of food, water, and opportunities for a normal life. To escape reality, people began spending almost all their time in virtual worlds. Unfortunately, swindlers and villains abound even there — and it's precisely the investigation of in-game crimes that a gamedec undertakes.
The hero will spend some time in reality. There, he roams futuristic Warsaw, takes on new cases, and interacts with suspects. However, the main part of the events takes place directly inside games. The gamedec will visit a typical farm, become a character in an eastern RPG, and even end up in an erotic project where gamers satisfy lewd fantasies.
At first glance, the cases seem isolated from each other. But upon closer inspection, connections are found, and the gamedec becomes entangled in a story from which it's not so easy to emerge alive. As a result, the tension increasingly tightens, and catching the culprit will be necessary not only inside games.
The detective mechanics are implemented classically: we look for clues, interview witnesses, build theories, and render a verdict — however, the original setting and tasks greatly refresh the process.
Disco Elysium is a gem of the gaming industry. The Estonian studio ZA/UM managed to create an outstanding masterpiece that should be appreciated not only by fans of RPGs and detective genres but also by those distant from gaming. It's precisely such projects that prove games are art.
The main character of Disco Elysium is a cop sent to investigate a murder. Instead of getting straight to the case, he gets blackout drunk, loses his gun and service car, and even forgets his name. Will he manage to pull himself together, or will he call himself Tequila Sunset and continue to create spectacular chaos? It's up to you.
Regardless of the path the hero chooses, to progress through the story, he will still need to take up the investigation. The cop must examine the crime scene, chat with suspects, find clues, and live through many dramatic episodes — moments like the Tribunal, calling the wife, or meeting a mysterious creature are long remembered.
If you were looking for a quality detective game but missed Disco Elysium, it's time to catch up.
L.A. Noire is an atmospheric detective game set in Los Angeles in 1947. The main character is a regular patrol officer who happens to be in the right place at the right time. He manages to solve an important case and earns a promotion to detective. As he climbs the career ladder, the intensity only increases — eventually, he must follow the trail of a serial killer and risk his own life.
The main strength of L.A. Noire lies in its interrogation system. During dialogues, witnesses and suspects might omit details or even outright lie. To ensure the accuracy of their statements, it's crucial to closely watch their facial expressions and gestures. They might unnaturally look away, nervously tap their fingers on the table, or force a smile, etc. Detecting lies is challenging, but no one ever said detectives had an easy job.
Perhaps, L.A. Noire could be criticized for its terrible stealth and the awkward action with fights and shootouts, but everything related to investigations and the plot is executed at the highest level.
According to the creators of Observer, the future holds nothing good for humanity. According to the plot, people have been enhancing their bodies with technology for years, but eventually encountered a digital plague that wiped out a large portion of the population. After that, the survivors waged war over resources and ultimately turned life into a nightmare. It is in such a world that we have to conduct our investigation.
Daniel Lazarski is an unusual detective. He can connect to a device implanted in the brain and conduct interrogations through a neural interface. Many need the help of such a specialist — including his own son.
After receiving a strange call from his offspring, Lazarski went to the ghetto and found a multitude of corpses in a residential building. What happened here, and where did the son disappear to? To unravel the tragedy, the hero will have to look for clues, use cool gadgets, conduct unusual interrogations, and so on. Unfortunately, the truth will turn out to be unpleasant.
Bloober Team has a portfolio full of notable projects, however, Observer should be called the Polish studio's main hit. Games like The Medium and Layers of Fear 2 may look more expensive, but the fantastic story and grim setting elevate the game about Daniel Lazarski to the top of the list.
The events of The Wolf Among Us unfold in the world of Fabletown, where many fairy-tale creatures live. Bluebeard, Snow White, the Woodsman, the three little pigs — they are all gathered here. Alas, these beings can't live peacefully, and the district was recently shocked by a bloodthirsty murder. The local sheriff, none other than the Big Bad Wolf, is tasked with investigating the crime.
To find the murderer, the hero will have to talk to many famous characters and dive headfirst into the darkest secrets of Fabletown. Everyone around is lying, afraid of something, and even trying to kill the sheriff. Interacting with interlocutors, making choices, and following the villain's trail is incredibly engaging. It's no wonder The Wolf Among Us is called the best game by Telltale.
The game can also be criticized. For example, the identity of the murderer is revealed too early, and the scriptwriters did not come up with other equally intriguing arcs. Plus, not all Chekhov's guns fire — many important choices do not go beyond the phrase «the character will remember this». However, none of this prevents The Wolf Among Us from being an excellent game.
Condemned: Criminal Origins was released 17 years ago, yet it remains one of the darkest and most atmospheric detective games to date. Monolith Productions' creation has stood the test of time well — with a couple of mods applied to the original, the game can still impress even the most demanding gamers.
At the heart of the story is a cop who was hunting a bloodthirsty maniac but fell into a trap. As a result, the madman framed the police officer for a couple of murders and forced him to go on the run. To clear his good name, the hero needs to conduct a dangerous investigation and delve into the dregs of society. Only in the most gruesome places will he find clues and evidence to prove his innocence in the killings.
Moreover, the hero had to not only conduct the investigation but also fight with homeless people and other scum. Since a loaded gun in Condemned was a rare guest, he had to defend himself with sticks, metal rods, and other makeshift weapons.
And yet, defeating the scum was not so easy. They turned off the lights to sneak up from the flank unnoticed, hid behind covers and mannequins, and also attacked from behind. Considering the grim atmosphere and scant lighting, the enemies managed to scare even more than terrifying monsters. It's a pity that Warner Bros. has long forgotten about this legendary series.
Her Story is a unique game with an original concept. You play as a police officer sitting in front of a service computer screen, examining interrogation recordings. In the videos, a certain Hannah Smith answers an investigator's questions about her missing husband. You need to find leads, search for new recordings by keywords, and ultimately piece together the full picture of what happened.
Who is Hannah Smith? Is she a victim or a predator? What happened to her husband? Searching for answers will be intriguing, as the plot in Her Story is more twisted than in some well-known detective novels. Your opinion on what happened will constantly change, and the suspects will more than once make you see them from a different angle.
***
What detective games do you like the most? Share in the comments!