October 6th 2023.
Detective Pikachu Returns is the sequel to the original game that inspired the first live action Pokémon movie. It has a surprisingly different tone to the original, as it was originally an obscure spin-off that almost went forgotten. However, Hollywood saw potential in it for their first live action Pokémon movie and the rest is history.
The game follows the titular investigator Pikachu, who speaks like a human, and his partner, protagonist Tim Goodman. The two investigate incidents of Pokémon acting peculiarly, and inevitably get dragged into a wider conspiracy. Tim interviews humans for clues, while Pikachu talks to Pokémon for the same. The game also allows Pikachu to recruit other Pokémon to their cause, such as making use of a Luxray’s x-ray vision or a Growlithe’s ability to track scents.
The game has been significantly dumbed down from the original, with very little in the way of real gameplay. There are no proper logic puzzles, just listening to people jabber on and fumbling your way through the explanations. Despite this, the game is still aimed at a considerably younger age group than the original.
The graphics are also disappointingly similar to the original, with the same simple geometry, limited animation, and small gameplay areas. However, Pikachu looks good and his animations and voicing make him stand out from the rest of the game.
The game can get peculiarly dark at times, which makes no sense given the more child-friendly gameplay. Nevertheless, the game has some surprisingly good comedy writing and is charming throughout. Moreover, Ryme City, where Pokémon live in harmony with humans, is still an interesting locale and the simple puzzle-solving should hold plenty of appeal for kids.
Overall, Detective Pikachu Returns may be a patronisingly simplistic visual novel aimed at only the youngest of Pokémon fans, but it's not a bad game. The main mystery surrounding the game is why it chooses to limit its audience so unnecessarily.
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