Unraveling the Mystery: Detective Pikachu's Deductions Take an Unexpected Detour
Detective Pikachu Returns' captivating puzzles and deductions offer players a thrilling opportunity to hone their investigative skills However, it strikes a delicate balance, guiding players without overshadowing their autonomy A must-play for both Pokemon enthusiasts and puzzle aficionados
Highlights
A charming and delightful journey awaits fans in Detective Pikachu Returns, brimming with lovable Pokemon and their captivating escapades. However, the puzzle-solving and deduction segments fall short in granting players the freedom to unravel secrets at their own leisure.
To deduce the answer to a crucial question in the game, players are required to thoroughly review their notebook and gather sufficient information. However, the game imposes restrictions that prevent players from prematurely solving specific aspects of the case. This limitation not only hampers the experience for avid players who possess a solid understanding of the Pokemon series but also causes frustration among the game's target audience.
When players choose to play Detective Pikachu Returns, they are likely drawn to the title for a few reasons. One obvious reason is that fans of Pikachu and Pokemon in general are likely to enjoy the game. Another reason is the opportunity to solve puzzles and fight crime alongside the famous Detective Pikachu, who has now become a movie star.
Detective Pikachu Returns is a sequel to the original game released on the 3DS. While it may seem like a continuation of the movie, there are several notable differences that distinguish it from its predecessor. The only thing that truly links them together is an important case and the main characters involved. In terms of providing fans with an adorable Pokemon-filled adventure, Detective Pikachu Returns delivers. However, its puzzle-solving and deduction sections do not effectively allow players to uncover things at their own pace and independently.
How Detective Pikachu Returns' Deductions and Puzzles Work
Players, as Tim Goodman, do not have the ability to directly interact with the puzzle solving elements of Detective Pikachu Returns. They are required to first review their notebook, which keeps track of important landmarks, items, and witness testimonies relevant to the specific case. Once enough information has been gathered, Detective Pikachu will prompt players to start deducing the answer to a crucial question, which is facilitated through a single, well-aligned question.
However, players may discover that Detective Pikachu Returns contradicts its own principles in one significant manner. Specifically, if fans are already ahead in solving a case, they are unable to address that particular aspect until they proceed through the predetermined steps outlined by the game. This can be frustrating for players, especially when the solution to a case appears obvious or aligns with basic knowledge of the Pokemon franchise.
How Detective Pikachu Returns Mistakenly Punishes Pokemon Fans
The Detective Pikachu games are just a small part of the larger Pokemon series, so there are shared rules and information across various media projects. For instance, Pikachu is always an Electric-type Pokemon and battles between pocket monsters are common. Consequently, it is expected that Detective Pikachu Returns would draw inspiration from other Pokemon games for its cases. However, this reliance on familiarity ends up disappointing the fans who have extensive knowledge of the series.
The third case of the game, known as "The Fabled Aurora," serves as an illustration of this issue. In this chapter, players come across murals depicting Passimian, which are connected to statues that reveal a secret door. The murals revolve around berries, while the statues emit scents that correspond to sour, sweet, and spicy flavors. This indicates that players need to place specific Berries from the Pokemon series in the areas according to their scents and flavors.
In Detective Pikachu Returns, players are prevented from obtaining the spicy berry too quickly, as it is not found in the trees near the location of the case. However, the berry is ultimately used to prolong the investigation, as players must still melt the ice of the third mural with the assistance of the fire-type Pokemon Monferno, even if they are already aware of the solution. This inclusion only serves to restrict those familiar with the source material that inspired Detective Pikachu Returns, potentially causing annoyance among a significant portion of its intended audience.
Play Detective Pikachu Returns now on Nintendo Switch.
