Detective Pikachu Returns review: A middle-of-the-road mystery

Detective Pikachu has always been one of the strangest Pokemon spin-offs. While the mainline RPG-lite games test your ability to catch ‘em all and win battles, this bizarre side adventure features a coffee-guzzling Pikachu that helps its human partner solve mysteries ranging from lost Pokemon to large-scale corruption. Oh, and this Pikachu can talk, too.

While there are plenty of other spin-offs deserving of a sequel, like Mystery Dungeon or Pokemon Stadium, I can see the logic behind another Detective Pikachu game. The titular mascot is ridiculously cute - even with that gruff voice - and the live-action movie from 2019 (which I loved) introduced him to a whole new audience. But is this sequel any good?

Detective Pikachu Returns takes place two years after the original game, opening with the beginning of a new Ryme City celebration called Pokemon Friendship Week. Our protagonists Tim Goodman and his partner Pikachu are being rewarded for their expert detective work on a previous case, but it doesn’t take long before a new mystery begins to unravel.

Pokemon are acting strangely, vandalising statues, stealing food, and even attacking each other. The city’s residents are scared, so it’s up to Tim and Pikachu to investigate. I can’t say too much more without veering into spoiler territory, but the story is definitely the game’s strong point. This isn’t usually the case with Pokemon, so I was pleasantly surprised - especially as it deals with more mature themes than I expected.

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Gotta chat to 'em all

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Of course, a game as ridiculous as Detective Pikachu is going to need plenty of charm, and I’m happy to report that it delivers on that front. I loved being able to speak to Pokemon using my wise-cracking partner Pikachu as a translator, giving me a better insight into the personalities of these creatures I’ve known for years. Even the descriptions of each Pokemon would regularly get a goofy grin out of me.

The cast of Pokemon included is pretty impressive, with new additions from the Galar region like Corviknight and Sinistea making appearances alongside lesser-known creatures from past generations. Seeing their animations and learning little facts about them is a definite highlight.

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Unfortunately, the actual gameplay isn’t quite as engaging. Each day starts with a new mystery to solve, whether that’s a missing jewel or a trapped professor who needs saving. You’ll search for clues, talk to witnesses (both Pokemon and human), and then ‘deduce’ an answer based on what you’ve discovered. Get it right, and you’ll do it all over again with the next part of that mystery. It’s simple and repetitive, and it’s what you’ll spend most of your time doing.

This gameplay loop is broken up occasionally by small maze-like levels that require you to sneak around and avoid detection, or cutscenes that feature button-mashing quicktime events. Occasionally, you’ll be able to team up with another Pokemon and use their powers to help solve a case, like Galarian Darmanitan’s super strength or Luxray’s x-ray vision. These are the sections where Detective Pikachu Returns feels more like a traditional video game, but they’re few and far between, sadly.

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A walk in the park

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I wasn’t expecting Detective Pikachu Returns to be particularly challenging - I know it’s primarily aimed at kids - but it’s such a hand-holder that you’re mostly just going through the motions. Answers are pretty much spelt out for you, meaning you’re never left to ponder or figure things out for yourself, and most of the ‘a-ha!’ moments that make detective games so rewarding don’t land because you’ve figured things out long before Tim and Pikachu catch up.

During one early-game scene, our dynamic duo are trying to open a door to some mysterious ruins. After finding two switches in the ground, you have to read through loads of dialogue and go through the facade of ‘deducing’ what it is Tim and Pikachu need to do by using all the clues you've found - when it’s pretty clear that they just need to step on the switches.

Scenarios like this are frustratingly common, and there's also an abundance of cutscenes, some of which appear barely a few moments after the last one has finished. It often felt like I was watching an interactive animated movie rather than sleuthing my way through a detective game. The dated visuals don’t really help here, either.

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I know the issues that I’ve mentioned above won't be a problem for everyone. If you’re looking for a low-stakes Switch game to curl up on the sofa with, or you’re the kind of superfan who’ll enjoy anything Pokemon-related, you might love it. Kids who are old enough to appreciate - and sit still through - the lengthy dialogue will probably like it, too.

It’s just a shame that the gameplay and visuals don’t live up to Detective Pikachu Returns' quality story and charm. Spending time with the wise-cracking Pikachu is a delight, no doubt, and I did have some fun with the game. But I can’t deny that the actual mystery-solving is a bit of a drag.

The Verdict

Detective Pikachu Returns is a charming sequel that relies on its beloved IP to get by, delivering a story that's more engaging than most Pokemon adventures but falling flat with uninspired gameplay and dated visuals.

If you’re looking for a game to truly test your mystery-solving skills, you might want to take your detective hat elsewhere. Come for the cute Pokemon chats, instead.

3/5

Reviewed on Nintendo Switch. Review code provided by the publisher.