Detective Pikachu Returns - Review

The great Detective Pikachu is back once again with his funny looking two-legged human partner. Or, maybe it’s Pikachu who is the partner and Tim Goodman is the master detective? Regardless, you’re in for one electrifyingly good time.

Detective Pikachu Returns does just what its name implies. We are returning to crime and mystery solving in the Pokémon world. Tim Goodman and his partner, a witty and somewhat sassy Pikachu who Tim is able to communicate with, attempt to solve the mystery of Tim’s missing father. Following on from the story laid out in the original Detective Pikachu title, as well as the movie by the same name, you are once again attempting to find the missing Harry Goodman. Using their uncanny ability to perfectly communicate with each other, Tim and Pikachu are tearing up Ryme City and solving all mysteries laid before them.

Detective Pikachu Returns is a wonderfully written adventure, filled with witty banter, great one-liners and tons of visual gags. A game with a younger audience in mind at its core, also excels at being so innately funny and well-written that all fans of the Pokémon universe, young and old, will get a kick out of this new adventure. A focus on enjoyable gameplay and story results in a somewhat straight-forward and hand-holding experience, this doesn’t detract from the joy that comes from Detective Pikachu Returns. A surprisingly young adult themed story doesn’t shy away from themes around societal splits and control. With a focus on the abuse of authority, Detective Pikachu Returns shines a lot on modern day policing issues without being overtly political or obnoxious in its approach.

It cannot be understated how incredibly well written the game is. The story is clear from the get-go, and like any good mystery adventure there are plenty of surprises, twists and turns along the way to keep you guessing. In particular, there is a major event that occurs in the mid-point of the game that completely changes how the game is perceived. No longer just a fun little jaunt of solving minor crimes or saving persons from ruins. No, now there is imprisonment, mind-controlling devices that force subservience out of the Pokémon and a Pokémon specific police force who would see Pokémon ‘managed’ rather than living in cohesion. A story that is simple enough in nature, with a decent amount of nuance to really keep the player invested in the narrative being told.

Alongside the writing, the visual storytelling is incredibly well thought out. There are only a few environments and areas that are experienced through the game. Yet the way these are laid out, how they change throughout the day and as a result of your interactions tells a story in of itself. Ryme City is alive. The cafe sees people dropping in to see a live music Pokémon band. Prankster Pokémon getting their fill of jokes, as well as quieter Pokémon like Trubbish finding places to avoid humans and hide away from all the noise. The Pokémon in the world are varied and different, and every character gets a moment to shine.

The character’s themselves are a major upside alongside the narrative elements. Each character feels wholly unique and important to the overall story. Nobody is under-developed for the sake of giving a group of Pokémon more screen time. Conversely, no Pokémon are deprived of their time in the sun as a result of a character getting too much focus. There is a healthy balance created between the two, and as a result a healthy blend of slapstick comedy from both sides of the Pokémon world. Detective Pikachu Returns does a fantastically good job of making the cohesion and coexistence of humans and Pokémon feel incredibly natural. With strong writing and visual storytelling to assist.

Detective Pikachu Returns at its core is a mystery game. In the likes of Ace Detective: Miles Edgeworth, or the more critically acclaimed, Ace Attorney series. A pseudo-visual novel title with a few little bits of gameplay thrown in to make the game feel more engaging. The pacing is done in a way that you’ll never really be stuck trying to work out the mystery of the situation, whilst also somehow remaining within the realm of real-world logic. There is a touch of disbelief to be suspended, as it is a game that has an electric mouse as a detective, but for the most part the game is rather logical about how the mysteries are presented. The obvious solutions are generally the right ones, and you never really find yourself having to bend logic to solve what is going on. As a result the gameplay is never truly challenging, but this is probably more so a case of the target audience being younger children. The game is designed in a way to be accessible, and enjoyable to all who pick it up. Regardless of their age or gaming ability. As a result however there will likely be a group of people who will find the gameplay far too underwhelming and may not have a great time with the game as a result.

To diversify the gameplay there are partner Pokémon segments littered throughout to keep things interesting. These are sections where Pikachu partners up with another Pokémon to use their unique ability. Be it the smelling ability of Growlithe, or the punching boulders so hard they disappear from reality, the ability of Darmanitan. These add some depth to what is otherwise a pretty straight-forward Mystery solving experience. Most of these are enjoyable, and result in you getting unique dialogue options with both Pokémon and humans alike, as well as funny comedy responses from Pikachu being wildly insulted by the reactions of humans to him riding around on other Pokémon.

The music cannot be understated in just how good it is. The composer has gone above and beyond in making a very enjoyable listening experience, with many of the songs standing out. Detective Pikachu Returns’ soundtrack is one of the better in this style of game and really helps elevate the more intense sections of the game. There are jazzy numbers, hard rock beats, and easy lounge style music littered throughout with such variety that every single track feels unique to its location in the game. In a title that runs about ten hours in length, it's wildly impressive how fresh the music stays throughout, without ever overstaying its welcome, or distracting from the events of the game itself.

Detective Pikachu Returns is a wonderful little mystery solving game. A cast full of enjoyable and funny characters, with gorgeous sound design and world building. The story has moments of brilliance with the way it examines the contrast of real world issues, with that of Pokémon and humans. The world in the Detective Pikachu titles is almost even more interesting than that which has been crafted in other Pokémon games, purely by moving the focus to everyday actions of people, rather than a specialised combat league as is the case in most Pokémon titles. A title that will be enjoyable for players of all ages and skill-levels, that should keep people engaged for hours on end.

The Score

9.0

Review code provided by Nintendo

The Pros

Fantastically written characters

Incredibly funny, without being overtly try hard

Partner Pokémon segments are enjoyable and break up the gameplay well

The Cons

Gameplay lacks any real challenge or difficulty at all

Side missions feel like filler, without any connection to the overall story

A shortish experience, with little leeway in exploration of the world