There was also a movie which tells most of the story from the first game. The characters are all the same but the first movie makes the events of this game unnecessary because *spoiler alert* Detective Pikachu returns to human form. The movie is pretty good so it’s worth checking out, but Ryan Reynolds plays Pikachu so the mouse is a little more sarcastic than his game counterpart.
Detective Pikachu Returns stars Tim Goodman, the son of a great detective gone missing. His partner Pikachu was once his dad’s and now he can talk. The biggest mystery from the first game was definitely why Pikachu can talk or at least why Tim understands him.
Tim is a curious kid, and losing his dad definitely started his need to be a detective. It’s an interesting idea to have the player character lose their parent even if it’s done often. It’s always a good catalyst, as losing a parent can make the child go above and beyond in order to make them proud if it’s possible for them to return.
I’ve been playing Pokémon since I was 4 years old. While Pokémon worlds have always been vast, this game shows us what it’s like to live in the world. To experience a few days in it. Where Pokémon and humans live in harmony.
It’s weirdly completely different from any other Pokémon world. With not much connection to battling, we see Pokémon as creatures, as living beings who have so much love to give. While I always do love my Pokémon, to see them loving their trainers truly is heartwarming.
The game plays a lot like the exploration sections of Phoenix Wright. The player walks around with Pikachu in tow and looks for clues. They talk to Pokemon and humans alike due to their being able to understand both sides, and the Pokémon and humans do have a lot to say.
A criticism I remember having from the first game was that only Pikachu could understand the Pokemon. He would translate what they said, and then relay the info to Tim and the player. Now, the Pokémon “talks” to the duo and the player gets to read it.
After talking to different characters and Pokémon, it’s time to interact with the special Pokémon. Every chapter introduces a ride Pokémon for Pikachu. Growlithe for instance can sniff out things if she has something with the Pokémon or person’s scent.
The Pokémon partners help Tim and Pikachu solve puzzles. For instance, Alolan Darmanitan can break objects, Pangoro can push blocks like in older Pokémon games, and Luxray can see through walls. Each power helps in the chapter the Pokémon is introduced in and it’s interesting to see how they use these powers.
It might feel a little gimmicky but sniffing for clues as Growlithe or pushing blocks as Pangoro does change up the pace. This game is great for young players and their parents because it’s a game young players can play with their parents.
Tim and Pikachu work through different questions. These will help the player figure out what happened. Each case does get harder but not by too much. This game might be for younger players but it’s nice to play a game from a different genre in Pokémon anyway.
After finding out enough information, it’s time to find out who committed the crime. Using logic, the player goes through a few questions and soon pins the crime on the criminal. The cases get tied up nicely and the characters move on to brighter things though everything is connected.
I enjoyed how expansive the world was compared to the last game. While not as vast as an open world, the areas were rather expansive. The Pokémon and characters would say different things depending on what was going on, so it showed some variety.
The backgrounds are crisp and clear. It’s amazing to see such beautiful art in Pokémon as obviously with the model of putting games out every year there is some hit to quality. Detective Pikachu Returns looks really good, and I have no idea why people are trashing it.
Voice acting is a sore subject for Pokémon fans. In Scarlet and Violet, there were clearly scenes where voice acting would work. Detective Pikachu goes above this and has many voice scenes. The characters often say a word or two when interacted with.
Clearly, the Pokémon Company is working on making voice acting a part of the series. It’s tough to get it done, especially with their current model, of releasing every year. Detective Pikachu Returns shows us what could be and I think they did a good job doing so.
Graphically, yes the game could lean towards 3DS style but really it’s just as lovely as any other switch game. It performed well with no struggle or slow down over my time playing. Again, it’s a simple game for children, it doesn’t have to be the highest fidelity, it just has to be fun.
Detective Pikachu Returns is a solid game, and despite being short, is a worthwhile experience. It’s a good game to play for new and old fans alike. It might not be for adults really, but any fan of Pokémon should have a fun time. Tim and Pikachu have some cases to solve, will the player help them save the day?
Disclaimer: A review key was provided
