Heads up, Sherlock! There’s a new Pokémon game out on Nintendo Switch, and it’s a sequel to one of the most beloved entries in the franchise.
Detrective Pikachu Returns is a direct to sequel to the 2016 original 3DS game, which in turned spawed the popular 2019 film of the same name. This new entry sees the return of Tim Goodman and the title character investigating mysteries, while also continuing the search for Tim’s missing dad, Harry.
Unravel a series of mysteries across Ryme City with a tough-talking, coffee-loving Pikachu and his human partner, Tim Goodman. When a jewel theft occurs, the case sets this great detective duo down a path filled with mystery. Why did Tim’s father, Harry, go missing? What is causing the Pokémon-related incidents around Ryme City? Answer these questions and more by searching for clues, investigating scenes, and using your case notebook to make deductions.
Unlike the standard Pokémon titles, involving battles and the like, Detective Pikachu Returns is about detecting and investigating, compiling notes and making guesses as you solve crimes and in turn uncover a conspiracy to ruin the relationship between humans and Pokémon.
The great thing about Detective Pikachu Returns is that you don’t have to have played the previous game to get into the new one. The backstory is delivered smoothly and newcomers (which I am) get up to speed pretty quickly. Gameplay itself is simple and takes virtually no time to figure out. If you’ve played previous investigative games, Pokémon-based or not, you’ll figure out what you’re doing in no time.
Unsurprisingly, there’s nothing fancy about the look and feel of Detective Pikachu Returns on the Switch. The graphics are standard for the system, with bright colours and character designs, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The game looks engaging, and thanks to the strong voiceacting and storytelling, plays that way as well. Older gamers will get a few smiles out of the interaction between characters, while younger players will likely find themselves throughly entertained and happy to be hanging out with familiar characters like Tim and Pikachu again.
I had fun taking Detective Pikachu Returns for a few spins, and was pleased that it was so simple to dive into. Ultimately, while Detective Pikachu Returns isn’t for the hardcore Pokémon gamers out there, it is a definite fun one for younger players who want a first (or second) entry into investigative games.