Oh, to be a duck and a detective – that’s the dream. Maybe notyourdream, but it was mine after seeing this indie game inching ever closer to its release date. What can I say, animals behaving like humans is a trope that I adore for its absurdity.
We’ve all seen geese on a rampage, honking as they beg, steal, and borrow. But what about the ducks who’ve spent years honing their investigative skills? They’re yet to own the spotlight. Eugene, aka the Duck Detective, is trying to change the status quo one mystery at a time.
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Much like the film noir characters of old, this detective is having a rough time; going through a divorce, little to no money, and a lack of jobs will do that to a duck. But while this down-on-his-luck duck isn’t breezing through life, he has a skillset that few others can rival: a beak for solving mysteries.
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To do this, you’ll need to talk with NPCs, learn their personalities, maybe a secret or two, and analyse their behaviour. This aspect of the gameplay reminded me ofSherlock Holmes Crimes & Punishments, but without the finesse that Holmes has. Not to do the Duck Detective a disservice, but he’s rough around the edges in a gritty way Sherlock could never be. Though, as the case nears its conclusion, we see the great Duck Detective have a flair for the overdramatic.
Happy Broccoli Games
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Early on, you see that the accused isn’t the person you need to keep your eyes on. Then before long, it becomes all too obvious who’s to blame for this crime. I didn’t expect this to be some Poirot-style case, however, I’d hoped to be challenged a little more;The Duck Detectiveplays it too safe, too cosy. Obviously, a game should never drag out the story for the sake of it – length doesn’t equal enjoyment – but this story felt undercooked.
Much potential lies within the tale of the BearBus scandal; however, it’s sadly never fully realised. Despite being an underdog you can’t help but root for, the Duck Detective is a mixed experience – it straddles the gap between greatness and prosaic, never able to settle on either side of the divide.
I’d still recommend waddling down the streets of this world, but with the caveat that it’s the briefest of journeys over far too soon for such a big personality as the Duck Detective.
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Pros: Funny characters, delightful visuals, and simple gameplay
Cons: Too short, and too predictable
For fans of: L.A Noir, This Bed We made, Frog Detective
7/10: Very Good
Topics:Indie Games,Nintendo,Nintendo Switch,Steam
