It’s safe to say that there aren’t many games as endearing as Frog Detective. A series of three games, Frog Detective originally appeared on PC but finally, the green, slimy puzzle-solver has arrived on console with a complete collection. While you won’t exactly be doing any in-depth detective work here, you will be thoroughly entertained, with a smile on your face the whole time.
Each of the three chapters in Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery is a self-contained story. You can play them in any order you want, but there’s the odd reference to a case that came before it, so it makes sense to start from number one. These aren’t long cases, but they do get a little more in-depth as you progress: you’ll likely be done with the first chapter in around half an hour, for example, but the third might take up to 90 minutes.
Essentially, solving a case in Frog Detective simply revolves around talking to people in a crime scene. We say “crime scene”, but don’t expect amphibian murders: you’ll be investigating ghost noises, missing hats and ruined parades. Each character in a location has some valuable information for you, but more pertinently, each one wants something from you. By talking to others, you’ll eventually gather the things you need. And when you’re able to help everyone out, only then will you be able to solve the crime.
Occasionally you’ll need to wander around the environment – all of which are pretty small – and find items. The second episode has you picking up lost pies, for example, while the third tasks you with gathering a handful of cactus flowers. That’s as much detective work as you’ll be doing here: the magnifying glass your froggy protagonist carries is, it would seem, entirely for show.
Yes, it’s seriously simple, but each one of Frog Detective’s cases is an absolute joy to play. Whether it’s the childlike visuals that are delightful in their simplicity, or the constantly funny dialogue – ranging from cute and silly to completely outlandish – we’ve had a grin permanently slapped on our face the whole time we’ve been playing.
Do we wish there was a bit more puzzling involved in Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery? Perhaps. But this isn’t a game you play for exercising your brain. It’s purely about silly fun, enjoying a cast of curious characters and revelling in a series of cute little stories for a couple of hours. If you want something more serious, there are plenty of other games to offer you that. For now, simply forget the worries of the world and get lost in this beautifully bizarre little game.
Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery Review – GameSpew’s Score
