Introduction

Imagine a world where a Pikachu with a penchant for solving mysteries exists. Now imagine you, a human with no known detective skills, are expected to solve cases in this world. Welcome to *Detective Pikachu Returns*. A sequel that answers the question, 'What if Pokémon had their own version of Sherlock Holmes, but he was an electric mouse?' Spoiler alert: It’s a bit shocking—mostly in a cute way, but let's not get too excited. Grab your magnifying glass and let's dissect this game.

Gameplay

Gameplay consists of a delightful mix of puzzle-solving, item gathering, and conversations with all things cute and cuddly. You take the role of Tim Goodman, the human sidekick who doesn't really seem to contribute that much, but hey, every detective needs a pretty face, right? You'll travel around Ryme City, which is a term we assume means a city filled with rhyming conversations and bad puns. Your trusty sidekick, Detective Pikachu—who looks all too comfortable in a detective get-up—helps you investigate various cases, including a baffling jewel theft that somehow involves both Pokémon and questionable fashion choices. Investigating doesn’t just consist of pointing and clicking; you'll cleverly interact with other Pokémon and humans alike, uncovering secrets that make you wonder why you didn’t choose an easier career, like professional cat herding.

Graphics

The graphics are cartoony and infused with a vibrant charm. Think about how cute you’d find Pikachu wearing a tiny detective hat—now multiply that by an entire cityscape filled with Pokémon characters so adorable that it's practically illegal. However, it does have a whiff of the 'Nintendo Switch era,' as some textures can look a bit potato-like if gazed at long enough. Still, overall it’s visually appealing, and if that doesn’t make you smile while you’re solving crimes, you might want to check your pulse.

Conclusion

When all is said and done, *Detective Pikachu Returns* charismatically enchants you while also being good enough to make you wish there was a bit more polish under the hood. While it's no *The Last of Us*, it's also not entirely forgettable. It drips with enough adorable dialogue and engaging puzzles to make you consider putting your serious games aside for a couple of hours. It’s the kind of game where you can enjoy the whimsical charm while getting your brains teased a little, but don’t expect any life-altering plot twists—unless that twist involves Pikachu's power to make you laugh. Thus, in the grand scheme of Pokémon adventures, we give it a solid 6.5 out of 10 for a cozy investigative experience that is totally kid-friendly and only marginally adult-acceptable.

See Latest Prices for Detective Pikachu Returns on Switch on Amazon