If you're a Pokémon fanatic like me, get ready for an exciting new game experience! Let's dive into Detective Pikachu Returns, a game that brings a fresh twist to the Pokémon universe.

A Passion That Lasts

As someone who has been playing Pokémon since childhood, my love for the series has only grown stronger. My house is a Pokémon paradise, filled with plushies, art, clothes, and of course, a collection of Pokémon games.

Pikachu's Brilliant Adventure

The announcement of Detective Pikachu Returns took me by surprise. Four years after the film's success and seven years after the release of the first game, Pikachu is back in action! With his lightning-fast brilliance, he sets out to solve intriguing cases.

Teamwork Makes the Difference

But this time, Pikachu has some new allies. The game introduces a refreshing change - Pikachu now collaborates with his fellow Pokémon to crack the case. He engages with them, discovers their unique abilities, and calls on them for assistance. It's an incredible way to showcase the talents of each Pokémon, and you'll encounter dozens of them as you explore the game's world.

A World Full of Life

While the Pokémon come to life with beautiful animations and captivating personalities, the same attention hasn't been given to the humans. Interactions with humans feel stiff and the animations lack fluidity, leaving the game with an unfinished touch.

A Slow and Guided Journey

The gameplay unfortunately suffers from slow pacing, requiring a lot of reading and long cutscenes. The limited exploration and lack of freedom to solve the case at our own pace can be frustrating. The game guides you point by point, without leaving room for independent deduction or early conclusions.

A Missed Opportunity

Adding to the pacing issues are stealth sections and quick-time events that don't quite fit the detective theme and further slow down gameplay. While side quests provide additional information about each Pokémon, they mostly consist of simple fetch quests without rewarding outcomes.

A Story-Driven Adventure

While Pokémon games aren't typically known for their deep narratives, Detective Pikachu puts the spotlight on storytelling. The story is decent, with a thrilling conclusion, but the characters lack depth and fail to create a strong emotional connection.

Who Is It For?

Despite its flaws, Detective Pikachu Returns will likely find its audience among younger children, offering a fun and adventurous experience for kids in primary school. However, older players, particularly those in high school, may find the simplicity of the game less appealing and seek the more intricate gameplay of the mainline Pokémon series.

Detective Pikachu Returns launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch on October 6, 2023.

Score: 3/5 - A Promising but Flawed Adventure

Written by Georgina Young on behalf of GLHF.