Top 8 Underrated Detective Games You Need To Play

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Summary

  • Detective games require players to solve mysteries with wit and tools.
  • Underrated detective games like Scrutinized offer challenging experiences.
  • Unique games like Overboard subvert traditional detective game genres.

Every game requires a character for the player to manage, often taking the role of an investigator when the plot centers around a mystery. Equipped with their intelligence and whatever resources are available, the player should possess the necessary intellect to piece together clues and unravel the central enigma.

Today’s task is about uncovering lesser-known, underrated detective games that may not have received as much attention as popular titles such as “LA Noire” and “The Evil Within.” These games might have been overlooked by gamers at their release, or have faded into obscurity over time. Let’s shine a light on them!

8. Scrutinized

Reflect Studio’s Infamous Difficulty Might Be Off-Putting To Gamers

Following their creation of web-browsing games “Welcome to the Game” and its sequel, Reflect shifted their focus towards a new title called “Analyzed“. This game retained many similarities in terms of gameplay but introduced a fresh objective. The protagonist is a CIA agent on the hunt for the Blueblood Killer, the suspected murderer of her cherished cousin. As she pursues this case, Luna accesses her system nightly to sort through reports, discarding fake ones for destruction while holding onto legitimate ones for further examination.

Beyond just examining criminal records and messages, players in this game need to stay vigilant as well. The kidnapper and Tanner could potentially enter the house if precautions aren’t taken. Even though Welcome to the Game is challenging, those who know it might hesitate to endure such intensity once more. Yet, for the brave souls who decide to play, Scrutinized offers an exciting mix of fun and sheer terror.

7. Murdered: Soul Suspect

Soul Suspect Did Not Receive Overly Positive Reviews Upon Release

In some instances, it can seem as though escape from work’s constraints is only achievable through death, a sentiment that holds true for detective Ronan O’Connor in the game “Murdered: Soul Suspect“. Unfortunately for Ronan, his untimely demise occurs while he was pursuing the infamous Bell Killer. Despite the grim circumstances surrounding both the victims and his own death, Ronan is driven to solve this case in order to gain entrance to the afterlife and be reunited with his deceased wife, Julia.

From a movie enthusiast’s perspective, this narrative stands out as unique because it begins with the main character’s demise, which isn’t common in many films or games. However, the intriguing plot was arguably the game’s sole shining point, overshadowed by some mediocre gameplay. Consequently, Murdered: Soul Suspect is a title that might have been overlooked due to its polarizing nature. But for those who appreciate a captivating storyline, it’s definitely worth experiencing.

6. Killer Frequency

An Indie Game That Many Might Have Missed

After experiencing a setback in his career, radio host Forrest Nash moved from bustling Chicago to the quaint town of Gallows Creek, expecting his new role to involve merely playing records and reporting on mundane events like weather updates and lost pets. However, things take an unexpected turn when all emergency calls are routed to the radio station instead of the police department, forcing him into a situation where he must rise to the occasion.

In this thrilling detective game titled “Killer Frequency“, you, as Forrest, will find yourself receiving distress calls from terrified residents pursued by a notorious serial killer known as The Whistling Man. Your mission is to provide guidance to these victims and ensure their safety, all while drawing nearer to revealing the killer’s identity. This pulse-pounding experience offers an unparalleled detective challenge that will keep you from even thinking about hanging up on the action!

5. Overboard

A Hidden Gem That Cleverly Subverts The Detective Genre

In most detective games, players are typically challenged to unravel mysteries related to either grand theft or first-degree murder. It’s rare for games to deviate from this pattern, as it’s this aspect that defines a game as a detective title. However, an underappreciated gem called Overboard dared to mix things up, offering a distinctive gaming experience that might have been overlooked by many.

In the game “Overboard“, characters find themselves in a situation where they have allegedly murdered their spouse by pushing them off the ship. Their objective is now to skillfully hide any traces of this criminal act, as fellow passengers might grow suspicious. This game ingeniously twists the genre conventions, proving surprisingly effective.

4. Nancy Drew: Midnight In Salem

Nancy Drew Games Have Always Been Underdogs

As a die-hard film enthusiast who adores a good mystery, I’ve long been captivated by HeR Interactive and their unwavering dedication to the Nancy Drew franchise. For years, they’ve been weaving intricate point-and-click narratives around the resourceful teen detective from the beloved book series, immersing us in stories derived from published books or crafting new enigmas for her to unravel – even when she’s taking a well-deserved break!

The game “Midnight in Salem” marked a subtle yet significant shift in the series’ formula, adding an extra layer of intrigue that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Initiating the series to employ Unity, there were certainly fans eager for the novelty, yet some questioned ‘if it’s not broken, why fix it?’ Thus, “Midnight in Salem” garnered mixed reactions, offering a few chills and an intriguing mystery, but remaining somewhat divisive. The “Nancy Drew” series has consistently been less acclaimed than many other franchises given its length, which is unfortunate since these games offer some of the most engaging mystery-solving experiences available.

3. Contradiction: Spot The Liar!

Though Brilliant, Contradiction Never Received The Hinted-At Sequel

In a simpler and more conversational style: FMV (Full Motion Video) games offer an immersive experience for storytelling due to their use of real-life actors instead of 3D models. A great example is the mystery game, Contradiction. This project was personally driven, with the majority of its funding coming from Kickstarter, amounting to approximately £4000. Relatively speaking, this is a smaller sum compared to many crowdfunded games, indicating that not many gamers were aware of this game at the time.

The story centers on a detective probing into the murder of Kate Vine, a university student, by interrogating townspeople in a quaint little community. However, things are not as they appear, and the narrative takes players on a thrilling journey into a clandestine operation called ATLAS. The tale is presented with an exaggerated campy acting style that was part of the game’s endearing charm, but it failed to attract the necessary audience for a sequel hinted at in the game’s finale.

2. Her Story

This Indie FMV May Have Gone Unnoticed by Many

Full Motion Videos (FMVs) encompass a diverse array of genres, and quality can vary significantly. One standout example is “Her Story“, an interactive FMV game where players find themselves in front of a computer, scrutinizing snippets from Hannah Smith’s police interviews following the disappearance and subsequent death of her husband. While it might seem that the spouse is the prime suspect, isn’t that just too predictable?

Participants should undoubtedly activate their analytical minds, carefully examine the videos, and identify the crucial terms required to search the database for additional clips and reveal more facts. Their sleuthing abilities will be challenged, and they must determine the truth themselves, as three distinct and highly convincing theories are presented throughout the narrative.

1. Gabriel Knight: Sins Of The Fathers

Sierra’s Games Have Faded Into Obscurity

Sierra Entertainment was once a prominent figure in the realm of mystery-themed point-and-click adventures, creating games like King’s Quest and Gabriel Knight. However, since many of these games were developed before the turn of the 21st Century, modern gamers might raise an eyebrow and shrug if asked about Sierra games they’ve heard of, leaving most of these titles in a shroud of obscurity.

Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers could be one of their finest games, where you follow the adventures of Gabriel Knight, a self-proclaimed ladies man, as he delves into the peculiar happenings in New Orleans. Unraveling a family secret becomes his mission as he investigates. Despite not being an official detective, Gabriel shows that he is more than capable of handling the case that endangers the city, and also uncovering the enigma surrounding his family history.

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2025-03-23 10:35