Master Detective Archives: Rain Code Reviews
An outstanding mystery adventure that is a must-play on Nintendo Switch
Pacing and loading issues aside, the signature brand of storytelling that made the Danganronpa trilogy so refreshing is on full display here. I genuinely grew to adore the pairing of Yuma and Shinigami by the game's end, and that's a testament to how well both characters are written and voiced. There are some rough patches in this murder-filled mystery adventure, but it's a ride well worth experiencing.
The genre of crime stories visual novels is alive and if you want to deep dive into demanding cases, you have a very good chance here. There is a strong script with excellent characters, tricky murders and strong investigation. The overall Atmosphere, places and music are helping a lot too.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Rain Code falters in too many areas for it to be seen as a true or great successor to Danganronpa. There are sparks of light, such as its setting and the twists featured in the final chapters, but the ridiculously linear Mystery Labyrinths, poorly written characters, long load times and graphical issues set things back. Danganronpa and whodunnit fans will still find something worthwhile here, but wait for a discount.
Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE exudes a personality and style that differentiates it from its peers, and each individual chapter is brilliantly written and highly entertaining. Despite offering very little variety in terms of gameplay, each Mystery Labyrinth you’ll enter over the course of the game feels fresh and enjoyable thanks to the excellent storytelling and presentation. It is fortunate that this is what makes up the majority of the game, because the overarching narrative surrounding the mystery of Kanai Ward is often an unwelcome distraction from the case at hand, leading to a conclusion that is less satisfying than it could have been had more time been spent on setting it up over the course of the game. The blurry visuals and occasionally erratic performance can also occasionally break immersion in the fantastic set pieces on display in Mystery Labyrinths and the gloomy ambience of Kanai Ward. But even with those caveats, Rain Code is still a mystery adventure that is more than worth your time to solve.
The creative team behind Danganronpa and, now, Rain Code, are a rare group in video games. They know how to entertain – I didn’t even mention the “replacement” for Monokuma in this game, but Shinigami the ghostly reaper is somehow even more brilliant foil and source of sadistic humour than the iconic bear. But under all the hyper-colourful art, the mysteries that would give Sherlock Holmes a run for his money, and the sheer energy and panache of it all, they also offer something intensely thoughtful with a strong and blunt message to share. As much as I loved Danganronpa, by the end of the third in that series I did think they were running out of ideas. As it turns out, all they needed was a new creative playground.
Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE is a great mix of investigation, crazy word battles, and humour with a great cast of characters. If you enjoy solving mysteries and interesting stories, I am sure you will love this game.
Whether or not I can recommend Master Detective Archives: Rain Code depends on whether you liked Spike Chunsoft’s previous works and if you’re a fan of the detective genre. There are a lot of flaws with the game’s direction especially when it comes to its pacing and gameplay mechanics. However, if you can push through those, you’ll find yourself having a great time with this game.
Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE does a good job of refreshing the mystery solving formula with fun mini-games and an attractive neon city backdrop; that is, if you can sit through hours of banter between the more enjoyable parts.
Master Detective Archives: Rain Code Plus is just what Danganronpa fans have been waiting for for years. The game takes elements that seem familiar to those who are already fans of the Kodaka's franchise, but still adds many original elements. It's not perfect, of course, especially with its performance bottlenecks and some bugs that are probably the result of a lack of optimization. However, the expressive characters and dialogue are comical and incredible, and I'd say the best part is that the game is now available on multiple platforms, meaning there's no excuse not to play this game.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
While I enjoyed the narrative parts of Master Detective Archives: Rain Code, the same cannot be said for the gameplay. With a wonderfully twisted story that truly is a grand mystery, the gameplay struggles to have that same level of oomph, and unfortunately struggles to be both engaging and memorable.
Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE fully realizes what its creators, the same ingenious (and somewhat twisted) minds behind the Danganronpa saga, hoped for. In taking up that legacy, Yuma and Shinigami's adventure is a gripping detective story, full of charm and food for thought, aided by the eccentricity of some (several) of its ideas. The end result is a fascinating and peculiar blend that draws as much from Phoenix Wright as it does from Persona, while preserving a very specific identity even at the expense of some technical uncertainties and verbiage that is significant at times. A rare and shining example of exquisitely Japanese creativity and flair: probably not a product for everyone, but invaluable precisely because of its proud uniqueness.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Despite some frustrating issues in character development and the tedious, long and empty corridors that it hardly uses well, Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus is a high level adventure game. Its thrilling mysteries filled with twists are curious enough to be worth the investment, as is the rewarding feeling of agency during the labyrinth exploration.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE+ is phenomenal on the PS5. I tinkered with it on the PS Portal and having that portability with the raw power of this behemoth of a console made for a pleasure like I’ve never felt before. Moreover, this is Danganronpa, but with the various mechanics jumbled. The spirit of the trilogy is intact and it’s potent. You’d actually have to be blind not to see it. There are faults to it, of course, but nothing that derailed my session. I never felt like jumping ship.
Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus is a compelling blend of detective work, action, and fantasy that keeps players engaged from start to finish. The dark narrative and complex mysteries are perfectly complemented by fast-paced sequences and deep character development. With the added bonus of new content in the Plus edition, including the extra subchapters and performance upgrades, the game stands as a must-play for both mystery enthusiasts and fans of the Danganronpa series. If you’re ready to step into a world of endless rain and unsolved crimes, RAIN CODE Plus offers an immersive and unforgettable journey.
Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus delivers mysteries that will keep players coming back for more all while dripping with style and is only hindered by some drawn out dungeons.
For those who love a (long) mystery story, looking for clues, reading endless dialogues and getting lost in neon-lit alleyways, Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE is a perfect proposition.
Review in Greek | Read full review
Master Detective Archives: Rain Code is a trippy game that feels like a slightly tamer, though not quite family-friendly, version of the Danganronpa series. Great for lovers of the weird and whimsical.
I never thought I would leave with a smile on my lips from a murder mystery game in which solving murders is the least successful part, but Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE surprised me. It's a pleasure to get to know the central mysteries, characters, and locations of Kanai Ward, regardless of the ease of the crimes or some technical problems. With this title, Too Kyo Games and Spike Chunsoft have established an interesting reinterpretation of Danganronpa's mechanics, which we eagerly hope will be used as a basis and improved in new adventures by these elite detectives.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Master Detective Archives: Rain Code is one of the best games of its genre, with charisma, intriguing cases and a complete story, but its blatant fanservice prevents it from being an outstanding game.
Review in Spanish | Read full review