Detective Pikachu Reviews

Detective Pikachu is ranked in the 48th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Geeks Under Grace
Juliana Purnell
7.5 / 10.0
Jun 10, 2019

Detective Pikachu offers a refreshingly different kind of story set in the Pokémon world, although the gameplay proves too simplistic for adult players.

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Apr 2, 2018

"Surprisingly fun and cleverly written detective story."

Review in Finnish | Read full review

7.3 / 10.0
Mar 31, 2018

Missing Challenges and unimaginative riddles make this game only recommandable for hardcore Pokemon Fans

Review in German | Read full review

Recommended
Apr 1, 2018

Though the game does fall into the trap of becoming repetitive at times, with not a lot to do post game, Detective Pikachu is still a pretty decent spin-off which lets you see another perspective in the Pokémon world for both fans and newcomers.

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Goomba Stomp
Maxwell N
5.2 / 10.0
Mar 30, 2018

While Detective Pikachu's core concept might be a bolt of brilliance, its utilization as an adventure game is anything but.

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7 / 10.0
Apr 2, 2018

Detective Pikachu, although limiting at times, was a good adventure puzzle game for all ages and more so for Pokémon fans but in the same breath it just is not a game that is capable of sending the 3DS off well in its last days of life.

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8 / 10
Mar 29, 2018

His lightning-quick powers of deduction and obsession with gulping down coffee blends from High Hat Café aside, the greatest praise that I can throw at Detective Pikachu is how it always felt like you were really working alongside the electric mouse. And, as we cracked our last case, I can only hope that this is only the start of our adventures together.

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6.8 / 10.0
Mar 30, 2018

Detective Pikachu is the beginning of a new franchise that still has a long way to go compared to games of the same genre. With an intriguing story and a very accomplished graphic section you will enter the world of the protagonist and his electric friend.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

7 / 10.0
Jun 7, 2018

Detective Pikachu is an interesting spin off to say the least, while it doesn’t really add anything to the puzzle or visual novel genre, it is still a charming adventure.

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7 / 10.0
Apr 17, 2018

Detective Pikachu is a must play for Pokémon fans everywhere.

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6.1 / 10.0
Mar 31, 2018

Detective Pikachu is a cute and fun little game but it only offers enough challenge to satisfy an elementary school student.

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Digiato
Arash Parsapour
Top Critic
79 / 100
Jul 8, 2018

Detective Pikachu takes about 9 hours of your time, which most of this time is filled with funny scenes and enjoyable moments especially for the fans of the series. If you already have a 3DS at home, you should be playing it by now.

Review in Persian | Read full review

Cubed3
Top Critic
7 / 10
Mar 31, 2018

Detective Pikachu is a fresh look at a franchise that's been constantly evolving - pun intended - for the best part of two decades. From fighting games to intense dungeon crawlers, numerous animated films to cameo cross-overs, Pokémon has proven itself to be a massively versatile series. This new story explores a different snippet of this expansive world, the first steps into what may well prove to be another direction for Nintendo and The Pokémon Company to venture down. The game is packed full of humour, challenging puzzles, and an amusing pair of lead characters. It isn't without its faults, but there's enough here for an ultimately rewarding tale and the potential to develop the formula further in the future.

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7.5 / 10.0
Apr 2, 2018

Detective Pikachu is a solid, unique spinoff in the Pokemon series that stands out from other spinoffs. It's a relatively easy point-and-click adventure game that won't take much to complete in a few sittings. But some aspects of the gameplay do get clever, and the story does resonate. It's nothing revolutionary, but I can always appreciate a fun with a fun feel and colorful aesthetic.

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Mar 30, 2018

It's a relaxing, joyful, clever and witty little game that really makes the most of its oddball concept. Most importantly of all, it's memorable. You're not going to forget your time with Detective Pikachu in a hurry, and those memories are going to be all very positive.

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7.7 / 10.0
Jan 1, 1970

Detective Pikachu is an ambitious proposal with an acceptable execution. Take the amazing world of Pokémon and give it an interesting twist. The game experience is accessible to everyone. However, it may be too easy for some players.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

6 / 10.0
Apr 20, 2018

Detective Pikachu is certainly the boldest game in the Pokemon franchise, but delivers too little in the gameplay aspect. With a linear story and puzzles that lack challenge, the game is suited mostly for very young players.

Review in Slovak | Read full review

B
Apr 20, 2018

Some players will get frustrated having to figure out the puzzles in the exact way the game dictates, and they can get a little monotonous at times, but the game's style and humor will make most Pokémon fans grin from ear-to-ear. Hopefully the live-action film will produce similar results.

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Nintendo News
Top Critic
6 / 10.0
Mar 30, 2018

Given the game’s lucrative appeal, Detective Pikachu comes up short. It’s a real shame the game’s intriguing cast of characters and witty scripting isn’t paired with inviting, challenging gameplay. The overwhelming laziness, coupled with its push on youngsters to give up so easily, reveals weaknesses in its structure. Detective Pikachu needs more than a (thunder) bolt of brilliance to land a critical hit; after all, it’s just not very effective.

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Scarlet Bell
Top Critic
7.8 / 10.0
Mar 28, 2018

Detective Pikachu is a game I feel is held back by its overly child-friendly ideas. I can wholeheartedly recommend this to those wishing for their children to experience Pokemon in a new light, but older fans of the series will be left underwhelmed.

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