Detective Pikachu Returns

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Detective Pikachu Returns are varied, but there are several positive aspects that stand out. Many critics praise the continuation of the story from the previous game, with Tim Goodman's search for his missing father being a central focus. The game is described as charming, funny, and endearing, with a delightful duo in Pikachu and Tim. Critics such as God is a Geek and Vooks highlight the enjoyable and light-hearted nature of the story, while Inverse mentions the overflowing charm and kitschy humor that hooks the reviewer. The story also tackles more mature themes than expected, as noted by GGRecon and GamesHub, exploring topics such as police corruption, global warming, and ethical dilemmas. The narrative is commended for its intelligent and clever details, creating a strong sense of belonging for fans, as mentioned by Multiplayer.it. On the other hand, there are some criticisms regarding the story of Detective Pikachu Returns. Some critics, like But Why Tho? and Metro GameCentral, mention that the narrative can feel weighed down by tedious and unnecessary extra steps, which can hinder the overall flow of the story. The pacing is also mentioned as a drawback by TheGamer, who notes that the plot can draw out cases after they have been solved, leading to a slower pace. Additionally, Game Informer highlights the impact of the discrepancy between the previous game and movie adaptation on the story, which may affect the overall coherence and evolution of the relationship between Tim and Detective Pikachu. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the story of Detective Pikachu Returns is enjoyable and engaging, with a satisfying resolution. The narrative is praised for its charming and well-told nature, as mentioned by GamePro Germany. The game successfully continues the story from the previous game and movie adaptation, providing a narrative-focused experience that appeals to fans, as noted by Nintenderos and Press Start Australia. The inclusion of deeper themes and more mature content is appreciated, adding depth and complexity to the story, as highlighted by GamesHub and GGRecon. While there are some criticisms regarding pacing and unnecessary elements, the overall sentiment is positive, with critics finding the story of Detective Pikachu Returns to be endearing, exciting, and worthy of exploration.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Detective Pikachu Returns are quite varied. Some critics, such as Game Informer and GamesHub, appreciate the gameplay for its exploration of the world, gathering clues, and compiling evidence. They also mention the quality-of-life options and the ability to team up with other Pokémon as positive additions. The gameplay is described as accessible and suitable for younger Pokémon fans, providing a sense of satisfaction when solving puzzles and dilemmas. On the other hand, several critics express negative opinions about the gameplay. Critics like But Why Tho?, COGconnected, Gamepressure, and GamesRadar+ criticize the gameplay for being shallow, repetitive, and not very engaging. They mention simplistic puzzles, extended investigation sequences, and repetitive dialogue as factors that make the gameplay tiresome and frustrating. Some critics, like Metro GameCentral and PCMag, highlight that the gameplay is significantly dumbed down compared to the original, with very little in terms of real gameplay and a simple loop that becomes less engaging over time. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a mixed opinion regarding the gameplay of Detective Pikachu Returns. While some critics appreciate the gameplay for its accessibility, satisfaction in solving puzzles, and the addition of quality-of-life options, others criticize it for its shallowness, repetitiveness, and lack of engagement. The gameplay is described as linear, simplistic, and dialogue-heavy, with a focus on gathering clues, solving cases, and interacting with characters and Pokémon. It is worth noting that the critics' opinions vary in terms of their preferences and expectations, with some finding the gameplay enjoyable and suitable for younger audiences, while others find it lacking depth and challenge.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Detective Pikachu Returns are quite diverse. However, there are several positive aspects that stand out. Critics such as But Why Tho?, COGconnected, GamesHub, and Twinfinite praise the vibrant and colorful visuals, with eye-popping colors and cute character designs that bring the adorable world of Pokemon to life. They appreciate the unique aesthetic that juxtaposes the dark themes of the game, creating a visually appealing experience. Additionally, Game Informer and Nintenderos mention that the simple, cartoony visuals are a step up from the previous game on the 3DS and continue the visual style of the original game, respectively. On the other hand, there are critics who express negative opinions about the graphics and visual design of Detective Pikachu Returns. GGRecon, Gamepressure, Gamereactor UK, GamesRadar+, GamingBolt, Metro GameCentral, PCMag, Screen Rant, and VGC all criticize various aspects of the visuals. They mention that the graphics look dated, with some describing them as dull, ugly, poor, disappointing, and distractingly bad. These critics highlight issues such as limited animation, small gameplay areas, empty and uninspired environments, awkward and stiff character animations, and lack of interesting framing and textures. Some also mention performance issues and inconsistencies in the human character design. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a mixed opinion regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Detective Pikachu Returns. While some critics appreciate the vibrant and fun presentation, praising the adorable world of Pokemon brought to life, others find the visuals to be dated, lacking expressiveness, and not up to the standard expected. The positive aspects mentioned include the eye-popping colors, cute character designs, and the continuation of the visual style from the previous game. However, the negative aspects mentioned include issues with character animations, environments, and human character design. It is worth noting that despite the varied opinions, several critics acknowledge that the visuals serve their purpose adequately or add flavor to the overall experience.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Detective Pikachu Returns are varied. Overall, there are several positive aspects mentioned by the critics. COGconnected praises Pikachu's voice acting, describing it as the standout performance. GameSpot mentions that the game features expressive and animated cutscenes with occasional jokes and visual gags, adding personality to the overall experience. Gamepressure highlights the charming and well-voiced Pokémon buddies that break up the normal flow of gameplay. Inverse describes the soundtrack as fantastic jazz that adds a sense of film-noir, and the voice acting is praised as exceptional. Press Start Australia also mentions that the soundtrack is enjoyable, featuring jazzy detective tunes and unexpected dance pop beats. These positive opinions indicate that the sound design and music contribute positively to the overall experience of Detective Pikachu Returns. However, there are also some negative aspects mentioned by the critics. COGconnected criticizes the voice acting, stating that it is stilted and wooden, except for Pikachu. GamingBolt mentions that while the voice work for the main characters is surprisingly strong, the cutscene direction and music let down the voice work. Nintenduo states that while the music is correct, the songs do not always fit well with the situations in the game. Twinfinite expresses dislike for the elevator-style background music, which detracts from the audio experience. These negative opinions suggest that there are some areas in the sound design and music of Detective Pikachu Returns that could be improved. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While there are positive aspects mentioned, such as the expressive cutscenes, charming Pokémon buddies, and enjoyable soundtrack, there are also negative aspects, such as stilted voice acting and mismatched music. Some critics, like VGC, mention that the voice acting is uneven, while others, like Vooks, highlight specific performances as fantastic. The overall sentiment leans towards a positive experience, with the sound design and music contributing positively to the charm and atmosphere of Detective Pikachu Returns. However, there is room for improvement in certain areas to create a more cohesive and immersive audio experience.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers regarding the voice acting in Detective Pikachu Returns, it is evident that there are both positive and negative sentiments expressed. Starting with the positives, several critics highlight Pikachu's voice acting as a standout performance. GamePro Germany and Vooks specifically mention Kaiji Tang's portrayal of Detective Pikachu as fantastic and a highlight of the game. GameSpot and Gamereactor UK also praise Pikachu's gruff and gravelly voice, noting that it adds to the character's charm. TheGamer further emphasizes the positive reception towards Pikachu's voice acting, describing it as praised. On the other hand, there are some negative opinions regarding the voice acting in Detective Pikachu Returns. COGconnected criticizes the voice acting as stilted and wooden, with the English dubbing being particularly rough. Additionally, GamePro Germany mentions that the lack of language options, with only English or Japanese voice acting available, may disappoint younger fans. TheGamer also criticizes the voice acting of the human characters, describing them as stilted, awkward, and lacking complexity. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards positive sentiments regarding the voice acting in Detective Pikachu Returns. The majority of reviewers, including Gamepressure, GamingBolt, God is a Geek, Inverse, Nintenduo, PCMag, and Vooks, express satisfaction with the voice work. They highlight Pikachu's voice acting as delightful, exceptional, charming, and a highlight of the game. While there are some criticisms towards the voice acting of the human characters, the overall sentiment is that the voice acting, particularly for Detective Pikachu, is strong and enjoyable. The unevenness and stilted nature of some human voices are acknowledged, but it does not overshadow the positive reception towards the game's voice acting as a whole.

In terms of the Technical Performance for Detective Pikachu Returns on the Nintendo Switch, the critics had mixed opinions. Some critics, such as GamingBolt and Nintenduo, praised the game for its steady performance and stable frame rate. This indicates that players can expect a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience without any major technical hiccups. Additionally, Vooks mentioned that there were no massive performance issues, suggesting that the game runs relatively well overall. However, there were also some negative aspects mentioned by the critics. Game Informer criticized the environmental navigation, stating that it felt stuck in the past and highlighted pesky loading screens when moving between areas. This could potentially disrupt the flow of gameplay and immersion. God is a Geek also mentioned that while the game runs well in both handheld and docked modes, the loading times could be improved. VGC specifically pointed out performance issues in docked mode, particularly during transitions between areas, while handheld mode seemed to have fewer issues. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Detective Pikachu Returns has a decent technical performance on the Nintendo Switch. The game generally runs well, with steady performance and a stable frame rate. However, there are some areas that could be improved, such as the environmental navigation and loading times, especially in docked mode. It is worth noting that the opinions of the critics varied, with some experiencing more issues than others. Nonetheless, the general sentiment suggests that the technical performance of Detective Pikachu Returns on the Nintendo Switch is satisfactory, but not without its flaws.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers regarding the replay value of Detective Pikachu Returns, it is clear that there are both positive and negative aspects to consider. Some critics, such as GamingBolt and VGC, highlight the game's charm and appeal to younger players, with GamingBolt specifically mentioning the enjoyment for long-time fans and the ease of picking up and playing. This suggests that the game provides a positive experience for its target audience, introducing them to the mystery genre and offering fan-service. Additionally, the inclusion of small side quests, as mentioned by Vooks, adds charm and interest to the overall gameplay experience. On the other hand, there are several criticisms raised by critics. Game Informer points out that the side missions in Detective Pikachu Returns offer little payoff, while GamePro Germany mentions that the repetitive gameplay and simple cases may not be engaging enough for older Pokémon fans. Furthermore, God is a Geek criticizes the game for being very easy and lacking real fail states, which may result in a lack of challenge and potential boredom for some players. Metro GameCentral also raises concerns about the game's length, suggesting that younger players may struggle to maintain attention throughout the 15+ hours of gameplay. Overall, the consensus among the critics seems to be mixed. While there are positive aspects such as the game's charm, appeal to younger players, and inclusion of side quests, there are also negative aspects such as repetitive gameplay, lack of challenge, and potential boredom. The lack of replayability beyond the main cases is also mentioned by critics like GamesHub and Screen Rant. However, it is important to note that Detective Pikachu Returns seems to be designed with a specific target audience in mind, as emphasized by critics like Nintendo Life and VGC. The game appears to be a suitable introduction to the mystery genre for young players, but may not offer as much for older fans of Pokémon.