Duck Detective: The Secret Salami Review

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Fast Facts

A webbing of lies and mystery

In Duck Detective: The Secret Salami, players are thrust into the quirky world of Eugene McQuacklin, a duck detective whose fortunes have taken a nosedive. Your mission is to help him get his ducks in a row and solve the bizarre case of the Salami Bandit. From the very beginning, the game sets a humorous tone, filled with feathered puns and playful dialogue that keep you entertained throughout. The plot unfolds in a charmingly absurd manner, as you use your de-duck-tion skills to piece together clues and uncover the truth behind the salami-stealing spree.

What makes the story particularly engaging is the way it encourages critical thinking. Every interaction, whether it’s with a suspect or an inanimate object, holds a piece of the puzzle. You’re constantly reminded to pay attention to the details, as seemingly insignificant clues often play a crucial role in solving the case.

The game also does a fantastic job of making you feel like a true detective by allowing you to choose who to arrest in the end. This decision isn’t just a formality; it’s a culmination of your investigative efforts, and the game’s writing makes this moment both challenging and rewarding.

One minor gripe with the story is that some plot points, like the unclear motive of one character, can leave you scratching your head. However, these moments are few and far between. The narrative is otherwise well-crafted, filled with intriguing twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. The adorable Duck Detective stamp of approval you receive after solving the case is a delightful touch that adds to the game’s charm.

A Pond-erful Point-and-Click Adventure

Duck Detective: The Secret Salami offers a balanced gameplay experience with two distinct modes: story mode and detective mode. Story mode is perfect for first-time players or those looking for a more relaxed experience, guiding you through the investigative process at a comfortable pace. Detective mode, on the other hand, is designed for seasoned sleuths who want a more challenging experience, requiring sharper de-duck-tion skills and greater attention to detail.

The game spans approximately 2-3 hours, providing a concise yet satisfying mystery to unravel. The gameplay is intuitive, with a point-and-click interface that makes navigation and interaction straightforward.

However, there are moments when the game relies a bit too heavily on guesswork. For example, solving the code for a safe felt more like a frustrating exercise in trial and error rather than a logical deduction based on available clues. Despite these occasional hiccups, the majority of puzzles are well-designed and rewarding to solve, especially when you piece together information you’ve gathered from various sources.

One of the standout features of Duck Detective is its non-linear approach to investigation. You’re encouraged to revisit characters and locations after discovering new clues, which adds depth to the gameplay and makes you feel more like a real detective. This mechanic ensures that the game doesn’t become a monotonous series of tasks, but rather a dynamic and engaging mystery where your actions and observations continuously shape the unfolding narrative.

Duckin’ Great Graphics

The visual style of Duck Detective is one of its most charming aspects. The characters are designed with a vibrant, sticker-like quality that makes them stand out against the more subdued backgrounds. This artistic choice not only adds a layer of visual appeal but also helps you identify key characters and objects that are crucial to your investigation.

The cartoonish aesthetic fits perfectly with the game’s lighthearted tone, making every interaction feel lively and engaging. The environments in the game are thoughtfully designed, with each location offering a unique backdrop for your detective work.

From the bustling city streets to the cosy interiors of suspects’ homes, the attention to detail in the backgrounds creates an immersive world that feels both familiar and whimsical. The visual cues are clear and intuitive, ensuring that you can focus on solving the mystery without getting lost in overly complex scenery.

Additionally, the character animations and expressions are delightfully exaggerated, enhancing the overall comedic tone of the game. Whether it’s the disgruntled customer service cat or the suspiciously serene yoga instructor, each character’s design and animation contribute to their personality and the narrative. This visual storytelling complements the written dialogue, creating a cohesive and enjoyable experience.

Fowl Play: Meet the Characters

The characters in Duck Detective are a delightful mix of quirky personalities, each adding their own flavour to the story. Eugene McQuacklin, the protagonist, is a lovable underdog whose determination and wit make him an endearing guide through the game’s mysteries. The supporting cast is equally memorable, with each character’s unique traits and stories contributing to the overall narrative.

The game’s writing excels at creating emotional connections, making you invested in the characters’ fates. Interactions with the characters are not just about gathering clues; they’re about understanding motives and personalities. Character depth shines in dialogue, brimming with humour, wit, and poignant moments.

The game does an excellent job of making you care about the suspects, even when you’re trying to figure out if they’re guilty. This emotional investment makes the final decision of who to arrest genuinely challenging. You weigh the evidence against your personal feelings about each character.

One minor flaw is the occasional lack of clarity in some characters’ motives, which can lead to a bit of confusion. However, this doesn’t significantly detract from the overall experience. The majority of the characters are well-developed and their stories intertwine beautifully, creating a rich tapestry that enhances the mystery and keeps you engaged from start to finish.

Quacking Good Audio: Sound that Delights

The audio design in Duck Detective is a standout feature that significantly enhances the game’s immersive experience. The voice acting is superb, with each character’s voice reflecting their personality perfectly.

From Eugene’s determined-yet-slightly-weary tone to the customer service cat’s hilarious yowling, the vocal performances add depth and humour to the narrative. The dialogue is delivered with excellent timing and inflection, making interactions with characters more engaging and entertaining.

The game’s soundtrack complements its cosy, whimsical atmosphere. The music is carefully composed to enhance the mood without overwhelming the gameplay. It ranges from lighthearted and playful during exploratory phases to tense and suspenseful when you’re piecing together critical clues. This dynamic soundtrack helps maintain a steady pace and keeps you emotionally invested in the story.

Sound effects are another highlight, with each action accompanied by satisfying audio cues. Whether it’s the rustle of papers as you examine clues or the creak of a door as you enter a new room, these sounds add a layer of realism to the game. The combination of voice acting, music, and sound effects creates a fully immersive auditory experience. It immerses you in Eugene McQuacklin’s world, enhancing the journey to solve the Salami Bandit case.

Final Quack-clusions

Duck Detective: The Secret Salami adds delightful humour, engaging gameplay and charming visuals to cosy mystery. The intuitive interface and clever puzzles suit all players, with a non-linear story for depth and replay value. The game’s story and characters are compelling, drawing you into a whimsical world where every detail matters.

The occasional moments of guesswork and minor plot holes are small blemishes on an otherwise stellar game. The delightful audio design and vibrant graphics more than make up for these issues, and create an immersive and enjoyable experience. Fans of detective games and cosy mysteries will find much to love in Duck Detective: The Secret Salami. Dive into Duck Detective: The Secret Salami for a quackin’ good time. Solve mysteries with witty gameplay, charming characters, and delightful visuals! Solving crime is no walk in the pond, but when you’re a duck, it’s an adventure worth quacking about.

Watch the first hour of Gameplay from
The Duck Detective: The Secret Salami

You can purchase Duck Detective: The Secret Salami from the Nintendo eShop.