Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is a delightful take to the mystery detective genre. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami Review Overview
What is Duck Detective: The Secret Salami?
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is a narrative adventure game where you step into the webbed feet of Detective Duck Eugene McQuacklin, a down-on-his-luck detective unraveling a sinister sausage-based conspiracy. Described by the developers as a blend of Aggretsuko and Return of the Obra Dinn, this game leverages the power of "deducktion" to inspect evidence, fill in the blanks, and solve the case in a world where no one can be trusted.
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami features:
⚫︎ Mystery Detective
⚫︎ Fun and Lighthearted Experience
⚫︎ Charming 2D Animation
⚫︎ Case and Puzzle Solving
⚫︎ Comprehensive Voice Acting
⚫︎ Helpful In-Game Assistance
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Duck Detective: The Secret Salami's gameplay and story.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Steam |
 Switch |
 Xbox |
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Duck Detective: The Secret Salami Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Detective & Story Mode Engaging Investigative Work Well-Paced Story |
Short Gameplay Unresolved Subplot |
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami Overall Score - 94/100
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is a delightful and captivating addition to the mystery detective genre. It keeps you entertained for a fair amount of time, providing a perfect blend of humor and depth. The game challenges you to test your investigative skills by gathering evidence and drawing your own conclusions. As you progress, the narrative becomes increasingly intricate, ensuring a rewarding experience from start to finish.
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami Story - 9/10
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami excels in delivering a compelling narrative. You control the life of the relatable, poor, and anxious Detective McQuacklin. The game portrays his struggles and anxieties, allowing you to empathize with him at his lowest points. As the story unfolds, it becomes evident how brilliant of a detective he truly is. The investigation into the salami case delves deeper than it initially appears, revealing a complex plot that keeps you hooked until the very end.
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami Gameplay - 10/10
The Secret Salami features intuitive point-and-click mechanics, with the option to use your keyboard for navigation, making the gameplay user-friendly. The various mechanics are well-arranged, providing a seamless and interesting experience. Before drawing your conclusions, you must first identify the suspects, adding a strategic layer to the investigative process. This structure encourages thorough exploration and careful consideration of the evidence, enhancing the overall detective experience.
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami Visuals - 9/10
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami boasts charming 2D animation that gives the game its unique and quirky aesthetic. Detective McQuacklin's movements are visually entertaining, adding to the game's overall appeal. What truly stands out are the cut scenes that occur during significant events, elevating the visual experience and immersing players in the narrative. These cut scenes are beautifully crafted, enhancing the storytelling and making key moments more impactful.
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami Audio - 9/10
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami excels in its audio design, featuring comprehensive voice acting that brings every character to life with unique personalities. Detective McQuacklin's internal monologues are particularly well-done, adding depth and humor to his character. The game also boasts an alluring background music (BGM) that perfectly complements the mystery aspect, enhancing the overall atmosphere and immersion.
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami Value for Money - 10/10
At a price of $8.99, Duck Detective: The Secret Salami offers exceptional value. The game provides a 2-3 hour experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. You'll test your skills in case solving and mystery, all while enjoying a humorous yet deep storyline. For its modest price, the game delivers a memorable and worthwhile adventure that stands out in the genre.
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami Review: Specquackcular Powers of Deducktion
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is a gem for those who want a lighter take on mystery detective games. From the very beginning, you are immediately captivated by Detective Duck Eugene McQuacklin, a character whose relatable and sometimes pessimistic outlook adds a unique charm to the game. His journey from rock bottom to uncovering complex conspiracies makes for a compelling narrative that draws you in.
Humor is this game's strongest suit. The witty dialogue and quirky interactions are filled with jokes that resonate with the chronically online, especially through the objects and evidence you uncover. This makes the game a hit for Gen Z and younger audiences. The game does an excellent job of balancing humor with the seriousness of detective work, ensuring that the light-hearted moments enhance rather than detract from the mystery-solving experience.
The gameplay also deserves its own recognition. Duck Detective offers an intuitive point-and-click system that allows you to gather evidence, piece it together, and draw your own conclusions. This investigative work is enticing and makes you feel like a true detective. Identifying suspects and understanding their roles adds another layer of complexity and satisfaction to the gameplay. The mechanics are well-designed, making the process of solving each case both challenging and rewarding. This enticing gameplay is sure to invite all ages, providing a universal appeal that transcends generational boundaries.
Just when you think the game is about to conclude, you’re swayed by another mystery that needs solving. This unexpected twist adds depth to the story and provides further insight into the characters' motivations. The narrative's pacing is masterful, gradually revealing secrets that keep you hooked from start to finish.
However, one aspect that could be improved is the resolution of a secondary mystery. Without giving away any spoilers, there's a subplot that doesn’t receive the same satisfying conclusion as the main case. While the primary storyline wraps up nicely, this unresolved thread leaves a sense of unfinished business. It’s not a deal-breaker, but a more comprehensive ending for all storylines would have elevated the game further.
The game’s length, clocking in at 2-3 hours, is just right to keep you engaged. However, an additional 30 minutes to an hour could have provided the necessary time to tie up loose ends and offer a more fulfilling conclusion. This slight extension would have made an already great game even better.
Overall, Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is a delightful and captivating experience that combines humor, enjoyable gameplay, and a compelling narrative. Its unique take on the detective genre makes it a standout title, particularly for younger audiences. However, its charm and pleasant gameplay make it enjoyable for all ages. Despite minor shortcomings, it delivers a memorable and enjoyable adventure that is well worth its price. For those who love mystery and humor, this game is a must-play.
Pros of Duck Detective: The Secret Salami
| Things Duck Detective: The Secret Salami Got Right |
|---|
|
Detective & Story Mode Engaging Investigative Work Well-Paced Story |
Detective & Story Mode
The game offers two distinct levels of difficulty to cater to different player preferences. In Story Mode, you'll receive additional information and helpful hints whenever you're stuck, making it accessible for those who enjoy a guided narrative experience. For those seeking a more challenging adventure, Detective Mode strips away these aids, requiring keen observation and critical thinking to solve the case. This dual-mode system ensures that both casual players and hardcore mystery enthusiasts find the gameplay satisfying.
Engaging Investigative Work
Duck Detective immerses you in the role of a seasoned investigator. Much like Sherlock Holmes, you'll piece together clues from crime scenes, interrogate a variety of quirky suspects, and employ the unique de-duck-tion
method to link evidence and draw conclusions. The investigative mechanics are well-designed, making you feel like a true detective unraveling a complex conspiracy, adding a layer of depth and fascination to the gameplay.
Well-Paced Story
The narrative pacing in Duck Detective is masterfully executed. The story unfolds at a deliberate pace, ensuring that each revelation feels earned and impactful. As you progress, the mystery of the salami case deepens, with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. The gradual uncovering of motives and identities creates a compelling sense of progression, making the overall experience both intriguing and satisfying.
Cons of Duck Detective: The Secret Salami
| Things That Duck Detective: The Secret Salami Can Improve |
|---|
|
Short Gameplay Unresolved Subplot |
Short Gameplay
With a playtime of only 2-3 hours, players might find themselves yearning for more from this exciting detective adventure. By the end of the game, you might feel like you've just started getting to know Detective McQuacklin's personality and quirks, leaving you wishing for more cases to solve and more time to spend in his whimsical world. The brevity of the experience could leave fans craving additional content and further adventures.
Unresolved Subplot
Without delving into spoilers, there is a subplot in the game that feels incomplete, lacking a satisfying resolution. Unlike the main case, where players have the agency to decide the outcome, this particular subplot is left hanging without a proper conclusion. This loose end can be frustrating, as it stands in contrast to the otherwise well-crafted and tightly-woven narrative, leaving players with a sense of unfinished business.
Is Duck Detective: The Secret Salami Worth It?
Quack The Case Today!
Without a doubt, Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is worth every penny. Whether you're a seasoned sleuth or just dipping your toes into the world of mystery games, this feathered adventure offers a delightful blend of humor, engaging gameplay, and compelling storytelling. With its intuitive mechanics, charming characters, and well-crafted narrative, Duck Detective promises entertainment and laughter.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam |
Switch |
Xbox |
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| $9.99 | |||||
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami FAQ
Who voiced Duck Detective Eugine McQuacklin?
Duck Detective Eugene McQuacklin is brought to life by voice actor, Sean Chiplock.
Is Duck Detective: The Secret Salami A Franchise?
No, Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is a standalone title. However, Happy Broccoli, the developer, has created other cozy games such as Kraken Academy and Odyssey Island.
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Duck Detective: The Secret Salami Product Information
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| Title | DUCK DETECTIVE: THE SECRET SALAMI |
|---|---|
| Release Date | MAY 23, 2024 |
| Developer | Happy Broccoli Games |
| Publisher | Happy Broccoli Games |
| Supported Platforms | PC, Nintendo Switch |
| Genre | Casual, Detective, Adventure |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | Everyone |
| Official Website | Duck Detective: The Secret Salami Website |
