Detective Dotson Review (PC)

Detective Dotson is a cozy adventure game that invites players into a world full of mystery, humor, and colorful culture. It’s about Dotson, a guy who never wanted to be a detective but is thrust into the role after his father’s mysterious death. But before diving into the mystery, there’s something a little different about this game. Players need to watch a 60-minute movie before playing. While this might seem unusual, it actually sets up the game’s story and characters, providing an essential foundation. Now, let’s explore what makes Detective Dotson such a fun adventure, where it excels, and where it could improve.

The Movie

Before the actual gameplay begins, Detective Dotson asks players to watch a 60-minute movie. This might sound strange at first, but it’s really important. The movie serves as a prequel, giving the backstory on how Dotson became a detective and introducing key plot points. It helps set the stage for the main game, laying out details like Dotson’s mysterious family situation and the shady Tupka Corporation that plays a big role in the plot.

Of course, watching a movie before playing a game isn’t common. However,  the movie is entertaining, with great action, humor, and impressive visuals. The art style mixes 2D pixel art with 3D environments, creating a unique look that carries over into the game. Players who skip this part might find themselves a bit lost in the game’s story. Without this backstory, the game’s events might feel confusing, and some references may not make sense. Watching the movie first helps the game feel richer and more enjoyable. It's not just a chore to sit through; it’s fun and gives the player all the context needed to dive into the mystery.

Solving the Cases

Once the movie wraps up, it’s time to get into the real action. Detective Dotson is a point-and-click adventure game in which players wander through the city, solving cases one after another. The first case is a light, introductory mystery in which Dotson must figure out who painted his dog, Mr. Papadom, pink. It’s a simple case designed to familiarize players with the game’s mechanics and controls.

As players progress, the cases become more complex, and the larger mystery about Dotson’s father’s death starts to unfold. Surprisingly, each case you solve adds new clues to the bigger puzzle. There’s a satisfying feeling that comes from seeing how everything fits together as players discover more about the story. The game’s slow build-up of information keeps players interested and invested in Dotson’s journey.

However, the structure of this detective adventure game can feel a bit repetitive at times. Early on, each case follows a similar pattern: talk to people, find clues, and solve the puzzle. While this structure works well for introducing the mechanics, it can start to feel a bit repetitive. 

As the game progresses, things do get more interesting, and the complexity of the mysteries increases. Still, players might wish for a bit more variety or different types of mysteries in the beginning. Fortunately, the developers have teased that more cases and features will be added in future updates, which is a promising sign for the game’s future.

The Ups and Downs of Puzzle Solving

A big part of Detective Dotson revolves around solving puzzles. Players gather clues and then use them to solve mysteries by organizing them on an evidence board. This is where the game’s puzzle-solving element shines. It sounds simple, but it’s more challenging than it seems. Players have to figure out which clues connect and which ones are distractions. It’s satisfying when the pieces fall into place, but sometimes, it can get frustrating.

The first case is easy enough, but the puzzles become more complicated as you move forward. One issue is that the game doesn’t always make it clear when you have enough clues to move forward. Players might find themselves running around, unsure of what to do next. Some clues are easy to miss, and there’s little guidance to help keep you on track. For puzzle lovers, this can be fun, but for others, it might feel like you’re guessing your way through the game, which can be a little annoying.

Another gameplay feature that could be improved is the disguise system. Dotson loves dressing up in different costumes to blend in and gather information. While this adds a playful and fun element to the game, it also feels like trial and error. You might not know which disguise to use until you try it out, which can slow down the game’s pace. It’s fun at first, but its hit-or-miss nature can become frustrating after a while.

Fun Distractions

To break up the detective work, Detective Dotson includes several mini-games that offer a bit of variety. These games give you a chance to earn rewards like coins, which can be used to buy items for your cases. The mini-games include hidden object puzzles, street cricket, and even a dance-off.

The hidden object game is easy and addictive, perfect for earning coins quickly. The street cricket mini-game is fun if you're into cricket, but it can feel a bit tough if you’re not. The dance-off mini-game is the most unique one, offering a funny and challenging experience. However, the food sprites replacing musical notes can get repetitive after a while. While the mini-games provide a nice distraction, they don’t really add much to the story in this cozy adventure game. They feel more like side activities that exist to earn rewards, but they don’t drive the plot forward.

It would have been better if the mini-games were tied more directly to the story, making them feel more meaningful. As it is, they serve as filler rather than an essential part of the game’s progression. 

The Culture

One of the standout features of Detective Dotson is its cultural influence. This detective game is heavily inspired by Indian culture, and that influence shows in the setting, characters, and art style. The colorful world, vibrant characters, and references to Indian traditions give the game a unique flavor from other adventure games.

However, if you're not familiar with Indian culture, some of the references may go over your head. For example, the game includes a bargaining system, where you negotiate with vendors for lower prices. While fun at first, it can feel tiresome over time, especially since there’s no real skill involved. 

Notably, players can easily earn coins from the mini-games, so haggling doesn’t feel necessary. This feature might feel like a time-sink for some players, and it doesn’t add much to the gameplay. Though the game does a great job of representing Indian culture, it could be overwhelming for players who aren’t familiar with it. The cultural references are a nice touch, but may not resonate with everyone.

Eye-Catching but Not Perfect

Visually, Detective Dotson stands out with its pixel art style. The characters are well-designed, and the world is full of rich, bold colors representing Indian culture. The background mix of 2D and 3D elements creates depth and adds to the game’s visual appeal. However, the bright, bold colors might not be to everyone’s taste, and some players may prefer a more muted color palette.

In terms of performance, the game runs pretty smoothly, even on older PCs. It’s also optimized for the Steam Deck, which is a nice bonus for players who use it. There are a few moments where the frame rate dips, especially in action-packed scenes, but nothing too major. It doesn’t ruin the experience, but it can pull you out of the game for a moment.

Verdict

There’s much to look forward to in Detective Dotson, with upcoming updates that promise to keep players engaged. The developers have announced plans for more cases, adding new mysteries to solve and deepening the story. Players can also look forward to a co-op mode, allowing friends to collaborate and solve cases. 

In addition, extra mini-games are set to be added, providing a nice break from the detective work and offering rewards. While this cozy indie game already provides plenty of fun, these updates will bring even more excitement and variety. The developers also pay attention to player feedback and are open to tweaking the game, ensuring it evolves in ways that make it even more enjoyable.

Ultimately, Detective Dotson is more than just a cozy mystery; it’s part of a larger mission to bring India to video game culture. The indie team behind the game is passionate about representing India's vibrant and colorful world, which is often missing in the gaming space. By incorporating Indian traditions, landscapes, and characters, this cozy game offers a unique experience that stands out from other adventure games. 

With future updates, including new content and improvements, Detective Dotson is shaping up to become a favorite in the cozy mystery genre. Whether you’re a fan of narrative-driven games or just looking for something fun and fresh, this game is definitely one to keep an eye on.