Let’s start off with no pretences. Gameplay wise this is essentially a kids game. An introduction to the basic mechanics of an inventory based adventure game. The intention behind the Frog Detective games is more a vehicle for comedy. A relaxed dry humour with a good sense of awkwardness. And it has wormed it’s way into that universal appeal niche and become a bit of a phenomenon. Thanks to a combination of sweet characters, charming graphics, and funny dialogue. Seeing as I like all those things and am mentally speaking kid adjacent I snagged the trilogy in the autumn sale to check it out.
Frog Detective: Corruption at Cowboy County is the most recent game. You could play it alone but it is enhanced by having played at least one of the previous games (I’d say the first one), as a couple of characters return and it is the first game to experiment with the story structure.
The general formula for completing these games is talking to characters who give you items which you in turn give to other characters and the story moves forward. Honestly, the game part of this is the least interesting bit. It’s the interactions and character design that make it satisfying and add all the spark. It’s all those over used words like, whimsical, quirky, charming, and cutesy, but in a good way. This is comfier than curling up in the lap of a giant Wigglytuff.
What I like most is the pure silliness of the conversations and the tangents they head off in. Discussing store policy, dancing, or secret societies. And how the characters are so earnest and open. Then of course there’s how adorable everyone looks. And that Mystery Monkey is an effing dude.
If you liked the first two then Cowboy will not disappoint. The inclusion of riding a scooter was perfect and I was quite distracted by it. It’s longer than the first two games even though the whole trilogy should only take about 4 hours or so to finish. With added time for scootering.
Available from Steam and Itch.
mishmash 