Detective Pikachu Returns Hands-On Preview

Detective Pikachu occupies an unusually rare position within the video game industry. Although it is a spin-off of the hugely successful Pokémon franchise and began with the 2018 Nintendo 3DS game, Detective Pikachu is arguably better known for the 2019 live-action cinema release starring Justice Smith and Ryan Reynolds. Shortly before that film arrived, The Pokémon Company revealed that a successor to the 3DS game was in development. Now, four years later and with its launch approaching, I was able to try the long-awaited sequel.

Detective Pikachu Returns brings Pokémon adventure to Ryme City

Creatures developed the 2018 original after identifying a gap in Pokémon's broad range of games. "There wasn't really an adventure game in the Pokémon series," senior creative director Yasunori Yanagisawa says. "This was a good opportunity to go into that genre and also, the adventure genre is actually an appropriate genre for a setting where Pokémon and humans coexist. [...] When it comes to the cutscenes of the game, there's a lot of freedom to explore."

For anyone who missed the first game, the opening provides a concise summary of its plot. Players are introduced to the mystery of protagonist Tim Goodman's missing father, Detective Pikachu's origins, and the pair's journey to pursue the answers. Although the film has made the premise's fundamental elements familiar to many people, the games take place in a separate universe, making this an effective way to begin.

Even with that distinction, the film may have helped make Detective Pikachu Returns possible. "Creatures went to observe how the filming was going with the film," Yanagisawa says. "We were inspired from that. Even just in London Heathrow Airport, we decided to write up a story for this game. We were aiming for a similar level of story as the film for this game."

Investigating a jewel theft in Detective Pikachu Returns

I was not given much information about the wider narrative, but my hands-on session begins in Chapter 1. Tim and Pikachu are looking into a jewel robbery in Ryme City and have two possible leads. A Ducklett is of interest because its feathers were discovered at the scene, while a Pawniard is another suspect. We decide to investigate Pawniard first, heading to a terrace in one of Ryme City's parks.

Once there, we inspect the window at the crime scene that overlooks the terrace. Tim and Pikachu know that Pawniard enjoys training there, so they start hunting for evidence. They uncover sliced leaves and stray Whimsicott cotton before finding a rock marked with scratches that seem possible only from blades. Tim and Pikachu choose to draw Pawniard out, and I am asked how they should proceed. The options are to have Pikachu sing, wait nearby, or climb on the rock. I first try the song, featuring the gruff-voiced Pikachu's fully voiced singing, then attempt a stakeout. Eventually, we recall that Pawniard dislikes others touching its rock. Pikachu climbs on top, and the blade-armed Pokémon immediately appears.

Following an entertaining exchange between the noir-influenced Detective Pikachu and the warrior-like Pawniard, we realise Pawniard may not be responsible. Witnesses reported being punched in the back of the head, and Pawniard's bladed arms would make punching somebody difficult. During my time with Detective Pikachu Returns, these exchanges, which give the Pokémon across Ryme City such distinct personalities, stood out as the best moments.

Tim only understands Detective Pikachu, meaning Pikachu must interpret his conversations with every other Pokémon. "Detective Pikachu has this kind of middle-aged-man character, so in terms of conversing with the Pokémon in Ryme City, we wanted to explore what would be really interesting in terms of having a middle-aged-man character talking with Pokémon," Yanagisawa says. "In terms of cutscenes, the focus was more on how each Pokémon's personality can flourish and shine in those scenes."

Pokémon partners and Local Concerns

Our next stop is the mansion where police are investigating, as we pursue the Ducklett clue. Along the route, we meet a university student known as the Quiz Professor. Her task is to locate a Pokémon with a long tongue. Having encountered a Lickitung earlier in the demo, I know exactly where to go to finish this challenge. These optional missions are known as Local Concerns, and they provide extra lore and story about events in Ryme City. Other Local Concerns I see involve a lost Lillipup and a child seeking a Pokémon to play football with. I would have liked to assist each of them, but my available time is limited.

We hurry to the mansion where the theft took place. Inside, I meet three Pokémon with abilities that could support the investigation. Clefable's sensitive hearing may allow it to detect Ducklett's calls, though Manectric's tracking skills appear more useful. Unfortunately, the city's noise means Clefable cannot hear Ducklett, while Manectric is committed to its police work and faithfully declines to leave its position. That leaves Growlithe, with its exceptionally powerful sense of smell.

Detective Pikachu Returns introduces sections in which Tim and Pikachu separate. Here, Pikachu climbs onto Growlithe's back and the pair track the scent Ducklett left behind. These new special abilities create gameplay sequences with their own distinct feel.

My demo does not show any further special abilities, but Yanagisawa provides another example. "Another Pokémon that has been disclosed at this point is Darmanitan, who has a very strong punching ability," he says. "With Darmanitan's help, you can punch your way through places that might not have been accessible for you previously. There are others that we won't quite get into today."

Following Ducklett's scent trail leads us to the Pokémon concealed in some bushes. We question the duck-like Pokémon and uncover fresh details about what might have occurred that day. It reveals the existence of a Cramorant that no one had previously mentioned, providing another lead. Unfortunately, the demo ends before I can investigate it.

My visit to Ryme City was short, but I enjoyed meeting the many Pokémon living alongside humans in this distinctive spin-off series. The investigation systems currently seem relatively straightforward, though I was playing only the opening chapter, so that is unsurprising. I am keen to take on further cases when Detective Pikachu Returns arrives on Switch on 6 October.