Detective Pikachu Returns reviews are finally here, and the Pokemon spin-off is not doing as well as many may have hoped.
It has been a long time since the launch of the first Detective Pikachu game on 3DS, which was released on March 23, 2018. Since then, fans have been eagerly awaiting a sequel. Now that the second game in the series, Detective Pikachu Returns, is almost upon us, players are ready for reviews. Fortunately, they’ve finally dropped, but you may not like what they have to say.
Detective Pikachu Returns Review
Detective Pikachu Returns reviews point to an average of 7/10 from critics, with its Metacritic score sitting at 71% and its Open Critic score at 66%.
Here is a collection of scores from critics across the internet:
- NintendoLife – 7/10
- Screenrant – 3.5/5
- Games Radar+ – 3/5
- Eurogamer – 3/5
- VGC – 3/5
- IGN – 6/10
Is Detective Pikachu Returns Good?
No, Detective Pikachu Returns is not good, according to reviews. While many praised its humor, campy story, and lovable protagonist, there are a lot of complaints about poor visuals, lots of backtracking, and highly repetitive gameplay.
Many reviews noted that the game was tonally inconsistent, with IGN specifically asking who the game was for, as its darker tone in the latter half doesn’t feel suitable for children. It is clear that Detective Pikachu Returns isn’t for everyone, and most gamers may wish to spend their money on other big releases, such as Assassin’s Creed Mirage, instead.
If you do still want to pick up Detective Pikachu Returns, you can do so when it launches on Friday, 6 October 2023, for the Nintendo Switch. You can also pre-order it right now from the Nintendo eShop or physically from your local retailer. Make sure to check out our Game Hub on all things Detective Pikachu for the latest news and guides on the game.