5 Classic Detective Games That Still Hold Up Today

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Detective games have become incredibly popular, building on the success of early titles from the ’80s and ’90s that used full-motion video and simple clicking. This makes sense, considering how much people enjoy mysteries in movies, TV shows, and books. But video games offer something extra – you actually get to lead the investigation yourself! With so many detective games released over the years, it can be hard to find the classics worth revisiting after playing the newer ones. This list is a good place to start if you’re looking to explore the genre further.

Here are five great mystery games that have stood the test of time.

5) Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers

Technically, Gabriel Knight isn’t a detective. He’s a writer, and owns a bookstore in New Orleans, but he’s not doing well financially. However, when strange murders begin happening and he starts having related dreams, he essentially becomes an investigator, taking on the role of a Sherlock Holmes-like figure.

What really makes this unusual point-and-click game stand out is its incredible voice acting. Tim Curry is fantastic as Knight, and he’s joined by other well-known actors like Leah Remini, Michael Dorn, and Mark Hamill. Plus, Sins of the Fathers is genuinely creepy – which is great for a mystery, though it occasionally dips into full-on horror. A remastered version was released for the game’s 20th anniversary, but it features a different cast, so I suggest playing the original version.

4) The Nancy Drew Series

Her Interactive has been creating Nancy Drew adventure games for over 25 years, starting in 1995. With 34 games available, the quality is consistently good – you can reliably pick one up and enjoy it, even if not every single one is a standout hit.

However, some of the most popular titles are Secrets Can Kill, Stay Tuned for Danger, and Treasure in the Royal Tower. While newer games haven’t received as much praise, you’re sure to enjoy any Nancy Drew game released in the 1990s or 2000s.

3) The Wolf Among Us

It’s uncertain if we’ll ever see a sequel to Telltale’s most popular game, and it’s starting to feel unlikely, especially after the recent split between AdHoc Studio and Telltale. However, these problems don’t change how fantastic the original game starring Bigby Wolf remains.

Like other games from Telltale, your choices in conversation affect the story, but what truly makes The Wolf Among Us special are its characters. The game is a prequel based on Bill Willingham’s fantastic Fables comic series, and that source material gave the developers a great foundation for creating characters that players quickly connect with. It’s disappointing that the planned sequel might never be released, because the first game is such a compelling mystery.

2) Deadly Premonition

If you’re a fan of Twin Peaks or the work of David Lynch, you absolutely need to try Deadly Premonition. This 2010 survival horror game by Swery65 is heavily inspired by Lynch’s iconic TV series. It’s famously controversial – so much so that it actually earned a Guinness World Record as the most critically divisive survival horror game ever made.

It’s no accident that Deadly Premonition is so unusual – it really feels like it could only have been created by Swery. The game is a perfect reflection of his unique style, and no other developer could have made it work. That strong vision naturally won’t appeal to everyone, and the game’s poor performance issues definitely don’t help either.

Despite some frustrating technical problems, Deadly Premonition is a truly exceptional mystery game if you can embrace its unique style. It’s unpredictable and wonderfully bizarre, constantly keeping you guessing. The sequel is just as odd and suffers from similar technical issues, but fans of the first game will likely still enjoy it.

1) Ghost Trick: The Phantom Detective

I honestly think Ghost Trick is one of the greatest games ever made, not just on the DS! It’s a truly amazing mystery. You play as a ghost who can’t remember anything, and you spend your time learning about people and things in the present. Then, you can jump back in time and use what you’ve discovered to prevent tragedies – it’s so clever and keeps you hooked!

Beyond its clever story, Ghost Trick boasts beautiful graphics and smooth animations. It feels like Capcom built upon the success of Ace Attorney, taking the detective gameplay even further. Just like Ace Attorney, Ghost Trick is filled with charming and unforgettable characters that will keep you engaged.

Even though Ghost Trick was popular on the DS and fans have been eagerly requesting a sequel, one hasn’t been released. A remastered version came out in 2023, which only increased hopes for a new game, but we’re still waiting for Capcom to revisit the world of Sissel and his companions.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-24 01:40