Ever dreamt of cracking complex cases, just like your favorite TV detectives or true crime heroes? Now’s your chance to step into the world of crime-solving! Grab your deerstalker and magnifying glass, because we’re exploring the very best detective games available on PC, where you’ll solve murders, unravel cold cases, and uncover deep mysteries.
We’ve meticulously searched to bring you the top detective games, spanning from gritty episodic thrillers to classic point-and-click puzzles. Each title offers unique case-cracking mechanics designed to challenge even the most astute investigators. Whether you crave a sci-fi mystery, a touch of fantasy in your murder hunt, or a raw police procedural, our curated list of PC’s finest detective games has something for every aspiring gumshoe.
Nobody Wants to Die
This glitzy technoir adventure masterfully combines a thought-provoking exploration of transhumanism with a classic homage to detective fiction. In Nobody Wants to Die, you embody James Karra, a 24th-century New Yorker, tasked with investigating the suspicious death of a city luminary that just doesn’t feel right. Aided by your handler, Sara Kai, you’ll navigate New York’s shadowy underbelly and its opulent Art Deco skyscrapers to uncover the truth.
Shadows of Doubt
Shadows of Doubt is a groundbreaking, semi-procedural detective game set in a dystopian retro-future where megacorporations rule. As a private investigator, your life revolves around the police scanner, hunting for the next gig. This game offers unparalleled freedom: if you’re hired to retrieve a document, the ‘how’ is entirely up to you. Will you go in guns blazing, or meticulously research your target’s habits to sneak in unnoticed through the vents? All this unfolds against a backdrop of a city plagued by a serial killer, leaving you to decide how to bring them to justice. It’s a truly immersive experience that rewards cleverness and strategic thinking.
The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
Embark on a captivating journey to 19th-century England and Japan in The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles. You’ll play as Ryunosuke Naruhodo, an ancestor of the renowned Phoenix Wright, as he navigates wild adventures and solves cases alongside the legendary Herlock Sholmes. This collection, previously exclusive to Japan on the Nintendo 3DS, now allows detective fans worldwide to experience Ryunosuke’s thrilling escapades. For newcomers or those who get stuck, a convenient storytelling mode lets you relax and watch the narrative unfold, taking over whenever you feel ready to dive back into the investigation.
Paradise Killer
A heinous murder has shattered the idyllic facade of Paradise Island, and only you, Lady Love Dies — a self-proclaimed “investigation freak” — can solve it. In Paradise Killer, you’ll explore this surreal, sensory-overload island, meticulously searching for clues and potential suspects. But beware: your accusations will need solid backing in court, so choose your finger-pointing wisely.
Frog Detective 2: The Case of the Invisible Wizard
While all three Frog Detective titles are delightful, our top pick is Frog Detective 2: The Case of the Invisible Wizard. This charming adventure drops the world’s greatest detective — who just happens to be a frog — onto another whimsical island. With plenty of quirky townsfolk to question and hidden objects to find using your comically large magnifying glass, it’s a relaxed, visual treat. Far from a gritty noir, this game is packed with earnest dialogue and gentle humor, perfect for a lighthearted mystery experience, and can be romped through in about an hour.
Disco Elysium
This narrative-driven RPG immerses you in a gruesome murder investigation, all while battling the mother of all hangovers. Disco Elysium lets you sculpt your character through skills, clothes, and items, and uniquely, your own mental state can wildly influence your detective work. You might be unconventional, but you get results! The game features incredibly sharp writing, bringing its dialogue-heavy interactions to life. With multiple paths to decipher scenarios and advance the plot, all dictated by your character’s personality traits, you’ll decide: will you be the suave, professional detective or the belligerent drunk bulldozing through the crime scene? It’s a wickedly clever RPG that was widely celebrated as one of the best PC games of its year.
Return of the Obra Dinn
Return of the Obra Dinn stands out as one of the best detective and indie games of its decade. You play as an insurance evaluator tasked with investigating the enigmatic disappearance of a merchant ship’s crew and passengers. Armed with a magical pocket watch, you’ll meticulously solve each individual death, jotting down clues in your journal as you gradually piece together the tragic fate of this ghost ship. The real detective work lies in tying up every loose thread, as you delve into a proper cold case, scouring the eerie vessel for any shred of evidence.
Unavowed
New York City’s streets run red, soaked in a trail of carnage left by a demon – a demon that used your body to commit its heinous acts. This isn’t a ‘whodunnit,’ but a ‘whatdunnit.’ To stop this ancient evil, you must join the Unavowed, a secret society of supernatural detectives. Your approach to cases will shift depending on your companions, each possessing unique abilities like seeing ghosts or controlling fire. This game allows you to forge your own path through its gripping mystery, making it essential for any detective enthusiast.
Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments
This game masterfully makes players feel as brilliant as the world’s greatest detective, without relying on too many supernatural tricks. It’s largely up to you to analyze crime scenes, gather evidence, connect the dots, and ultimately accuse the correct culprit. While Holmes’s legendary intuition might offer a nudge, the game’s brilliance lies in the freedom to make mistakes. You might luck into the right answer, but often you’ll be left pondering if you truly reached the correct conclusion or if a vital clue slipped through your grasp. Despite some minor graphical quirks, the performances are solid, and each case is steeped in the rich mystery and grandeur you’d expect from the classic novels. It’s not just an excellent detective game; it’s arguably the best Sherlock Holmes title in years.
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
This first-person exploration title is a strong contender for one of the best detective games, weaving a haunting tale around Detective Paul Prospero’s paranormal search for the missing boy, Ethan Carter, in Wisconsin’s Red Creek Valley. Heavily influenced by works like Twin Peaks, you’ll meticulously analyze clues and reconstruct scenes using your unique observation skills. The game contrasts the region’s natural beauty with the unsettling urgency of finding Ethan before it’s too late. You’re free to explore the isolated valley, uncovering secrets in every nook and cranny. Unlike many detective games, it allows you to form your own theories from the evidence you unearth, offering a truly immersive mystery.
Broken Sword series
While not quite on par with the swashbuckling humor of Monkey Island, the Broken Sword series excels with its fiendishly clever puzzles that strike the perfect balance between challenge and satisfaction. The series follows George Stobbart and Nico Collard as they become entangled in dark conspiracies and ancient plots. The writing is sharp and charming, as the duo encounters eccentric characters across romantic, idyllic cobbled streets of Paris and beyond. Broken Sword is a wonderfully engaging point-and-click adventure, offering polite murder and intrigue in beautifully rendered settings.
The Wolf Among Us
Set in the gritty, crime-ridden Fabletown of modern-day Manhattan, The Wolf Among Us presents an iridescent noir world where childhood fantasies live – or rather, survive. You assume the role of Big Bad Wolf, now Detective Bigby, tasked with maintaining order and investigating the brutal murders of fairytale characters. This episodic mystery from Telltale Games uses your dialogue choices as the primary path to justice. With a pig for a roommate, a defiant Mr. Toad avoiding his Glamor enchantment, and a severed head on your doorstep, you’ll encounter iconic figures like Snow White and the Huntsman. Though the premise seems whimsical, it’s a somber narrative where your decisions carry serious, far-reaching consequences, true to Telltale’s signature style.
Gemini Rue
In this atmospheric cyberpunk detective adventure, you’ll navigate the drenched planet Barracus as Detective Azriel Odin. It’s a decaying world where identities are traded, and lives are lost to debt and addiction. Azriel’s story intertwines with Delta-Six, a man who awakens in a strange training facility across the galaxy with no memory. This moody point-and-click adventure, heavily inspired by Blade Runner and Philip K. Dick, is a must-play for fans of cyberpunk, pixel art, and bleak dystopian tales.
L.A. Noire
Step into 1940s Los Angeles as Cole Phelps, a patrolman turned detective, in this grand detective gaming adventure. Your mission: ascend the ranks of the police force while upholding your morals. You’ll meticulously comb crime scenes, interrogate witnesses, and pursue leads, with your success hinging on your investigatory skills and ability to read subtle micro-expressions during questioning. This is a fully interactive crime drama, delivering the meticulous detail expected from a Rockstar title. Expect classic noir twists, shootouts in Hollywood studios, and car chases through iconic L.A. locales, all leading to a major arson case with far-reaching implications beyond the city’s seedy underbelly.
Batman: Arkham Asylum
When discussing the best detective games, it’s impossible to overlook Batman: Arkham Asylum. Many still consider it one of the finest superhero games ever made, with its timeless story of Batman confronting Gotham’s worst criminals in the infamous asylum. Beyond its revolutionary combat system, Arkham Asylum introduced “Detective Mode,” a form of X-ray vision linked to a supercomputer. This tool allowed the Dark Knight to unravel the game’s numerous mysteries, puzzles, and gruesome encounters. While later games in the series brought Detective Mode back, its impact and effectiveness shine brightest within the more contained setting of Arkham Asylum, truly highlighting Batman as the World’s Greatest Detective.
Discworld Noir
In the grimy underbelly of Ankh-Morpork, private investigator Lewton is hired to probe a brutal murder, quickly finding himself embroiled in a dark and sinister plot. Fans of the Discworld novels will recognize familiar locations and characters, but Noir carves its own path, trading wizardry and magic for werewolves and jazz bars. Instead of Rincewind’s trusty luggage, Lewton carries a notebook to store clues, slowly crossing them off as he uncovers new threats and locations. The lonely streets of Ankh-Morpork and its shadowy, spidery inhabitants create a terrifying atmosphere. While acquiring and running a copy might be a challenge, it’s a fitting test for a master sleuth like yourself.
Grim Fandango
Grim Fandango isn’t just one of the best detective games; it’s also one of the funniest. In this unique afterlife, newly deceased souls embark on a journey to the Land of the Dead, their mode of transport determined by their good deeds. Meet Manny Calavera, a disgruntled afterlife travel agent who discovers a conspiracy: his corrupt boss is rigging the system, condemning countless souls to an arduous trek. Manny transforms into a noir detective, navigating a journey that is both humorous and dark. Every new chapter is a visual feast, introducing charming and funny characters across diverse afterlife locales. It’s a delightful point-and-click adventure with a sharp wit and compelling mystery.
And there you have it: our top picks for the best detective games on PC. If you’re looking for something with high-octane shootouts or tactical cop simulations, explore our guide to the best police games. Or, if you prefer a quieter approach, delve into our list of the best stealth games to hone your skills as a master thief.