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BROK the InvestiGator

The mix of point-and-click and beat ‘em up gameplay with a 90s cartoon aesthetic makes BROK the InvestiGator a unique adventure game that should not be missed.
BROK the InvestiGator Game Cover
89%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
monetization, grinding
97% User Score Based on 550 reviews
Critic Score 78%Based on 8 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchAndroidPlaystation 5Playstation 4Xbox Cloud GamingXboxSteam DeckiPhoneWindowsPlayStationLinuxXbox Series X|SPCTabletXbox Game PassCloudMac OSPhoneXbox OneiPadMobile Platform
BROK the InvestiGator Game Cover

About

BROK the InvestiGator is a single player and multiplayer hack and slash game with fantasy, mystery and science fiction themes. It was developed by COWCAT and was released on December 20, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

In "BROK the InvestiGator," play as a hard-boiled detective who's also a sentient alligator. Solve crimes, interrogate suspects, and navigate a film noir-inspired world in this unique blend of adventure and beat 'em up gameplay. With rich storytelling and a variety of challenges, uncover the truth and uphold justice in a city full of corruption and danger.

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97%
Audience ScoreBased on 550 reviews
story184 positive mentions
monetization22 negative mentions

  • Unique blend of point-and-click adventure and beat 'em up gameplay, allowing players to choose between solving puzzles or using brute force.
  • Engaging story with well-developed characters, emotional depth, and multiple endings that encourage replayability.
  • High-quality voice acting and charming art style reminiscent of 90s cartoons, enhancing the overall experience.
  • Some puzzles can be overly simplistic or frustrating, leading to reliance on the hint system.
  • Combat mechanics may feel basic and repetitive, lacking depth compared to dedicated beat 'em up games.
  • The pacing can be slow at times, especially during dialogue-heavy sections, which may test players' patience.
  • story
    501 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Brok the Investigator" is a compelling blend of emotional depth and engaging narrative, set in a dystopian world populated by anthropomorphic characters. Players navigate a richly layered plot that explores themes of poverty, trauma, and family dynamics, with choices that significantly impact character relationships and lead to multiple endings. The game balances its narrative with a mix of point-and-click and beat-em-up mechanics, creating a unique experience that resonates with players through its humor, heart, and unexpected twists.

    • “The story is richly layered, blending mystery, humor, and emotional moments to craft a tale that feels both sincere and entertaining.”
    • “Brok the investigator is a vibrant and inventive blend of visual novel storytelling and classic beat ’em up gameplay, wrapped in a charming anthropomorphic detective tale that stands out for its unique tone and style.”
    • “The characters are charming and witty, the story is captivating, and the gameplay is smooth and addicting!”
    • “It's clear the developer doesn't care about the story elements, as they are haphazardly left for the player to discern and work out with the safety net of a time loop to do it all over again, with no right way to aim towards.”
    • “The canon ending is that 'brok time travels and fixes everything (at least we hope so)' which is weird and very anti-climactic, sure the time machine was teased, but it was never the focal point of the story.”
    • “Unfortunately, there aren't much in the way of story branches and despite having a few different endings, they are not incredibly dissimilar, and choices can sometimes feel pointless.”
  • gameplay
    167 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    "Brok the Investigator" offers a unique blend of point-and-click adventure and beat 'em up gameplay, creating a dynamic experience that keeps players engaged through its well-paced narrative and action segments. The integration of combat mechanics with puzzle-solving elements allows for varied gameplay, catering to both action enthusiasts and those who prefer a more cerebral approach. While some players find the beat 'em up mechanics simplistic, the overall gameplay is praised for its charm, depth, and the ability to toggle difficulty settings, ensuring accessibility for all types of players.

    • “Brok the Investigator is a vibrant and inventive blend of visual novel storytelling and classic beat ’em up gameplay, wrapped in a charming anthropomorphic detective tale that stands out for its unique tone and style.”
    • “The gameplay seamlessly merges narrative with action through its well-crafted beat ’em up segments.”
    • “The gameplay is a delightful blend of enjoyable puzzles and engaging action sequences, catering to both point-and-click adventure enthusiasts and those seeking a more interactive experience.”
    • “It's not just a beat'em'up and a point and click adventure, there's a claw game mechanic featured from the very start, XP to grind, money to grind, collectible hidden objects, collectible death scenes, a series of items that apparently serve no storyline purpose and can only be found by literally walking your character to every corner of every room with your scanner out, a half dozen different endings, various annoying failure modes including an obnoxious timed section... it would have been a much better game if all that junk had been left out and the developer had focused on tightening the main storyline.”
    • “The combat mechanic is meh, basically spamming the same knock down move.”
    • “Although there was some hiccup that forced me to quit and reopen the game, the gameplay is very well.”
  • music
    112 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and emotional depth, effectively enhancing the storytelling and gameplay experience. Composed by Python Blue, the soundtrack features a blend of catchy, mood-setting tunes that resonate with the game's detective-noir theme, while also providing unique tracks for various scenes and gameplay moments. Overall, players appreciate the music's ability to evoke emotions and complement the game's art and voice acting, making it a standout aspect of the experience.

    • “The soundtrack deserves special mention for its catchy and mood-setting tunes that blend funk, jazz, and retro vibes, reinforcing the game’s cool, detective-noir atmosphere.”
    • “The music: Python Blue’s soundtrack is outstanding.”
    • “Great music sets the mood of each scene perfectly.”
    • “The soundtrack is terrible; the puzzles are not only basic but also completely uninteresting.”
    • “On the same note, not much to say about the music; it never got on my nerves, but I was not really bobbing along either.”
    • “Only the soundtrack could have been a bit better, but even that is solid.”
  • graphics
    111 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Brok the Investigator" are characterized by a charming and nostalgic 90s cartoon aesthetic, featuring expressive pixel art and well-designed character sprites that enhance the game's dynamic interactions. While the colorful and cute visuals contrast with the darker themes of the story, they effectively create an engaging atmosphere that resonates with players, making the art style a standout feature of the game. Overall, the graphics are praised for their quality, creativity, and ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia while supporting the game's narrative depth.

    • “Visually, Brok the Investigator boasts a distinct pixel art style that is both nostalgic and fresh.”
    • “The cute and colorful art style, the fascinating worldbuilding, the lovable yet flawed characters, the emotionally deep story, and the top-notch voice acting all make this game a true hidden gem!”
    • “The art style and the voice acting are insanely good given that this is a very small budget indie game, the graphics have a really good nostalgia to them that remind me a lot of the Disney afternoon cartoons from the early 90s.”
    • “The art style is, while expressive, not up to the task of some of the story beats it's attempting to take on.”
    • “The topics it deals with in its plot are surprisingly deep and dark, nothing like what you'd expect from the cartoony graphics, which are very cute, even if they don't match the general tone of the game at all in my opinion.”
    • “Don't let the Saturday morning cartoon visuals fool you; the story here is heavier than you might expect.”
  • emotional
    72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its atmospheric soundtrack, rich storytelling, and well-developed characters, which together create a deeply engaging experience that resonates with players. Many reviewers noted the game's ability to evoke strong feelings, from laughter to tears, particularly through its exploration of themes like trauma and relationships, especially the father-son dynamic. While some moments may feel forced or overly sentimental, the overall narrative is praised for its emotional depth and the impact of player choices on the story's outcomes.

    • “The story is richly layered, blending mystery, humor, and emotional moments to craft a tale that feels both sincere and entertaining.”
    • “Prepare yourself for a heartfelt journey filled with tear-jerkers that will tug at your heartstrings and keep you invested from start to finish.”
    • “Brok's story is both heartwarming and dark.”
  • humor
    37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game effectively blends humor with a rich narrative, featuring a colorful cast of anthropomorphic characters that navigate a noir detective story filled with emotional depth and memorable moments. While some players noted pacing issues and a lack of animation during interactions, the humor is generally well-executed, balancing lightheartedness with serious themes, and often leading to unexpectedly funny situations. Overall, the humor enhances the game's charm, making it a standout in the point-and-click genre.

    • “The game delivers a refreshing twist on the noir detective genre by injecting humor, heart, and a colorful cast of characters into a world where all inhabitants are anthropomorphic animals.”
    • “Brok is an incredibly addictive title full of brilliant humor, brilliantly written characters, and a great deep story!”
    • “The characters are funny, and the combination of genres is something I don't think I've seen before.”
  • replayability
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers significant replayability through its multiple endings, diverse character interactions, and the ability to make impactful choices that alter the narrative. While the core storyline is linear, players are encouraged to explore different playstyles and outcomes, enhancing personal investment and replay value. Overall, it provides a rich experience for completionists and those seeking varied gameplay.

    • “Brok the Investigator excels in replayability with its multitude of endings, presenting a tantalizing challenge for completionists.”
    • “This is a huge strength that gives the game a lot of replay value as there are so many choices that are relevant.”
    • “While the core storyline remains fairly linear, the decisions players make influence character relationships and certain narrative nuances, adding replayability and personal investment.”
    • “Despite having a relatively small but tight cast of characters and just as many places to explore, this is a surprisingly meaty game, taking me exactly 18 hours and 23 minutes to finish my first playthrough. There's plenty of replayability with the absurd amount of different endings and story outcomes accounted for, not to mention the silly achievements and probably the higher difficulty for those who can't get enough of the beat 'em up sections.”
    • “This adds a significant amount of replayability to the game, with options to skip dialogue, cutscenes, and even fights if you are trying to quickly replay stuff, adding reasons to keep trying different options.”
  • monetization
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game is primarily centered around a collectible ad system that serves dual purposes: as hints for players struggling with puzzles and as a means to unlock additional content, such as bonus scenes and achievements. While the ads are integrated into the gameplay and provide valuable assistance, some players find the visibility of these ads challenging, particularly on smaller screens. Overall, the system is well-received for enhancing the gaming experience without being overly intrusive.

    • “The lone exception would be the hidden ads, which are currency that you can spend for hints.”
    • “There is a hint system, there are ads you collect in the world which are basically collectibles but they also can be used to unlock hints, which can just hint and if you do it again can just straight up tell you what to do.”
    • “Most of my playtime thus far has been dedicated to casually going through all the endings and finding all the ads! Note to self: never underestimate how much mischief a developer can put into making these so meticulously difficult to find, and upon finding it can leave one thinking how obvious the spots were all along.”
  • character development
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The character development in "Brok the Investigator" is highly praised for its depth and emotional impact, with players forming strong attachments to well-designed characters like Brok and Graff. The narrative's branching paths lead to significant consequences, enhancing the sense of a living world filled with rich histories and complex relationships. Overall, the combination of exceptional character designs, engaging storytelling, and polished visuals contributes to a memorable and emotionally resonant experience.

    • “The character designs are great, the story's pretty good, and the narrative branches in very impressive ways that have major consequences throughout, but it all feels natural regardless of what you choose.”
    • “The result is a vast world that really feels alive, with rich character development, a complex society, and a sense of history.”
    • “What Brok does excel in is its character development.”
    • “With the kind of character development you experience throughout the game, I think it's wild seeing an ending as bittersweet as that.”
    • “And like I said, while the ending I ultimately got for that, 'slummers,' while leaving a number of loose ends untied, was ultimately nonetheless satisfying for the emotional bonds between the characters and the character development they go through.”
    • “With character development, this game made me laugh and tear up at times.”
  • optimization
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is commendable, with smooth performance even on average PCs. While controls can be challenging, especially on PC, using a controller significantly enhances the experience. The voice acting is a standout feature, with high-quality performances that add depth to the narrative.

    • “Game performance is perfect; controls are a bit tough to master, especially if you play on PC, but playing with a controller will drastically make it feel easier. You still have to be focused, especially when playing on higher difficulty settings.”
    • “The voice performances are top-notch, delivering genuine emotions and adding a layer of authenticity to the game's narrative.”
    • “The game runs smoothly on an average computer.”
    • “Overall impressions & performance: as you'd probably expect from a game like this, performance isn't a huge concern.”
    • “The voice acting is superb; the emotion and energy of these characters really come through in their performances.”
    • “As long as the main character survives, the story will keep on going, even after obviously bad decisions/performances on your part.”
  • atmosphere
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is a captivating blend of detailed environments, vibrant lighting, and a catchy soundtrack that combines funk, jazz, and retro elements, enhancing its unique mix of noir and whimsy. While some players initially struggled with the contrast between the cartoony aesthetics and the darker themes, many found that this intentional juxtaposition ultimately enriched the experience. Overall, the atmospheric design and music create an engaging backdrop that complements the game's emotional and humorous narrative.

    • “The environments are detailed and vibrant, filled with atmospheric lighting and creative designs that perfectly capture the game’s unique blend of noir and whimsy.”
    • “The soundtrack deserves special mention for its catchy and mood-setting tunes that blend funk, jazz, and retro vibes, reinforcing the game’s cool, detective-noir atmosphere.”
    • “The game’s ability to balance humor, emotion, and action creates a unique atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression.”
    • “I had trouble adjusting to the game's atmosphere at first.”
    • “The cartoony aesthetics and humor often didn't sit too easily with me considering the overall dark atmosphere and dystopian setting, but after a while, I feel the contrast is intentional.”
    • “As Brok, an alligator man, explore and reveal the mystery of yourself with an 80s-90s classical atmosphere.”
  • grinding
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience, with some describing it as tedious and repetitive, particularly during long dialogues and simple combat sequences. While some sections offer leisurely exploration and a sense of accomplishment through RPG-style grinding, others feel that the combat can become boring and frustrating, especially in hardcore mode. However, certain elements, like the ad system, can turn tedious tasks into enjoyable challenges.

    • “I played around 10 hours of which 4-5 were decently fun, but there is so much tedious stuff to grind through along the way.”
    • “The fighting is extremely simple, which in this case translates to boring and tedious.”
    • “The beat 'em up is fun at times, but mostly simplistic, and can get tedious after a while (thankfully there is the option to skip fight scenes).”
  • stability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, users report that while the game experiences some minor glitches and clunky moments, these issues are not game-breaking and are generally forgiven.

    • “A little clunky at times with some glitches; I didn't experience anything game-breaking.”
    • “These minor glitches and errors are forgiven.”
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15h Median play time
15h Average play time
14h Main story
29h Completionist
15-15h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

BROK the InvestiGator is a hack and slash game with fantasy, mystery and science fiction themes.

BROK the InvestiGator is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Steam Deck and others.

The main story can be completed in around 14 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 29 hours to finish. On average players spend around 15 hours playing BROK the InvestiGator.

BROK the InvestiGator was released on December 20, 2023.

BROK the InvestiGator was developed by COWCAT.

BROK the InvestiGator has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its monetization.

BROK the InvestiGator is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Unavowed, Lacuna, Omensight, Tokyo Dark, The Fall Part 2: Unbound and others.