Bucket Detective
- January 23, 2017
- thewhalehusband
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Bucket Detective" is a dark comedy/horror game where you assist a cult in completing a ritual to gain inspiration for your novel. The choices you make determine one of the five unique endings. With nearly an hour of audio commentary, the game provides insight into its creation. It takes around 45-65 minutes to complete and encourages multiple playthroughs to unlock the full story.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Xbox
Reviews
- Bucket Detective offers a unique and bizarre experience that combines dark humor with unsettling themes, making it memorable and thought-provoking.
- The game features engaging art and sound design, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
- With multiple endings and a developer commentary, the game encourages replayability and provides insights into the creative process behind its development.
- The game is very short, with some players feeling that the price does not justify the limited content and simplistic gameplay.
- Many found the humor to be forced or lacking depth, with some jokes falling flat and failing to resonate with a broader audience.
- The handling of sensitive themes may be off-putting for some players, leading to discomfort rather than the intended dark comedy.
- humor54 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- -4 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is predominantly dark and surreal, appealing to those with a taste for crass and macabre comedy, though it may alienate others who find it forced or lacking in genuine wit. While some players appreciate the bizarre and shocking elements that elicit laughter, others criticize the humor as being overly reliant on shock value rather than cleverness. Overall, enjoyment of the humor seems to hinge on individual preferences for dark themes and unconventional comedic styles.
“A very spoopy, bizarre, and funny game; definitely recommended if you've got a dark sense of humor and an hour to spare!”
“With an excellent track record already, these two have come along and crafted one of the most guttural and hilarious experiences I've ever had during my time as a gamer.”
“The tone is dark and disturbing but also laugh-out-loud funny, and challenging in a way that will make you question your own moral values.”
“The humor tries for dark comedy but falls flat, coming off as more disgusting than funny.”
“The jokes are too short and lack the punch needed to be truly humorous.”
“I expected more from the humor; it just didn't land and felt more off-putting than entertaining.”
- story41 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story is characterized by its bizarre and absurd humor, which may not appeal to everyone, particularly those seeking deeper themes or horror elements. While it offers a unique and engaging narrative with multiple endings and intriguing backstories, some players find it too short and lacking in depth. Overall, it stands out in a crowded market for its originality and quirky storytelling style, making it a memorable experience for those who appreciate its unconventional approach.
“In a market saturated with cliché storylines, this is a breath of fresh air.”
“I was completely absorbed into the plot and the absolute quirk.”
“A humorous, weird, dark story with even some replayability due to multiple endings.”
“This game isn't for people looking for horror, environmental storytelling, or deeper social commentary.”
“The story is weird and a bit offensive, but it's intriguing to say the least.”
“This game is too short and not deep enough story-wise for me to recommend.”
- graphics20 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are described as simplistic yet charming, with a unique art style that evokes a mix of adult cartoon vibes and dark aesthetics. While some players find the visuals appealing and atmospheric, others note that they lack depth and complexity, leading to a somewhat disjointed experience. Overall, the graphics contribute to a quirky and thought-provoking atmosphere, despite not being technically advanced.
“The writing, visuals, music, and pacing are all great.”
“Great atmosphere, attention to detail in visuals.”
“On all the technical points it works well: the art style is cohesive, the game runs smoothly, the soundtrack is perfect.”
“With these graphics, I can only suspect this thing literally runs a miner on your PC without your notice while you're playing.”
“The graphics in Bucket Detective are really simplistic as all you do is explore a building and walk around rooms that give off the feel like the building was abandoned.”
“Apart from that, the graphics are simplistic so don't expect anything crazy.”
- music10 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- -10 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its quality and ability to enhance the atmosphere, despite being sparse throughout. Players appreciate the well-timed tracks and unique musical interactions, such as the waltz sequence, which contribute to the overall experience. However, some have noted that certain sound elements, like developer commentary, can be overshadowed by the music's volume.
“The music is also great; while there's not much music throughout the game, all the tracks you hear in the game are fantastic.”
“Great atmosphere, great art design, great sounds and music... I just have nothing to complain about.”
“On all the technical points, it works well: the art style is cohesive, the game runs smoothly, and the soundtrack is perfect.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks the depth needed to enhance the overall experience.”
“While the game attempts to create an atmosphere with its soundtrack, it ultimately falls flat and fails to engage the player.”
“The audio design is disappointing, with tracks that feel uninspired and do not contribute to the game's immersion.”
- atmosphere9 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its attention to detail, with exceptional visuals, art design, and sound that create an immersive experience. While some players find it less effective in delivering horror compared to other titles, many appreciate the eerie ambiance and subtle nuances that enhance the overall mood. The combination of unsettling sounds and thoughtful environmental storytelling contributes to a captivating and engaging atmosphere.
“Great atmosphere, attention to detail in visuals.”
“Great atmosphere, great art design, great sounds and music... I just have nothing to complain about.”
“Unlike the static speaks my name, which drew its horror from the mysterious and depressing situation of the main character and its frightening aesthetic, I feel that Bucket Detective draws its horror from the sheer absurdity and uncanniness of the world in which the story takes place.”
“Stand still in the mansion, and you will first hear it - flies buzzing around your left ear (or is your right counterpart?), a faint but steady air conditioner hum, the yawn of floorboards that stretch, ominous yet crisp footsteps in the distance, and door creaks -- all manifest into an effective pot of eerie house atmosphere.”
“I enjoy when an artist takes the time to hide jokes or craft the atmosphere even through seemingly unimportant props like books.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily a basic walking simulator with minimal interactive elements, focusing more on exploration and narrative than traditional mechanics. While some players found the dark humor and unique premise engaging, others felt the gameplay lacked depth and captivation. Overall, it offers a simple yet intriguing experience, especially for fans of the creator's previous work.
“Didn't disappoint, simple game with an interesting premise, puzzles, and easy gameplay.”
“If you enjoyed the gameplay and writing style of the static speaks my name, you're sure to enjoy this title; I know I did.”
“The visuals are nice, the themes are more sexual than anything, which was a bit weird sometimes, but above all, the gameplay is not captivating at all.”
“It consists of very basic walking simulator gameplay; the selling point is that it is supposed to be a bizarre game with dark comedy.”
“A quick, weird first-person narrative game, similar in length to the creator's previous game, but with some enhanced gameplay and multiple endings.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is well-optimized, featuring a cohesive art style and smooth performance, complemented by an excellent soundtrack.
“On all the technical points, it works well: the art style is cohesive, the game runs smoothly, and the soundtrack is perfect.”
“It runs smoothly.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability thanks to its multiple endings, which encourage players to explore different narrative paths. Its blend of humor and dark themes adds to the overall experience, making it both engaging and worth revisiting.
“A humorous, weird, dark story with multiple endings that adds to its replayability.”
“Brilliant, funny, deeply creepy, and highly replayable.”
“The game has a humorous, weird, and dark story, but the replayability is limited despite the multiple endings.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players feel that the grinding elements, particularly the tedious puzzle aspects, detract from the overall experience, suggesting that more engaging content or meaningful use of decorations would enhance the game significantly.
“If the developers had included more art pieces throughout the game or done something meaningful with the other decorations instead of relying on tedious puzzle elements, the game would be significantly better.”
“The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I found myself spending hours on mindless tasks that didn't contribute to the overall experience, which made the game feel like a chore.”
