Duck Detective: The Secret Salami

I wouldn't say I needed this game to be longer, as it's a perfect little cozy detective adventure as is, but I will say I NEED more Duck Detective in my life, and if Happy Broccoli Games can make some more of these, I'd be thrilled.

87%Game Brain Score

story, humor

grinding, replayability

96% User Score Based on 7,032 reviews

Critic Score 81%Based on 13 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $8.67

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About

In "Duck Detective: The Secret Salami," players join a duck detective in a sausage-based conspiracy investigation. They interview suspects, uncover secrets, and use deductive reasoning to solve the mystery in this cozy, 2-3 hour long game. Recommended by critics for its charm and execution.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Duck Detective: The Secret Salami screenshot

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,045 reviews

story636 positive mentions

grinding30 negative mentions

Charming art style and great voice acting that brings the characters to life.
Fun and engaging gameplay with a unique fill-in-the-blank deduction mechanic.
Humorous writing and clever puns that enhance the overall experience.

Very short game, typically completed in 2-3 hours, which may not justify the price for some players.
Some deductions can feel vague or require guessing rather than logical reasoning.
Limited replay value as the game only features one case.

story
1,408 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
54%
1%
The story of "Duck Detective" is a charming and humorous narrative that revolves around a seemingly simple case of a stolen lunch, which unfolds into a more complex conspiracy filled with unexpected twists. Players appreciate the engaging characters, delightful voice acting, and the light-hearted tone, although many express a desire for a longer experience with more cases to solve. While the game is short, typically taking around 2-3 hours to complete, it successfully combines fun gameplay mechanics with a well-crafted storyline that keeps players entertained.
- “The story continually added more twists and turns, revealing a far deeper story than I expected and continually had me hooked.”
- “It's a game that oozes personality and clearly had so much care and attention put into making it, from the Paper Mario-esque visuals to the way in which the plot gradually unfolds from a simple lunch theft to a greater conspiracy.”
- “The voice acting is terrific and adds a lot of depth to the characters, and their quirks and conflicts drive the story and make it worth playing to the end.”
- “Instead of feeling like a detective piecing together the story, I was stuck trying to figure out what the game expected me to say.”
- “Some story arcs were also just plain weird and rushed.”
- “The story is too simple; you only get to solve one case. I was half expecting after solving the mystery to have more cases to solve, or for the story to evolve in some way. It felt like an 'intro' mystery to get you accustomed to how the game plays out.”
humor
956 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Duck Detective: The Secret Salami" is widely praised for its charm and cleverness, featuring a mix of puns, quirky character interactions, and engaging voice acting that keeps players entertained throughout the short gameplay. While some find the humor to be hit or miss, many appreciate its light-hearted approach and the way it cleverly plays off noir tropes, making it a delightful experience for fans of comedic detective stories. Overall, the game's whimsical humor and adorable art style contribute significantly to its appeal, making it a recommended choice for those seeking a fun and amusing gaming experience.
- “Duck detective: the secret salami is a funny and charming 2-4 hour detective game that could be played in one or two sittings.”
- “The pun-filled humor and stellar voice-acting had me burst out laughing multiple times, and the story had just enough plot threads running through to keep it intriguing, even at a 2-hour playtime.”
- “The voice acting, humor and loading screen facts make the price 2000% worth it.”
- “The humor is really try-hard and cringey.”
- “Not funny, and I find it quite boring.”
graphics
874 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
36%
The graphics of "Duck Detective: The Secret Salami" are widely praised for their charming and adorable art style, reminiscent of paper cut-out designs, which enhances the game's whimsical and cozy atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the engaging visuals, vibrant environments, and the effective use of 2D characters in a 3D space, all complemented by excellent voice acting that brings the quirky characters to life. Overall, the game's aesthetic is considered a significant strength, contributing to its fun and immersive experience.
- “It's a game that oozes personality and clearly had so much care and attention put into making it, from the paper Mario-esque visuals to the way in which the plot gradually unfolds from a simple lunch theft to a greater conspiracy.”
- “The art style is a mixture of 2D cutouts in 3D environments, a combination which I find myself loving as more games of this style come out and in this game it works very well, with the cartoony duck detective waddling along the vibrant and detailed areas of the bear bus office.”
- “The art style is incredibly charming, and the characters made me chuckle a few times.”
- “I fell for the hype but really once you get beyond the cute aesthetic, it's an extremely basic game with almost no deduction required, very shallow puzzles and a quite tedious system for discovering new words to put in your journal (speak to everyone, fill out your journal, speak to everyone again, repeat) - it's also super short, I expected more than one case to solve to be honest, and some more backstory on our duck protagonist.”
- “The graphics are very cute and the controls are pretty easy, but unfortunately that's not enough to save it.”
- “But, besides visuals, none of its components seem to be executed well enough.”
gameplay
693 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
62%
2%
The gameplay of "Duck Detective: The Secret Salami" is characterized by its charming art style and engaging mechanics, primarily revolving around a mad-libs style deduction system where players gather clues and fill in blanks to solve mysteries. While many players appreciate the intuitive and accessible nature of the gameplay, some criticize it for being overly simplistic and short, typically lasting around 1.5 to 3 hours, which may not justify its price. Overall, the game offers a lighthearted and fun experience, though it may lack the depth and challenge that some players seek in detective games.
- “The gameplay loop consists of finding clues in the environment, talking with people (about said clues), and putting together everything in a logical order in your notebook.”
- “The deduck-tion mechanic is really clever -- it gameifies the process of detective work, but not to the extent of giving you the answers.”
- “The gameplay is very similar to the case of the golden idol; if you enjoyed that game and want something similar that's easier and more relaxing, this is a great option.”
- “On the gameplay side, it falls terribly flat.”
- “However, the experience felt overly restrictive, and the gameplay didn’t allow for much player creativity.”
- “The puzzles are too simple and the mechanics are pretty uninspired.”
music
379 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
66%
33%
1%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its charming and immersive qualities, with many reviewers highlighting its jazzy, film noir-inspired soundtrack that perfectly complements the quirky detective theme. The voice acting is also praised for enhancing the overall atmosphere, making the experience engaging and enjoyable. Overall, the combination of delightful music, strong voice performances, and appealing art style contributes significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
- “The soundtrack has the perfect blend of film noir style jazzy tunes, fitting for the overall mood of the game as you uncover the mystery with the down on his luck P.I.”
- “The music is awesome, with some really smooth jazz (love the saxophone!); like, I can totally imagine listening to the soundtrack while doing something else.”
- “The music and sound in this game are tremendously well-crafted; also, shame on the devs for not allowing us to buy the soundtrack.”
- “The music nails that jazz noir feel, smoothly transitioning when the player switches between waddling around and investigating.”
- “The music was incredibly complementary, with its jazzy, smooth tunes.”
atmosphere
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
47%
3%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charm, whimsical noir tone, and engaging presentation, enhanced by excellent voice acting and a fitting soundtrack. Players appreciate the cozy, fun, and sometimes quirky ambiance that complements the storyline and character interactions, making it an enjoyable experience overall. The combination of art style, music, and humor contributes to a captivating and immersive environment that resonates well with players.
- “The atmosphere and whole vibe was incredible, I can't wait to play the sequel.”
- “Duck Detective is oozing with charm and absolutely kills it with atmosphere and presentation.”
- “With its cozy atmosphere and engaging storyline, it's an ideal way to spend a couple of hours getting lost in a captivating gaming experience.”
- “The atmosphere is tense and the setting sublime, and I can't help but feel a tang of recognition while interviewing downtrodden workers in a bus station at the edge of nowhere. Oh, and the voice actors are excellently reliving the cheesiest of noir detective stories with perfectly delivered lines.”
- “Little bit lighter on atmosphere and topics.”
- “The art, presentation, campy atmosphere, and narration, and overall plot was good, if you only expect a casual detective game.”
character development
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
36%
5%
Character development in "Duck Detective" is largely superficial, with many reviewers noting the charming and cute character designs, as well as excellent voice acting that enhances the overall experience. However, there is a consensus that the game lacks depth in character development and emotional connection, leaving players wanting more substance beyond the appealing aesthetics and humor. While the characters are enjoyable and relatable, they do not undergo significant growth or transformation throughout the game.
- “The character designs are cute, and the personifications of the characters are done fantastically; the voice acting also adds a top notch to the feel of the game.”
- “Duck Detective is a fun, cozy indie game that hooked me with its quirky humor and charming character designs.”
- “I loved the character design and how cozy the game felt; all that being said, I highly recommend the game and would probably play it again.”
- “There's no character development and no deep connection with any of the characters.”
- “Voice acting and character designs are pretty well done, but there's no substance.”
- “Enjoyable but mostly carried by voice acting and character design.”
emotional
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is predominantly characterized by its wholesome and heartwarming nature, with players expressing joy and satisfaction from engaging in lighthearted detective work. Many reviews highlight the game's charming character design, humor, and the sense of accomplishment it provides, although some players felt frustrated or "dumb" at times due to obscure puzzle details. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to evoke positive emotions and create a delightful, cozy experience.
- “This is seriously one of my most heartwarming, cutest, hilarious detective games I've ever had the pleasure to enjoy.”
- “Thank you for producing something so beautiful, emotional, and powerful!”
- “Kudos to the writer and the whole team for this very short but very fun, almost heartwarming game.”
grinding
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
13%
79%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often requiring excessive backtracking and repetitive tasks to collect clues and solve puzzles. Many reviews highlight that the gameplay can feel shallow and overly simplistic, leading to a lack of engagement as players navigate through the same areas repeatedly. While some appreciate the art and voice acting, the grinding mechanics detract from the overall experience, making it feel more like a chore than an enjoyable challenge.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The process of collecting clues is also tedious.”
- “I fell for the hype but really once you get beyond the cute aesthetic, it's an extremely basic game with almost no deduction required, very shallow puzzles, and a quite tedious system for discovering new words to put in your journal (speak to everyone, fill out your journal, speak to everyone again, repeat) - it's also super short; I expected more than one case to solve, to be honest, and some more backstory on our duck protagonist.”
- “The game was frustrating because there were points where I would correctly guess what the game was trying to tell me, only for my deduction to be too early in some way or for me to need to sweep around the game to find the exactly right clue, and at times it began to feel tedious and annoying because of that.”
replayability
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
78%
11%
Overall, the game has been criticized for its minimal replayability, with many reviewers noting that it offers only a single story path and lacks multiple endings or significant decision points. While the experience is enjoyable and well-crafted, the short playtime of around two hours and absence of replay value make it less appealing for those seeking a game with lasting engagement. Some players suggest it could be more fun when played with others, but the consensus is that it is best enjoyed as a one-time experience.
- “I wish the game had multiple endings but only one true ending, so there's at least some replayable element.”
- “Would probably be a fun game to play with another person sitting next to you, so that ups its replayable factor.”
- “Though as everyone says, it's a bit on the shorter side, and while it isn't something that is really necessary, I'd appreciate some replayability options, like more achievements and a skip option for the final thing because I wanted to see how the different outcomes would play out.”
- “It's a game with a straightforward storyline, so if you want something that has a lot of replayability, this isn't for you.”
- “I think the saddest thing about this game is that it doesn't offer much replayability once you've finished it.”
- “I wish the game was longer as it only took about 2 hours to complete, so I'd recommend getting it when it is on sale, especially as it doesn't have any replay value.”
optimization
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
36%
8%
The game's optimization is generally well-received, with players reporting smooth performance across platforms, including the Steam Deck. The fully voice-acted dialogue enhances the experience, showcasing exceptional performances that captivate players, although some found the game's short length (1-2 hours) could be completed even faster by avid readers. Overall, the charming art style and engaging vocal performances contribute positively to the game's appeal, despite some players feeling that the voice acting alone couldn't fully elevate the experience.
- “Great Paper Mario aesthetic, most dialogue is fully voice acted, lovely performances, as well as a fun mystery!”
- “The voice actors deliver a remarkable performance, congratulations to everyone involved!”
- “The vocal performances helped the charm of this game, but they weren't enough to save it.”
- “I don’t have any real issues with the game’s performance and I played it on my Steam Deck.”
- “Seriously, the acting and performances in this game puts so many other games to shame; it's embarrassing.”
stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability, with users reporting no crashes or major technical glitches, particularly at 4K resolution and on Linux. However, some players have noted occasional bugs when using a controller and minor movement issues, though these do not significantly impact gameplay.
- “Runs great on Linux.”
- “Dyslexia friendly and runs great on Steam Deck.”
- “Playing with a controller is very buggy.”
- “Moving is a little buggy sometimes but it isn't game-breaking.”
- “I never encountered any crashes or any technical and visual glitches at 4K.”

81%Critics’ scoreBased on 13 critic reviews

Buy Duck Detective: The Secret Salami

3h Median play time

3h Average play time

2-4h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 52 analyzed playthroughs

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