Duck Detective: The Secret Salami

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,516 reviews
  • story
  • humor
  • graphics
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami Game Cover
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.
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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.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,516 reviews
story317 positive mentions
grinding15 negative mentions
  • Charming art style and great voice acting that brings the characters to life.
  • Fun and engaging gameplay with clever puzzles that require deduction.
  • Humorous writing with plenty of puns and light-hearted moments throughout the game.
  • Very short playtime, typically around 2-3 hours, which may not justify the price for some players.
  • Some puzzles can feel vague or require guesswork rather than logical deduction.
  • Limited replay value as the game only features one case with no branching paths or multiple endings.
  • story703 mentions

    The game's story is a charming and humorous detective narrative that unfolds over approximately 2-3 hours, featuring engaging characters and clever plot twists. While many players appreciated the lighthearted tone and well-executed voice acting, some criticized the brevity and simplicity of the plot, expressing a desire for more cases and deeper storytelling. Overall, it offers a delightful experience for fans of cozy, story-driven games, though it may leave some wanting more content.

    • “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 story is fun and well written, and I loved the puns and light-hearted humor in the game.”
    • “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.”
    • “The story had too many loose threads and unnecessary plots, but overall it was a fun experience.”
    • “The story is just very confused and muddled, and the goofy, nonsensical tone of the game doesn't help matters either.”
  • humor477 mentions

    The humor in "Duck Detective: The Secret Salami" is widely praised for its charm and cleverness, featuring a mix of pun-filled dialogue, quirky characters, and engaging voice acting that keeps players entertained throughout the short gameplay. While some find the humor to be hit or miss, many appreciate the light-hearted, whimsical tone and the clever nods to noir tropes, making it a delightful experience for fans of comedic detective stories. Overall, the game is described as funny, cute, and well-crafted, with a strong emphasis on character-driven humor and engaging writing.

    • “The art style, voice acting, and music immerse you in this quirky world, and there are so many funny duck puns!”
    • “Duck detective: the secret salami is an incredibly well voice acted detective adventure with fun humor, quirky characters, and great art design.”
    • “The humor is pun-ishingly funny, making you crack up as you crack the case.”
    • “The humor is really try-hard and cringey.”
    • “Not funny, and I find it quite boring.”
  • graphics435 mentions

    The graphics of "Duck Detective: The Secret Salami" are widely praised for their charming and adorable art style, reminiscent of paper cutouts and classic cartoon aesthetics. Reviewers highlight the game's vibrant visuals, engaging character designs, and the effective use of voice acting that enhances the overall experience. The combination of cute graphics, a whimsical atmosphere, and a fitting soundtrack contributes to a delightful and immersive gameplay experience, despite some critiques regarding the game's brevity.

    • “The art style is incredibly charming, and the characters made me chuckle a few times.”
    • “The graphics are quirky, like a children’s book gone noir, and the jazzy soundtrack sets the perfect mood.”
    • “The art style is adorable, the gameplay is fun, and the writing is hilarious.”
    • “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 cute, and they complement the silly nature of the overall game quite well, but unfortunately that's not enough to save it.”
    • “It's funny, well-written, well voice-acted and has a cute art style but it felt like a prologue and not a $10 product.”
  • gameplay342 mentions

    The gameplay of "Duck Detective" is characterized by its charming art style and engaging mechanics, primarily revolving around a unique "deducktion" 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. Overall, the game offers a lighthearted detective experience that balances humor and puzzle-solving, though it may not satisfy those seeking deeper complexity.

    • “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.”
    • “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 mechanics of putting the clues together were very intuitive and fun as well, and the hint system helped you get a good start without giving too much away.”
    • “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 story itself is boring and the 'collecting clues to make deduc(k)tions' mechanic falls apart quickly.”
  • music189 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its charming and fitting soundtrack, which effectively complements the quirky art style and engaging narrative. Many reviewers highlighted the jazzy, film noir-inspired tunes that enhance the overall atmosphere, making the gameplay experience both relaxing and immersive. Overall, the combination of excellent voice acting and a delightful musical score contributes significantly to the game's appeal, creating a memorable and enjoyable experience for players.

    • “The music and art style are awesome, with the puzzles ranging from pretty obvious to forcing you to think for yourself.”
    • “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 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 kept the mystery vibes of the game, and the voice overs were so good.”
  • atmosphere46 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charm and whimsical noir vibe, enhanced by excellent voice acting, engaging music, and cute art style. Players appreciate the cozy and immersive environment that complements the storyline, making it a delightful experience for casual gaming. Overall, the combination of humor, character design, and a captivating setting contributes to a memorable and enjoyable atmosphere.

    • “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 twinge 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.”
    • “The noir atmosphere drips with charm, capturing the essence of classic detective tales while adding a feathery twist.”
    • “Little bit lighter on atmosphere and topics.”
  • character development29 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally viewed as lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that while the character designs are cute and the voice acting is excellent, there is little to no substantial growth or connection with the characters. The charming and humorous character designs, along with the engaging voice performances, contribute to the game's overall appeal, but they do not compensate for the absence of meaningful character arcs. Overall, the game excels in style and presentation but falls short in character development.

    • “The character designs are cute, and the personifications of the characters are done fantastically; the voice acting also adds a top-notch feel to the game.”
    • “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.”
    • “Duck detective is a fun, cozy indie game that hooked me with its quirky humor and charming character designs.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional27 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome and heartwarming tone, 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 puzzles. Overall, it is celebrated as a delightful and entertaining experience that evokes positive emotions and a sense of nostalgia.

    • “Thank you for producing something so beautiful, emotional and powerful!”
    • “This is seriously one of my most heartwarming, cutest, hilarious detective games I've ever had the pleasure to enjoy.”
    • “Kudos to the writer and the whole team for this very short but very fun, almost heartwarming game.”
  • grinding19 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often requiring excessive backtracking and interaction to collect clues and complete tasks. While some enjoy the charm and premise, many express frustration with the lack of depth in puzzles and the time-consuming nature of clue collection, leading to a sense of annoyance rather than engagement.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The process of collecting clues is also tedious.”
    • “It's a bit tedious as you find yourself running in circles over and over and guessing often.”
    • “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).”
  • replayability18 mentions

    Overall, the game has minimal replayability, with most players 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, its short duration and straightforward narrative limit the incentive to replay. Many recommend it for a one-time playthrough, especially when on sale, but caution against expecting lasting engagement.

    • “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.”
    • “Given all that, I would really like to recommend the game, but the price just isn't worth the amount of content on offer, especially since the game doesn't really have any kind of replay value.”
  • optimization18 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game is well-received, with players praising the fully voice-acted performances that enhance the charm and storytelling. Many users noted that the game runs smoothly on various platforms, including the Steam Deck, and highlighted the captivating vocal performances that elevate the experience, despite some players finishing the game quicker than the estimated playtime. The art direction and character design also received positive remarks, contributing to the game's overall appeal.

    • “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.”
  • stability6 mentions

    Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability with no significant crashes or visual glitches reported, particularly at 4K resolution and on Linux. However, some users noted occasional bugs when using a controller and minor movement issues, though these do not detract from the overall experience.

    • “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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

71% average critic score

Buy Duck Detective: The Secret Salami

Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
2-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 26 analyzed playthroughs

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