Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island

95%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,165 reviews
  • humor
  • graphics
  • story
Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island Game Cover
Impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding them back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash.
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In "Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island" , players assume the role of the famous investigator, The Detective, as they explore a 3D world to solve the mystery of a sloth's ghostly encounters. Meet a cast of quirky characters, gather clues, and enjoy an original soundtrack, all while experiencing an estimated one-hour gameplay time. This family-friendly game features a frog detective and promises a great time filled with laughter and intrigue.

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Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,165 reviews
humor453 positive mentions
replayability7 negative mentions
  • Charming characters and funny dialogue that made me laugh throughout the game.
  • Cute art style and relaxing music, creating a delightful atmosphere.
  • Short but enjoyable experience, perfect for a light-hearted gaming session.
  • Extremely short gameplay, taking only about 30-60 minutes to complete.
  • Lacks depth and complexity, primarily consisting of simple fetch quests.
  • Not much replay value, as the game is linear and straightforward.
  • humor456 mentions

    The humor in "Frog Detective: Haunted Island" is widely praised for its charm and wit, with many players finding the writing genuinely funny and the characters endearing. The game features a lighthearted, absurdist style of humor that resonates well with audiences, often eliciting laughter through clever dialogue and quirky scenarios. While some reviews note that the humor may not appeal to everyone, the overall consensus is that it provides a delightful and entertaining experience, making it a highly recommended choice for those seeking a short, funny game.

    • “The writing shines throughout, managing to be wonderfully wholesome, absurd, and often hilarious.”
    • “Incredibly funny and cute game.”
    • “The dialogue is genuinely funny, not going to die laughing, but is great for getting chuckles out.”
    • “Thankfully, I only paid about $2 for it since I got it on sale, but it was so boring and unfunny that I was practically speedrunning my way through it.”
    • “It's not funny either.”
    • “Boring and not funny.”
  • graphics156 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming, cute, and simplistic art style, which complements the humorous writing and overall whimsical atmosphere. Many reviewers appreciate the low-poly aesthetic and quirky character designs, noting that the visuals enhance the game's lighthearted tone, despite some criticisms regarding the game's brevity and lack of depth. Overall, the graphics are seen as a significant highlight, contributing to a delightful and enjoyable experience.

    • “The game offers some nice graphics and a really beautiful aesthetic; it is pleasant all the same.”
    • “This is a game with a very charming atmosphere and a very cute and appealing art style and soundtrack, one of the best I've seen in a while actually.”
    • “The graphics are cute for a minute but after that it dawns on you that's all there is.”
    • “The graphics are cute for a minute but after that it dawns on you that's all there is.”
    • “Cute art style and some quirky jokes, but it honestly feels more like a class project than a game meant for sale.”
    • “It's a glorified walking simulator with pretty lame graphics and dialogue that is far too short, and I've gotten more out of my money with plenty of other games on Steam.”
  • story155 mentions

    The story of "Frog Detective" is a charming and light-hearted narrative centered around a frog solving a ghost mystery on a haunted island. While the plot is straightforward and often predictable, it is enriched by engaging character dialogues and whimsical humor, making it enjoyable for a younger audience and casual gamers. Despite its simplicity and short length, the game effectively delivers a delightful experience filled with quirky interactions and a feel-good vibe.

    • “The story involves 'the detective' a frog who gets called by his supervisor to go investigate a ghost problem on the haunted island.”
    • “The story is fun and enjoyable, and the mystery itself, while easy to figure out, was fun to experience.”
    • “This game masterfully weaves its story, making you want to explore every nook and cranny to find hidden secrets and absurdly delightful characters.”
    • “I appreciate the art style and the cute characters, but there is really nothing much to this game aside from that; even the story is boring and not much of a mystery.”
    • “The story is linear, the mystery is generally none; it's more a walking simulator and fetch quest than a detective game.”
    • “The game itself is extremely short and simple, and the story is dumb and boring.”
  • music116 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its charming and fitting soundtrack, often described as jazzy and playful, which enhances the overall atmosphere. Many players appreciate the clever integration of music with the game's cute art style and humorous dialogue, making it a delightful experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the standout features, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and enjoyment.

    • “The soundtrack is fantastic, really wrapping the world together with beautiful tunes.”
    • “The characters are all super funny and charming, and I love the juxtaposition of the cute art style with the classic, hard-boiled detective jazz music (the music really made the game for me).”
    • “It's a fun game with an amazing OST and the art style is really cool.”
    • “The soundtrack is one of the only redeeming factors.”
    • “I wish there was more background music to set the mood, but to be honest, because this game is very cheap, I finished it in 50 minutes, and it didn't affect my game experience that greatly, so I'm not so bothered.”
    • “The art and music and coding is all there... but they need a writer.”
  • gameplay110 mentions

    The gameplay of "Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island" is characterized as simplistic and linear, primarily involving walking around a small environment, engaging in dialogue with characters, and completing basic fetch quests. Many reviewers noted the game’s brevity, with most gameplay lasting around 30 minutes to an hour, and criticized the lack of depth or complex mechanics, labeling it more as a walking simulator than a traditional adventure game. While the charming writing and humor were appreciated, the overall consensus is that the gameplay is minimal and may not satisfy those seeking a more intricate gaming experience.

    • “The gameplay is light, focusing on exploration of a small environment, object collection, and interactions with a colorful cast of characters.”
    • “There is a lot of fun to be had in Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island; it offers an uncomplicated but enjoyable narrative, light humor, a cute aesthetic, a well-fitting and jazzy soundtrack, as well as relaxing but satisfying gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is delightfully straightforward, but not so obvious as to get boring or feel like a chore.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly short and not offering much in terms of depth.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, it's nothing too special; you're just walking around and talking to characters.”
    • “The gameplay consists mostly of clicking through dialogue, often the exact same lines over and over so you can actually proceed.”
  • emotional84 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly positive, with players highlighting its cute, wholesome, and humorous nature. Many reviews mention the game's ability to evoke laughter and tears, creating a heartwarming experience that resonates deeply with players. The charming characters and engaging narrative contribute to a sense of emotional attachment, making it a delightful adventure that appeals to both children and adults seeking a feel-good gaming experience.

    • “This game is truly an emotional roller coaster!”
    • “What makes Frog Detective 1 truly special is the way it manages to balance its seemingly absurd world with a touching and heartwarming narrative.”
    • “I laughed, I cried, I learned to love.”
  • replayability18 mentions

    Overall, the reviews indicate that "Frog Detective" has limited replayability due to its short playtime of around 45 minutes to 1 hour and a straightforward narrative with no significant choices or challenges. While some players appreciate the clever dialogue and may find value in revisiting the experience, the consensus is that the game lacks substantial content to warrant multiple playthroughs.

    • “This is a really good game with a huge potential for replayability because the first playthrough and achievements leave a lot of open questions. I didn't read the spoilers, but I hope that I'll find at least a couple of easter eggs while replaying.”
    • “The replayability factor really depends on your kiddo's memory.”
    • “It has replay value to me because the dialogue is so clever.”
    • “Frog Detective is a pretty short title, taking me only 45 minutes to complete, and having pretty much no replayability unless you want to go through the story again.”
    • “If the game was truly about 1 hour of content, then perhaps the price tag could be justified, but unfortunately it's really a straightforward game that can be completed quickly with no replayability.”
    • “It’s good, but far too short for its price given its nonexistent replayability.”
  • character development17 mentions

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its charming and quirky character designs, which contribute significantly to the overall experience. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and humor, enhancing the emotional connection to the characters, despite some criticism regarding the gameplay's substance. Overall, the game's aesthetic and character interactions create a delightful and engaging atmosphere.

    • “The character development left me with tears in my eyes more than once.”
    • “This game is strongly held up by its charm, which is evident in the character design, dialogue, and simplistic setting.”
    • “The character designs are so charming and goofy, and the writing is equally delightful, making the whole experience overall charming.”
    • “The character development left me with tears in my eyes more than once.”
    • “The character designs are so charming and dumb looking, and the writing is so goofy that the whole thing is overall charming.”
    • “This game is strongly held up by its charm, which is evident in the character design, dialogue, and simplistic setting.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its charming art style, excellent soundtrack, and engaging sound design, contributing to a colorful and quirky experience. While some reviews note a lack of depth in gameplay, the overall ambiance is described as peaceful, relaxing, and enjoyable, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “It has graphics and sound design that perform well while maintaining the atmosphere and aesthetic that the game is going for.”
    • “This is a game with a very charming atmosphere and a very cute and appealing art style and soundtrack, one of the best I've seen in a while actually.”
    • “This may be a short game, but the atmosphere, music, characters, and overall feel give it such a charm that it was well worth the amount.”
    • “Of course, I'm not usually one to complain about length if the game is innovative; this, however, is bland both gameplay-wise and atmosphere-wise.”
    • “I enjoyed this game as it was peaceful; no campers, no getting sniped from 300m... you get the point, haha, just a simple relaxing atmosphere.”
    • “Comfy art style and atmosphere.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its stable performance and lack of bugs, delivering a smooth experience despite being somewhat demanding on graphics. Users report impressive frame rates, indicating that the game runs well even if it appears to have been developed quickly.

    • “Good performance and no bugs.”
    • “One for bug-free gaming with stable performance.”
    • “You may not like it, but this is what peak performance looks like.”
    • “A bit performance heavy for its graphics, but that's fine.”
    • “You may not like it, but this is what peak performance looks like.”
    • “Overall impressions & performance”
  • stability4 mentions

    Overall, users report a strong sense of stability in the game, highlighting a bug-free experience and stable performance. The absence of glitches contributes to an enjoyable gaming experience, complemented by impressive music and visual elements.

    • “I appreciate the bug-free gaming experience with stable performance.”
    • “The music is awesome, there are no glitches, and a lot of effort was put into all sorts of visual extras in the game!”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and forced, often feeling like a chore rather than an engaging experience. The repetitive nature of exchanging objects among NPCs can lead to boredom, detracting from overall immersion and enjoyment.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It feels tedious and not very immersive, but rather forced.”
    • “Really short and basically just about exchanging objects among NPCs in a tedious way.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    Reviews indicate that players feel the monetization practices lack transparency, with concerns that microtransactions detract from the overall experience, suggesting a disconnect between advertising and actual gameplay.

    • “The monetization model feels exploitative and detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “The microtransactions are overwhelming and disrupt the game's balance.”
    • “It's frustrating to see that progress is often locked behind paywalls.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

Buy Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island

Play time

1hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
1hMain story
1hCompletionist
1-9hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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