Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,126 reviews
  • humor
  • story
  • graphics
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 a famous frog detective tasked with solving the mystery of a ghost haunting a small sloth. Featuring 3D exploration, quirky characters, and an original soundtrack, players will need to gather clues and interrogate suspects to crack this case. With an estimated completion time of one hour, it's a fun and approachable game for all.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,126 reviews
humor903 positive mentions
replayability10 negative mentions
  • humor911 mentions

    The humor in "Frog Detective 1: Haunted Island" is widely praised for its charm and lightheartedness, featuring quirky dialogues and absurd scenarios that often elicit genuine laughter. Reviewers note that while the game is short, typically lasting around an hour, its whimsical writing and memorable characters create an enjoyable experience suitable for both children and adults. However, some players found the humor to be hit-or-miss, with a few feeling that it leaned too heavily on simplistic or forced jokes. Overall, the game is celebrated for its delightful and silly approach to storytelling, making it a fun, cozy adventure.

    • “The humor is spot on, and it’s a blast chatting with all the funny characters while unraveling the mystery.”
    • “The writing is clever and filled with quirky jokes that really make it a funny and entertaining experience, while the game may be short it's 100% worth the money.”
    • “This game is so cute and funny!!!”
    • “Painfully unfunny”
    • “Another example of painfully unfunny writing stems from the sheep, who didn't know that people turn wool into clothing.”
    • “Most of it will be spent trying to click past all the ellipsis-only dialogue (like so: '...........') until you encounter actual words and you can finally cringe your way through the awkward, unfunny conversations.”
  • story398 mentions

    The story of "Frog Detective" is characterized as a charming, light-hearted narrative that revolves around a simple detective quest on a haunted island, primarily driven by fetch quests and humorous dialogue. While some players appreciate its cute characters and engaging writing, others criticize it for being overly simplistic and lacking depth, often describing it as a short interactive story rather than a traditional game. Overall, the narrative is seen as enjoyable for its whimsical tone, making it suitable for a younger audience or those seeking a casual gaming experience.

    • “The story is charming with an overexaggerated absurdity, so if you want a quick 1-hour game to relax with - this is it!”
    • “The story, characters, visuals, and music are all very simple, but they come together nicely.”
    • “It's a short and cozy game - but wow, it tells such a story in such a short time.”
    • “There's almost no story, no interesting characters, and gameplay is nonsensical.”
    • “The story is very simple.”
    • “The game itself is extremely short and simple, and the story is dumb and boring.”
  • graphics358 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, simplistic art style that many players find adorable and memorable. While the visuals are basic and reminiscent of low-poly designs, they effectively complement the game's quirky humor and lighthearted narrative. Overall, the graphics are described as cute and fitting for the game's tone, though some players note that they may not appeal to everyone due to their minimalistic nature.

    • “The art style is cute and memorable, as well as each character being easily identifiable by being a different animal, and they all have some fun dialogue.”
    • “With silly charming graphics, animations so wonky yet fluid they look like really wacky rotoscope, a perfect break from any high stress you have.”
    • “The graphics are cute and simple, and the characters are memorable.”
    • “The graphics are terrible along with the dialog, but who could be upset with a game like this?”
    • “The shallow graphics and lackluster story are just big turn offs for me.”
    • “The actual detective work is very rudimentary and the gameplay and graphics are very basic, but the game is not without its charm.”
  • gameplay267 mentions

    The gameplay of "Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island" is characterized as extremely simplistic, primarily revolving around fetch quests and linear dialogues with a small cast of quirky characters. Players engage in minimal interaction, mostly walking around and exchanging items, with little to no challenge or depth, resulting in a playtime of about 30-60 minutes. While the humor and charm of the writing are appreciated, many reviewers note that the lack of substantial gameplay makes it feel more like a short visual novel than a traditional game.

    • “The gameplay is light, focusing on exploration of a small environment, object collection, and interactions with a colorful cast of characters.”
    • “The gameplay is delightfully straightforward, but not so obvious as to get boring or feel like a chore.”
    • “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 very rudimentary - walk around talking to people and giving and receiving items - and the graphics are simple but cute.”
    • “The gameplay consists mostly of clicking through dialog, often the exact same lines over and over so you can actually proceed.”
    • “The gameplay is essentially just a bunch of fetch quests while enjoying the simplistic graphics and how weird everyone on the island is.”
  • music259 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its charm and suitability, often described as jazzy and relaxing, enhancing the overall atmosphere. Many players noted that the soundtrack is catchy and well-composed, contributing significantly to the game's whimsical and lighthearted tone. However, some reviews mentioned a lack of variety in the music, with certain tracks becoming repetitive over the short gameplay duration.

    • “The soundtrack is such a bop too!”
    • “The music really ties the whole game together.”
    • “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).”
    • “And then there was the music, a looping melody that drilled into my skull, turning the whimsical into the unbearable.”
    • “It was the soundtrack to my descent into madness, a relentless reminder of the time slipping away, irretrievable, wasted.”
    • “Graphics are surprisingly good considering how clunky they are, the music is on loop and I had to mute it as there is no option to turn it off.”
  • emotional154 mentions

    The "emotional" aspect of the Frog Detective series is overwhelmingly positive, with players praising its wholesome, funny, and heartwarming narrative. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke genuine emotions, from laughter to tears, while providing a charming and lighthearted experience that resonates with both children and adults. Overall, it is celebrated as a delightful and uplifting adventure that leaves players feeling joyful and connected to its lovable characters.

    • “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 felt what it meant to be human.”
  • replayability31 mentions

    Overall, the game is criticized for its lack of replayability, with most players noting that it can be completed in under an hour and offers little incentive to play again. While some appreciate the clever dialogue and the experience itself, many agree that the short length and straightforward nature of the game limit its replay value significantly. A few players mention the potential for multiple playthroughs to collect achievements or discover easter eggs, but this is generally seen as grinding rather than true replayability.

    • “Easily replayable 2 or 3 times, but at that point, you're just grinding for the last hundred or so achievements from side quests and all those easter eggs, but it's totally worth it.”
    • “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.”
    • “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 pointed out in the description, but the game is really short (definitely less than an hour) and doesn't really have much replay value.”
  • atmosphere28 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming, lighthearted vibe, characterized by funny dialogues, a colorful art style, and a relaxing soundtrack, often evoking a sense of joy and comfort. Players appreciate the quirky and cute elements that contribute to a pleasant experience, although some feel that the atmosphere could have been enhanced further. Overall, the game successfully creates a cheerful and engaging environment that resonates well with its audience.

    • “The atmosphere is cheerful with charismatic characters, pleasant minimalistic art style, and relaxing jazz.”
    • “A very short, quirky game that essentially boils down to walking around a tiny island and talking to the colorful cast as you piece together the required steps needed to solve a mystery, but it's one packed with so much charm and a very chill, relaxed atmosphere that makes it hard to play without having a big, dumb smile the entire time.”
    • “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.”
    • “There could have been a lot done to build on the atmosphere of the game, but they didn't.”
    • “The dialogue in this game can be cute and funny, but some of it does seem forced in its tonality; it does appear to be well thought out through-and-through, which I noticed and did appreciate.”
  • character development26 mentions

    Character development in the game is often praised for its charm and emotional impact, with many players highlighting the engaging dialogue and adorable character designs that enhance the overall experience. While some reviews note a lack of depth in gameplay, the strong character development and witty humor contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it enjoyable for casual gamers. Overall, the combination of cute designs and immersive storytelling creates a memorable atmosphere, despite some criticisms regarding gameplay substance.

    • “The character development left me with tears in my eyes more than once.”
    • “I would give this fantastic game 10/10 due to my sheer enjoyment of the story, the strong character development, as well as the soothing music while solving these cases!”
    • “This game is strongly held up by its charm, which is evident in the character design, dialogue, and simplistic setting.”
    • “Devs have just done the bare minimum for everything. I was fine with it initially as I was expecting they put most of their efforts in the story and character development, but well... it's basically a walking simulator. The tag 'adventure' is misleading; you just go back and forth between all the characters standing idle in this tiny place, verbose without being engaging for an adult like me. The constant cuts during dialogues make me feel sick after a while; it's too basic and boring.”
    • “There is not much room for character development, but it’s used really well.”
    • “Very simplistic art style and character designs.”
  • grinding23 mentions

    The reviews highlight that grinding in the game is often seen as tedious and repetitive, with players noting that it requires a significant time investment for minimal reward, particularly when pursuing achievements. Many found the gameplay, which primarily consists of fetch quests and slow dialogue, to be boring and lacking in immersion, leading to frustration and a desire for a more engaging experience. Overall, while some players appreciated the game's charm, the grinding aspect was widely criticized as a major drawback.

    • “A lot of grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It feels tedious and not very immersive, but feels rather forced.”
    • “This game is super boring and tedious.”
  • optimization10 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its excellent performance and lack of bugs, with users reporting smooth gameplay and high frame rates. While some note that the graphics may be demanding, the overall experience remains stable and enjoyable.

    • “Phenomenal performance!”
    • “You may not like it, but this is what peak performance looks like.”
    • “Good performance and no bugs.”
    • “A bit performance heavy for its graphics, but that's fine.”
    • “Performance: 1150 fps (real value)”
    • “Overall impressions & performance”
  • monetization5 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for being overly aggressive, with players feeling that in-game purchases resemble cash grabs. Additionally, the presence of microtransactions detracts from the overall experience, leading to dissatisfaction among users.

    • “The in-game purchases are well-balanced and don't feel forced.”
    • “I appreciate that the microtransactions are optional and don't impact gameplay.”
    • “The monetization model is fair, allowing players to enjoy the game without spending a lot.”
    • “Little cash grabby, grace and Thomas.”
    • “The magnifying glass ads some quack.”
    • “-- and the microtransactions, it's just not the same.”
  • 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!”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

Buy Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island

Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
1hMain story
1hCompletionist
1-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 9 analyzed playthroughs

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