Frog Detective 2: The Case of the Invisible Wizard
- December 9, 2019
- Grace Bruxner
- 1h median play time
Impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding them back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash.
In "Frog Detective 2: The Case of the Invisible Wizard," players take on the role of the famous Frog Detective to solve a mysterious crime. The town's celebration for the Invisible Wizard has been ruined, and it's up to the Detective to find out who is responsible. With a lighthearted and quirky tone, players will search for clues, interview suspects, and use their detective skills to solve the case in this one-hour adventure. Recommended for those who enjoyed the first Frog Detective game, "The Haunted Island."
Reviews
- Charming writing and humor that keeps players engaged and entertained.
- The addition of a notebook feature allows for customization and tracking of clues, enhancing the gameplay experience.
- Short and sweet gameplay, perfect for a light-hearted gaming session, making it accessible for all ages.
- Some achievements are buggy and do not unlock as expected, leading to potential frustration.
- The game is very short, which may leave some players wanting more content.
- The gameplay can feel repetitive, as it primarily involves fetching items and talking to characters without much complexity.
- humor141 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm, clever writing, and ability to elicit genuine laughter, often through quirky characters and witty dialogue. While some players feel the humor may not land as effectively as in the first installment, the overall tone remains lighthearted and enjoyable, making it a delightful experience for players of all ages. The combination of absurdist and deadpan humor, along with cute visuals, contributes to its appeal as a cozy and entertaining game.
“The perfect series for when you're laid up sick and need something short, uncomplicated, and jolly (with the occasional hilariously terrifying character--dad-a-chum, lobster cop?) to get you through.”
“The humor is so good, there are so many little details that made me laugh out loud, and the art style is really cute.”
“This game never fails to cheer me up, the characters are lovable and funny, the game itself is almost like a big hug!”
- story72 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Frog Detective 2: The Case of the Invisible Wizard" is characterized by its charming and humorous writing, featuring quirky characters and a light-hearted mystery that appeals to players seeking a fun, short adventure. While some reviewers noted the plot's predictability and the simplicity of gameplay, many appreciated the character development and engaging dialogue, making it a delightful sequel that builds on the strengths of the first game. Overall, the narrative is described as heartwarming and entertaining, despite its brevity and straightforward nature.
“I loved the characters, and it was a short game, easy to complete, and the story was very adorable.”
“The story builds off the first game and only gets better in terms of character development, drama, and mystery.”
“The game is short, about an hour or less, but the charm is still here, with quirky characters and a surprisingly well-written story.”
“The game isn't worth $5, as it's mostly a trading quest walking simulator that you can finish in under an hour, just like its predecessor.”
“The story is tiny, the puzzles are easy, and it's not for everyone, but it is full of character and whimsy.”
“I hope this plot hole is fixed in the upcoming installments as it left me rather dazed and confused.”
- gameplay45 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Frog Detective 2: The Case of the Invisible Wizard" largely mirrors that of its predecessor, focusing on simple fetch quests and character interactions, with a few new mechanics like a notebook for tracking tasks. While the gameplay remains straightforward and lacks depth, the charming writing and quirky humor continue to engage players, making the experience enjoyable despite its simplicity. Overall, it offers a light-hearted adventure that prioritizes storytelling over complex mechanics.
“If you've played the first Frog Detective, you'll know what to expect here; Frog Detective 2 keeps things running as they were before, with a type of relaxed adventure game centered around gentle, slightly kooky humor, retro-inspired charm, and a gameplay loop that largely boils down to a fetch quest.”
“The gameplay is simple and functional—find an object and give it to the right person—but the writing is the star of the show anyways.”
“Though the gameplay has yet to evolve past being a daisy chain of fetch quests, it retains the silliness and charm in its writing that made the original entertaining.”
“There's only one gameplay decision to make - at the end, and otherwise it is just walking around a room, advancing dialogue of different characters until finished.”
“The gameplay consists of linear button clicking and the challenge is an annoying series of fetch quests where you have to find hidden objects.”
- music36 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its jazzy soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere and complements the whimsical art style. While some noted that the music is recycled from the first game, it remains a standout feature, contributing to the game's charm and enjoyment. Overall, the soundtrack is described as amazing, funky, and a perfect fit for the detective theme, making it one of the best aspects of the game.
“The music and characters continue to be amazing.”
“Once again, the soundtrack is amazing, with smooth jazz that reminds me of good old-fashioned film noir mysteries.”
“The cartoonish art style, a whimsical musical score, and humorous dialogue combine to make a refreshing break from the onslaught of other mainstream games.”
“Generally better than the first game in terms of content, but gameplay is too simple, basically a fetch quest walking sim. The achievement is insane without a guide, the characters are really irritating, music is repetitive, the dialogue is amateurish, and it's short.”
“The music is recycled from the first game primarily, and I would have loved some slightly spooky detective noir jazz tracks.”
“It also has the same soundtrack from Frog Detective 1, so don't expect a completely different feel in this game compared to the one before.”
- emotional35 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly positive, with players highlighting its heartwarming and wholesome nature. Many reviews express feelings of joy and nostalgia, often mentioning moments that brought them to tears, while the humor is described as genuinely funny and appealing. Overall, the game is celebrated for its cute characters, lighthearted storytelling, and the comforting experience it provides, making it a perfect choice for relaxing gameplay.
“Heart-warming story!!!”
“I cried!!”
“A very eye-opening game, I've been blessed to play such a heartwarming and wholesome game.”
- graphics28 mentions
- 68 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and adorable art style, featuring colorful, cartoonish visuals that enhance the whimsical atmosphere. Reviewers appreciate the charming character designs and the overall aesthetic, which, while simple, contributes significantly to the game's appeal. The combination of beautiful graphics and engaging sound design creates a delightful experience that resonates with players of all ages.
“The game offers some nice graphics and a really beautiful aesthetic; it is pleasant all the same.”
“Truly a world-changing event for gaming history; I mean the graphics are absolutely beautiful and the game design is a chef's kiss.”
“If you want to play this game for the aesthetic, that's the main thing it has going for it.”
“Better graphics (if you can believe it), tighter writing, and hotter characters.”
“The cartoonish art style, a whimsical musical score, and humorous dialog combine to make a refreshing break from the onslaught of other mainstream games.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its relaxing and cheerful qualities, enhanced by pastel colors, silly animal characters, and engaging music. Reviewers highlight the effective combination of lighthearted writing and entertaining dialogue, which collectively create a soothing and enjoyable environment that draws players into the world. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as both fun and immersive, contributing significantly to the overall experience.
“The writing and cheery atmosphere really sell the world of Frog Detective to me, and I can't wait for Frog Detective 3!”
“Everything in this game is designed to create a relaxing, entertaining atmosphere - pastel colors, silly animal characters, and very funny dialogue.”
“The lighthearted plot, silly dialogue, a cool jazz track, and a chilled-out atmosphere.”
- stability4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with most users reporting smooth performance and no major issues, although some achievements may be buggy. Additionally, it runs well on the Steam Deck, enhancing its accessibility.
“Runs great!”
“Also runs great on Steam Deck”
“Some of the achievements are a little buggy (there's a walkthrough with someone's suggestion in the comments to clear two of them), but overall the game's super cute.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's strong replayability despite its short playtime, citing enjoyable writing and appealing art style as key factors that encourage multiple playthroughs. Many have completed the game multiple times in a single day, highlighting its engaging content.
“I love the art style, and I don't mind that the playtime is only about 1 hour because it has great replay value.”
“I played it through twice on the same day I got it; it's not a long game, but the writing is such a pleasure that it's very replayable.”
“I love the art style, and I don't mind that the playtime is only about 1 hour because it has replay value.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is notably enhanced, particularly with the characters Mary, Ralph, and Lola, as the story builds on its predecessor, offering deeper drama and intrigue. Players appreciate the stronger character design and the evolution of relationships throughout the narrative.
“The story builds off the first game and only gets better in terms of character development, drama, and mystery.”
“Also, the character design got even stronger in this one, especially with Mary, Ralph, and [spoiler]Lola[/spoiler].”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game is noted for being performance-hungry, indicating that it requires significant system resources to run smoothly.
“Still pretty performance-hungry.”
“The game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, even on high-end systems.”
“Optimization seems to be an afterthought, leading to frequent stuttering and long load times.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and clichéd, lacking the charm that can sometimes make repetitive tasks enjoyable.
“The grinding feels more like a chore than an enjoyable part of the game.”
“I found myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which quickly became boring.”
“The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and detracts from the overall experience.”