Master Detective Archives: Rain Code

About

"Master Detective Archives: Rain Code" is a dark fantasy detective action game with a lucid-noir atmosphere, from the creators of Danganronpa. As an amnesiac detective-in-training named Yuma, you're haunted by a spirit called Shinigami, and together you tackle unsolved mysteries in the rain-soaked city of Kanai Ward. You'll explore the city in 3D, find Solution Keys, and work with Master Detectives who have unique supernatural abilities, called Forensic Fortes, to help solve cases.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Master Detective Archives: Rain Code screenshot

Skip User Reviews

76%

Audience ScoreBased on 10 reviews

story9 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

The game features a captivating narrative with a vibrant cast of eccentric characters, making it engaging for fans of mystery and visual novels.
It offers a unique blend of detective work and adventure, with intriguing mysteries and enjoyable gameplay mechanics that keep players invested.
The art direction, music, and voice acting are of high quality, enhancing the overall experience and atmosphere of the game.

Some gameplay elements, such as the Mystery Labyrinths, can feel repetitive and detract from the overall flow and immersion of the game.
There are technical shortcomings, including graphical issues and slow-paced introductions, which may hinder the experience for some players.
Certain characters and story elements lack depth, and the reliance on fan-service may not appeal to all players.

story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The game's story is characterized by a zany and engaging narrative filled with twists and turns, complemented by well-written characters and strong voice acting. Players appreciate the balance of levity and darkness, as well as the addictive gameplay loop that keeps the experience fresh and original. However, some critiques mention a lack of emotional depth and tension outside the main storyline, suggesting that the narrative could benefit from deeper character interactions and exploration of its darker themes.
- “Uses a zany story, uniquely expressive characters, and a perfect blend of mystery and adventure.”
- “A unique story in a fun setting and with a really addictive gameplay loop, Master Detective Archives: Rain Code feels really original while retaining a familiar formula.”
- “The narrative lacks tension and emotional weight, and you never get enough time with the characters.”
- “Every time you think you've got it all figured out, the storyline seems to always go in a completely different direction, with enormous amounts of twists and turns.”
- “Some unfortunate technical shortcomings hold it back; open environments and side quests aren't as compelling, and it should have leaned into its darker themes even more.”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
28%
27%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with praise for the character design and striking visuals, particularly in the engaging mystery labyrinths. However, many users note issues such as muddy visuals, graphical glitches, and a washed-out appearance that detract from the overall experience. While the art style and voice acting are appreciated, the execution suffers from inconsistencies and a reliance on outdated tropes.
- “The writing and character design is superb with excellent voice acting and visuals.”
- “Striking visuals and outlandish, memorable character design; mystery dungeons have creative, fun obstacles and engaging visual design; the dialogue between Yuma and Shinigami is very enjoyable.”
- “Intriguing story and characters, attractive visuals and voice acting; mystery labyrinth sections are fun.”
- “There are sparks of light, such as its setting and the twists featured in the final chapters, but the ridiculously linear mystery labyrinths, poorly written characters, long load times, and graphical issues set things back.”
- “Muddy visuals and frequent graphical glitches, over-reliance on quick time events, some notable logic contrivances.”
- “The mystery labyrinth is a bit too much 'style over substance', in-game graphics look a little blurry.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
12%
38%
The gameplay of "Master Detective Archives: Rain Code" is characterized by a unique and engaging investigation mechanic, complemented by a compelling story and likable characters. However, it suffers from repetitive elements, slow-paced labyrinths, and navigation challenges that can disrupt immersion. While the game features creative visuals and an addictive loop, the heavy reading and fan-service aspects may deter some players.
- “A unique story in a fun setting and with a really addictive gameplay loop, Master Detective Archives: Rain Code feels really original while retaining a familiar formula.”
- “Compelling story, likable characters, engaging investigation mechanics.”
- “The overarching mystery has just the crazy, unexpected, yet enjoyable twist I was hoping for. Each chapter's murder case is a satisfying bite-sized mystery, and the art style and soundtrack are both great and fit the atmosphere. The contradiction-smashing gameplay is fun, if a bit slow-paced.”
- “But while the game delivers an excellent cast of characters and some truly intriguing mysteries to solve, it also stumbles in its methods, introducing mechanics and locations that outstay their welcome and become frustratingly repetitive.”
- “However, its gameplay, particularly the slow-paced mystery labyrinth and the overdone fan-service elements, can sometimes disrupt the overall flow and immersion of the game.”
- “Lots of reading may put some players off; Kanai Ward can be difficult to navigate, and there isn't enough gameplay besides the mystery labyrinths.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
Character development is highlighted as a strong point, with superb writing, memorable character design, and excellent voice acting enhancing the narrative. The interplay between characters, particularly Yuma and Shinigami, adds depth to the story, while the dark themes and complex mysteries are effectively supported by engaging visuals and fast-paced sequences. Overall, the combination of creative design and compelling dialogue contributes to a rich character experience.
- “The writing and character design is superb with excellent voice acting and visuals.”
- “The dark narrative and complex mysteries are perfectly complemented by fast-paced sequences and deep character development.”
- “[Creative visual representation of mechanics, great character designs and voice acting, interesting mysteries to unfold, great OST.]”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
Overall, "Rain Code" features a stylish presentation that compensates for some performance limitations, including age-old issues on the Switch and a slightly slow start. While not perfect, the game benefits from performance upgrades in its plus edition, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.
- “While some performance limitations stop it from looking its best, Rain Code’s strong and effortlessly stylish presentation more than makes up for it.”
- “With the added bonus of new content in the Plus Edition, including the extra subchapters and performance upgrades, the game stands as a must-play for both mystery enthusiasts and fans of the Danganronpa series.”
- “While some performance limitations stop it from looking its best, the game's strong and effortlessly stylish presentation more than makes up for it.”
- “Ubiquitous, age-old Switch performance issues hinder the overall experience.”
- “Despite the added bonus of new content in the plus edition, including extra subchapters and performance upgrades, the game still suffers from optimization issues.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The music in the game is widely praised for its excellence and ability to enhance the atmosphere, with a fantastic soundtrack that complements the art style and gameplay. While some reviews note issues with repetitive music and predictable elements, the overall consensus highlights the music as a standout feature that contributes significantly to the immersive experience.
- “Excellent music and voice acting.”
- “Amazing music and soundtrack, twists are exciting and engaging.”
- “Art style and soundtrack are both great and fit the atmosphere.”
- “The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it feel stale after a short time.”
- “There are performance issues with the music that detract from the overall experience.”
- “Some of the music choices are predictable and fail to enhance the gameplay.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that the emotional aspect of the game is lacking, with a narrative that fails to build tension or deliver significant emotional impact. Players feel that there is insufficient engagement with the characters, resulting in a diminished connection to the story. Additionally, the limited activities outside the main plot contribute to a sense of emotional emptiness.
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's stability is marred by muddy visuals and frequent graphical glitches, which detract from the overall experience. Additionally, an over-reliance on quick time events and notable logic contrivances further contribute to a sense of instability in gameplay.
- “Muddy visuals and frequent graphical glitches make the experience frustrating.”
- “The game suffers from an over-reliance on quick time events, which disrupts gameplay.”
- “There are some notable logic contrivances that detract from the overall stability of the game.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users generally find the game's replayability lacking, citing stiff animations and a confusing environment that makes it easy to get lost, ultimately leading to a low incentive to replay.
- “The stiff animations make it hard to stay engaged, and I found myself getting lost easily, which really diminishes the replay value.”
- “With such low replay value, I don't see myself coming back to this game after finishing it once.”
- “The lack of variety in gameplay means that once you've completed it, there's little incentive to replay.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game retains its signature dark humor and bizarre premise, while offering a fresh perspective on the unique gameplay that characterized the previous entries in the series.
- “It’s got the same dark humor and an unapologetically weird premise, and it features a slightly different take on the contradiction-smashing gameplay that made the former series stand out.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by its intriguing overarching mystery and satisfying bite-sized murder cases, complemented by a fitting art style and soundtrack. Players appreciate the enjoyable twists and the fun, albeit slow-paced, contradiction-smashing gameplay that contributes to the overall experience.
- “The overarching mystery has just the crazy, unexpected, yet enjoyable twist I was hoping for. Each chapter's murder case is a satisfying bite-sized mystery. The art style and soundtrack are both great and fit the atmosphere perfectly.”

Skip Critic Reviews

78%Critics’ scoreBased on 42 critic reviews

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Master Detective Archives: Rain Code

87%518reviews