8Bit/Digi

Welcome to another story of how attending a convention introduced me to an amazing game. The Game Developers Conference is an event where I stumble upon a good number of the games I review. One of those was  Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE, which first caught my attention at GDC 2023 during a special showcase.

Although it was still in development, the game left a lasting impression on me. However, that preview was for the Nintendo Switch version, I held out hope for a PC release. Fast forward to 2024, and the game finally saw a multi-console launch with Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus.

Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus is a noir-style detective game from the creators of the Danganronpa series. Players take on the role of a detective as they work to solve a series of mysteries.

Welcome to Kanai Ward

Players take on the role of Yuma Kokohead, who begins the game waking up at a train station with no memory of who he is. His only clue is a set of documents stating that he is a detective with the World Detective Organization (WDO), sent on assignment to the city of Kanai Ward. Something sinister is happening in the city, and its overseers, the Amaterasu Corporation, will do whatever it takes to maintain their control—even if it means keeping the WDO out by any means necessary.

With the help of Shinigami, Yuma teams up with other Master Detectives to solve the many mysteries of Kanai Ward. Along the way, they will uncover the dark secrets of the Amaterasu Corporation. At the same time, Yuma will work to regain his lost memories and discover the truth about his identity.

A strong noir story needs to maintain suspense, keeping the audience on edge and guessing at every turn. Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus achieves this by immersing players in a hostile, mysterious world. You awaken with no memory of who you are or your past, placing you in a vulnerable position where trust becomes a dangerous gamble. The relentless rain sets the perfect tone, mirroring the city’s grim and oppressive atmosphere. Movie fans may also notice subtle ways that sci-fi noir classics like A Scanner Darkly and Blade Runner had some influence on the world-building. I say subtle because it wants fans to know without making it too obvious.

Kanai Wards Top Detective

One major highlight of Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE is its open world. Kanai Ward is a city shaped by the perpetual rain, with everything from its infrastructure to building designs tailored to withstand the constant downpour. The city is divided into sections that reflect the socioeconomic status of its residents, and even the style of the inhabitants adapts to the ever-present rain, requiring practical yet fitting attire.

The gameplay is broken up into two parts, what happens in Kanai Ward and the events of the Mystery Labyrinth.

In Kanai Ward, players team up with another Master Detective to investigate crime scenes. They gather clues, analyze the events, and interview witnesses or potential suspects. The investigation process is enhanced by the unique abilities of the Master Detective you’re partnered with. Their special powers can be applied in various ways, depending on the case.

Once all the clues and information are gathered, they are analyzed in the Mystery Labyrinth. Guided by Shinigami, players navigate this realm and solve puzzles using the clues they’ve collected. These challenges include the Reasoning Death Match, where you confront an opponent with logic and deductive reasoning, or a Question and Answer segment. After navigating the labyrinth, the clues come together, and the mystery is finally solved.

Lot of Memories

Before you even arrive in Kanai Ward, Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus sets the tone with its masterful use of color and music. The game captures a blend of darkness and hopelessness but with an oddly upbeat twist. The colors that paint this world are both grim and vibrant. Immersing you in a mood that balances between bleakness and optimism. This works to its advantage because it needs such a tone because it works with this kind of setting.

The gameplay is easy to pick up, but the game doesn’t hold your hand when it comes to solving mysteries. Players need to explore every corner to uncover clues, as the game encourages independent thinking. The challenges test your deductive skills while still delivering a fun experience. I also have to admire the creativity behind the many mini-games within the Mystery Labyrinth.

Since this is the Plus version, the additional content just adds to game that has plenty of reasons to come back.

You’re the Culprit!

As mentioned earlier, the story is rich with mystery and twists. However, by the end, it goes a bit too far, becoming overly convoluted. Without giving away spoilers, I’ll just say that some of the late-game reveals feel either illogical or unnecessary. All it does is bloats the narrative. Additionally, a few twists were predictable, taking away some of the intended surprise.

Another issue I have with the game is how long it takes for everything to get started. I already have an issue with games that take too long to open up. Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus takes it to a new level. Chapter 0: Massacre of the Amaterasu Express acts as an intro and tutorial to the game but it’s a slog to get through. The worst is that there is no easy way to skip through some of the dialogue or moments during the game. With all said and done, it took way too long just to move on to the main game.

Despite these shortcomings, it was not enough to hamper my playthrough or overall experience.

Eliminator of Mysteries

Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus tosses you in a hostile city that is both grim and upbeat at the same time. The gameplay is easy to learn but will also test your critical thinking skills. Its visual design knows how to set the mood for the moment. Plus the game is rich in replay value, especially with the bonus content.

Disclaimer: The publisher through a PR representative provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus (PC)

9

Excellent

9.0/10

Pros

• Solid noir style story set in a hostile city.
• Gameplay that is easy to learn but will also test your critical thinking skills.
• Plenty to see in Kanai Ward.
• Visual design knows how to set the mood for the moment.
• Rich in replay value, especially with the bonus content.

Cons

• Story becomes convoluted near the end.
• It takes too long for the game to truly open up.