AdventureFit check
Is The Darkside Detective worth it for you?
We tell you who should skip it, too.
Play it if you…
Good fit- Adventure players who want short paranormal investigations
- Fans of comedic mysteries who prefer episodic cases
- Point-and-click players who enjoy examining scenes and solving odd situations
Skip it if you…
Saves you a refund- Players seeking a long, continuous adventure may find the 9 cases too brief
- Players wanting combat, character progression or an expansive open world may find the investigation-focused structure limited
- Players who prefer realistic detective stories may not enjoy the supernatural threats and absurd humor
Our take on The Darkside Detective
The bite-sized case format keeps each investigation focused, but it also limits the length and depth of the overall adventure. The deliberately comedic supernatural setting further trades realistic detective drama for eccentric situations and rapid tonal shifts.
What is The Darkside Detective?
The Darkside Detective is a comedic point-and-click adventure about Detective Francis McQueen and Officer Patrick Dooley investigating strange incidents in Twin Lakes City.
The complete first season contains 9 short paranormal cases, including a Christmas special. Investigations take place across eerie locations involving cultists, demons, tentacles, zombies and other unusual problems. Players examine scenes, interact with objects and use deduction to resolve each case. The game presents its story as a serial collection of investigations, with colorful citizens and deliberately absurd situations. Music is composed by Ben Prunty, known for work on Into the Breach, Subnautica and FTL. The feature list also mentions at least three jokes and a free curse-removal service covering mid-level witch hexes.
How The Darkside Detective plays
- 01Nine Paranormal Cases
- The first season includes 9 investigations around Twin Lakes, with one Christmas-themed episode.
- 02Object-Based Investigation
- Cases require examining locations, interacting with objects and applying deduction to resolve unusual incidents.
- 03Detective Duo
- Detective Francis McQueen investigates alongside Officer Patrick Dooley.
- 04Ben Prunty Soundtrack
- The music comes from the composer associated with Into the Breach, Subnautica and FTL.
Games like The Darkside Detective
Adventure
AdventureThe Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark
Akupara GamesFor:Point-and-click adventure fans who want a sequence of self-contained investigationsSkip if:Players who want a single continuous case may find the nine standalone investigations fragmented.
AdventurePolice Quest™ Collection
ActivisionFor:Adventure players who want police investigations built around unfolding crime mysteriesSkip if:Players seeking action-heavy gameplay rather than investigation-focused crime adventures
AdventureZueirama
Memes GamesFor:Players who enjoy meme-heavy humor and Brazilian cultural referencesSkip if:Players seeking a focused platformer may bounce off the shifts between shooting, driving, underwater play, flying, and exploration.Picked by overlapping fit notes and genres, not an editorial comparison.
The Darkside Detective: platforms & release
Is The Darkside Detective worth it?
It is worth it if: adventure players who want short paranormal investigations. Skip it if: players seeking a long, continuous adventure may find the 9 cases too brief.
Where can I download The Darkside Detective?
Use the Download Now button on this page: it opens The Darkside Detective's store page, where you can choose how to get it.
What platforms is The Darkside Detective on?
Windows, macOS and Linux.
