The Detail

 PC
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 23
  3. Negative: 2 out of 23
  1. Grab It Magazine
    Apr 12, 2015
    90
    Rival Games has kicked off The Detail with an unforgettable first episode, setting a very high bar for itself. With so many different story threads started, the challenge will be to weave those threads together into a rich and satisfying tapestry that involves the player. And this is all while seeking to recapture that explosive opening where the player is pushed to look within themselves without necessarily finding a “right” answer.
  2. CalmDownTom
    Nov 12, 2014
    90
    Episode 1 does exactly what it should, grabs you right from the get-go and leaves you desperate for more.
  3. Pelit (Finland)
    Dec 16, 2014
    85
    A well-made police procedural. It’s only true fault is the short length, but perhaps that will be fixed in the later episodes. [Dec 2014]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. The Digital Fix
    Jul 13, 2016
    80
    The Detail is a valiant effort to bring gritty police drama to PC. Aside from some dialogue issues, the tone is flawless while the story offers up plenty of intrigue to keep any wannabe sleuth entertained for a few hours.
  6. Game Rant
    Apr 10, 2015
    80
    Its story and atmosphere are intriguing, if a little too reliant on dark tropes to get the gravity of the situation across, and the unique art style is eye-catching and memorable.
  7. Worth Playing
    Jan 15, 2015
    80
    Aside from the short play time, it's rather engaging, and while it is way too early to say whether The Detail ends up being a great adventure, the first episode will certainly whet the appetites of those who love a good police procedural.
  8. Impulsegamer
    Nov 11, 2014
    80
    Promising first episode.
  9. IGN Italia
    Feb 13, 2015
    75
    It tries to mix The Wire with the Telltale Games and maybe the ambitions are too high, but the mood is strong and there's some potential.
  10. Gamer.nl
    Jan 19, 2015
    75
    This dark point-and-click-adventure is too short, but it amazingly drags you into the story about crime in a Gotham-like city. Great animation style plus an interesting soundtrack.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 20
  3. Negative: 6 out of 20
  1. tupungato
    Jun 2, 2015
    4
    "The Detail" is a visual comic book style interactive novel set in noir atmosphere of an American city. You solve a crime playing as an aging"The Detail" is a visual comic book style interactive novel set in noir atmosphere of an American city. You solve a crime playing as an aging old-school bald detective and an ex-gangster.

    Don't let other reviews convince you that it's a point-and-click game! It's an interactive story with some choices. But mostly it's just click, click, click. That's why I don't recommend the game.

    The graphics style is quite good (only the "perspective" style faces in dialogue box are sort of "wrong"), there is no audio, no voice acting, only some music (it's OK). The story is... well, nothing special. Not bad, but not good either.

    The whole game took about 90 minutes of my time, but I believe you can finish it in 45-60 minutes. Unless you get it in some sort of game bundle, it's not worth the money.    … Full Review »
  2. Voyou
    May 22, 2021
    3
    This game thinks it's an American TV crime program. Cliches, stereotypes, catchphrases, credits after the first scene, and so on. The comicsThis game thinks it's an American TV crime program. Cliches, stereotypes, catchphrases, credits after the first scene, and so on. The comics format doesn't bring any energy or interest into the narrative. The gameplay is essentially visual novel, and during the point n' click scenes the interface is second-rate with a mouse, impractical with a gamepad. A lot of watching/waiting, very little of playing, and of course no ability to save, the one that entertaining games, a.k.a. other games, provide.… Full Review »
  3. baz1779
    Aug 10, 2019
    3
    I just cannot recommend this game. From the bland and cliched detective story to the dull and uninteresting characters, I was left bored theI just cannot recommend this game. From the bland and cliched detective story to the dull and uninteresting characters, I was left bored the entire time and just wanted it to be over so I could say I finished the whole game.

    Can appreciate the effort by the developers and with a bit more time could of been a decent game but instead we got this.

    Bought this on sale and I still feel robbed. Anybody expecting this to be anything like a Telltale narrative will be sorely mistaken.    … Full Review »
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