Master Detecitve Archives: RAIN CODE Review – Irrefutable (Switch)

Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE is a reunion project of sorts developed by Too Kyo Games and Spike Chunsoft. As Too Kyo Games was founded by former Spike Chunsoft employees. Most notably key members in the creation of the popular Danganronpa murder mystery series. RAIN CODE is in a similar vein. A murder mystery game with eccentric characters, a mysterious setting, and overly complex murder plots that no one would ever think of. 

Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE never truly reaches the highs of the series it harkens back to. Though it drops many of the limitations of that franchise to expand their horizons and their capabilities. The mysteries are intriguing and fun to solve, and the characters boost an already solid foundation. A tried and true Spike Chunsoft formula, as seen in both Danganronpa and Zero Escape.

Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

However, RAIN CODE features many of the same pitfalls as the games people are no doubt comparing it to. Characters repeat certain things ad nauseum, certain elements may feel too absurd to even be feasible, and the ending isn’t exactly the satisfying conclusion you want after pouring all the time and effort into the experience. And its nature as a Nintendo Switch exclusive limits the player base, and the extent of the game’s graphics and gameplay, occasionally causing some lag issues. 

Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE is available on Nintendo Switch for $59.99, with a Digital Deluxe Edition available for $89.99

This review contains minor spoilers for Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE.

Story – Land of Confusion

Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE follows Yuma Kokohead, an amnesiac detective who made a pact with the death god Shinigami. Yuma soon arrives in the mysterious Kanai Ward, a neon city completely cut off from the rest of the world. His job is to uncover Kanai Ward’s Ultimate Secret and solve the Great Global Mystery.

However, the city is almost entirely under the thumb of the megacorporation Amaterasu. And key figures in the company aren’t too keen on Yuma solving the mysteries. Luckily, he is not alone. Along with Shinigami, he will work with the other detectives in the Nocturnal Detective Agency to bring the truth to light.

Yuma & Shinigami

RAIN CODE features six chapters, along with a Prologue and Epilogue. Each chapter focuses on a new mystery with a new cast of characters. All the while, Yuma and the others slowly piece together the larger mystery at play. 

The chapters aren’t all even – there’s a strong case to be made that Chapter 0 is the best in the game – but they’re all strong in their own ways. Each chapter focuses on a different Master Detective, giving them all time to shine. However, with each chapter featuring new characters, there’s rarely a personal attachment to solving the mystery. 

The late-game reveals and plot twists embrace the absurd, but they manage to work. Unfortunately, not everything works. Especially some things at the very end. The resolution feels a bit rushed and lacking real emotional stakes. But a stumble at the end doesn’t entirely negate the hours of marathon before it. 

Master Detectives

Gameplay – Defective Detectives

Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE‘s gameplay is best summarized as Danganronpa‘s gameplay on steroids. If you thought it couldn’t get crazier than running over women in a car in order to gather your thoughts, then you probably want to sit down for this next bit. That being said, not everything is psycho-pop hilarious absurdity. There’s some calm in the storm.

A Whole New World

In the early stages of most chapters, Yuma can freely explore Kanai Ward. Each chapter opens up more of the city. While doing so, Yuma can accept a multitude of Requests from the citizens, quick little side quests that fill in more of the world and its inhabitants. Along with that, completing them rewards Yuma with experience points.

Earning enough XP increases Yuma’s Detective Level, gifting him with Detective Points to buy upgrades that make the other half of the gameplay easier. The Requests aren’t mandatory, but most of them are memorable, so you won’t regret doing them.

Yuma asks an ace question

Also, scattered across Kanai Ward are Memory Shards. There are 25 in total, 5 per character. Each one unlocks a conversation with the related Nocturnal Detective Agency member that builds your relationship with them. The conversations are great, though it sucks they’re locked behind missable collectables. However, there are hints for where each one is located. And beating the game unlocks extra help that tells you what chapter(s) each one can be found in.

Lock & Key

Yuma’s eventually going to come across a murder, though. He investigates each scene and the surrounding area, with important facts saved as “Solution Keys.” Much like the “Truth Bullets” in Danganronpa. 

A different Master Detective provides aide with each investigation using their “Forensic Forte.” A unique special power that assists their detective career. Each investigation finds perfect ways to integrate the vastly different Fortes they have. And none of it feels forced. 

Fubuki “helping” the investigation

Not to mention, every investigation is different. None of them feel the same. One focuses on solving locked room mysteries. While another focuses on something seemingly impossible to pull off. There’s a wide variety in only six core chapters, and it keeps things feeling fresh.

Shin’s Labyrinth

One of the main benefits of Yuma’s pact with Shinigami is access to Mystery Labyrinths. Physical manifestations in an alternate dimension of the mystery Yuma is investigating. This is when things get weird. The first clue toward that is when the death god transforms into a cute anime girl because Japan.

Yuma must traverse the Mystery Labyrinth, solve the mystery, and uncover the true culprit using his Solution Blade. And there’s a whole host of minigames in each Labyrinth that constantly keep you on your toes. From answering simple multiple choice questions to hop across dangerous pits to slashing through contradictions to defeat Mystery Phantoms trying to stop you. 

Inside the Mystery Labyrinth

Each Mystery Labyrinth has slightly different mechanics and flavor based on the mystery of that chapter, though I feel they could’ve done a lot more with it. That being said, the Mystery Labyrinths are by far the most fun aspect of the game. Even if the drawn out nature can be frustrating as you wade through minigames just for Yuma to reach a conclusion you figured out on your own hours ago.

Graphics & Sound – No Objections

Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE shares the same artist (and writer) as Danganronpa, so that distinctive character style is alive and well here. Each character looks vastly different, with little flairs to set them apart and show off aspects of their personality. Even the villains and characters that only appear briefly have unmistakable designs. As debates rage on about modern gaming intentionally making women less attractive and men less manly, it’s nice to just have a game where everyone looks nice. My only real complaint is that the 2D character art style doesn’t always translate well to the 3D models, making some things look strange.

And the visuals go way beyond just the characters. The dreary setting of Kanai Ward is brought to life with its bright, vibrant neon everywhere. And the marriage of a modern urban city with heavy industrial drain pipes to deal with the constant rain. It’s a place you’ll instantly recognize. The Mystery Labyrinths look amazing as well. Full of even brighter colors and Wonderland-esque impossible designs. 

Yuma talking with a citizen

The voice cast also does an incredible job bringing their characters to life. My favorite performances belonging to Lucien Dodge (Felix in Fire Emblem, Hifumi & K1-B0 in Danganronpa), Xanthe Huynh (Haru in Persona 5, Marianne in Fire Emblem), and Howard Wang (Hikari Ku in Octopath Traveler II, Vantablack in My Hero Academia). 

Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE was reviewed on Nintendo Switch.