The Salami Mystery is a short and interesting case.

I know a game has captivated me when I find myself wishing for more. That usually doesn’t mean I actually wanted it to be longer, but rather that I found myself completely captivated by the experience. However, when it comes to Duck Detective: Secret SalamiI really wanted to spend more time with Eugene McQuacklin, solve more cases, and learn more about the mysterious and dashing detective. At its core, the story presented in the game is as simple as its title. Eugene is going through a rough patch, business is at its worst ever, and there are no job prospects in sight. That is until he gets a call to investigate a robbery plot involving salami.

My first impression of the game was that I was thoroughly delighted to learn that all the dialogue is fully voiced, with veteran voice actor Sean Chiplock bringing our protagonist Eugene to life with a crude caricature of the performance, along with a number of other recognizable voices. The comedic tone is immediately established, with some of the ridiculous plot twists it tackles being based on typical hardboiled detective drama tropes. For example, Eugene is addicted to breadcrumbs, a very unhealthy food for ducks, and the detective himself comments on the shame he feels for his habit and how it has ruined his relationship with his ex. If you enjoy this type of humor, you’ll have a great time as the game delves into many classic mystery tropes alongside more current and contemporary themes.

After arriving at the scene of the crime, a bus company, Eugene gets to work. His first step is to find out who hired him to investigate the disappearance (and reappearance) of an expensive deli meat, and expose the overarching conspiracy lurking in the shadows. The game loop involves talking to suspects and asking tough questions. By talking to characters and solving available mysteries, players will receive a set of words that they can use to fill in the blanks to create “de-duck-tions”. These deducktions start off easy, with Eugene needing to develop profiles and figure out the identities of everyone in the office, as the characters aren’t particularly cooperative. Right after this introduction, the game throws up more words and ideas for you to use your skills on, and it can become a bit difficult as the plot becomes more complex.

However, there’s never an unfair difficulty increase or a moment where the mystery or any of the questions seem unintuitive. Although there were moments when I felt a bit uncertain about the answer at hand, the nature of the puzzles helped me piece together the puzzle. It’s possible that the amount of information and words you end up having to deal with, along with some confusing information and relationships between characters, can cause confusion. That’s why you have to pay attention to what you’re asking to disclose at any given time.

I would say the game is on the easier side, but it never reveals every mystery before you put it together yourself. In a way, Duck Detective: Secret Salami feels like a vertical slice of a larger game, a self-sufficient game genius lawyer cases of sorts. In between the deduction and questioning, you also have some investigation sections. These are sections where you take a close look at a character or part of the environment with your trusty magnifying glass. The art style here shifts between a more intricate and detailed style that’s up close and personal, and the more casual style that the game uses.

The premise of the mystery in Duck Detective: Secret Salami Simple and light, and never boring. What helps a lot is the eccentric cast of characters with very well-defined personalities and fun relationships. By the end of the game, I started to care about Eugene and the game’s wonderful cast. The game lasts about 2 to 3 hours and is the perfect length for the story it wants to tell. However… I want more! Considering how the game ends, I can imagine seeing more of Eugene McQuacklin, perhaps with a new companion and rebuilding his life. And I think the world in general deserves more Duck Detectives.

Detective Duck: Secret Salami available for Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and PC via Steam.

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