Duck Detective: The Secret Salami review – “A quack-tastic meat-based mystery”

• Play as a divorced Duck Detective in this comedic adventure
• Quirky suspects to interrogate
• Put your sleuthing skills to the test

If you’ve ever wanted to solve a crime and you have a fondness for waterfowl, then Duck Detective: Secret Salami is for you. It's not launching on mobile until April. However, thanks to Snapbreak, the developer porting it to iOS and Android, I was able to get an early look at this masterful mystery. You’ll play detective Eugene McQuacklin, a struggling duck detective with a bread addiction. 

Duck Detective: Secret Salami has a distinct style

After being hired by an anonymous client to investigate a lunch theft, our avian investigator arrives at the BearBus office, a call centre for a public transportation company run by quirky anthropomorphic animals. One of the first things you'll notice is that each character is drawn with a white outline around them, giving them a paper doll vibe.

This vibe is enhanced by the way Detective McQuacklin and the suspects move about the office. It’s a charming and distinct art choice that solidifies the comedic atmosphere. Further, the voiceovers breathe life into each suspect and add to the hilarity. 

Duck Detective: get to know your suspects

Before your investigation can truly begin, you’ll need to learn the names and jobs of each suspect, starting with the giraffe at the reception desk. It's a bit tricky, however, since said giraffe isn’t interested in chatting with you. With some top-notch sleuthing, you'll soon charm your way into the BearBus main office and begin your investigation in earnest.  

Of course, you’ll need to figure out who hired you. Was it the sad giraffe? The gossiping sheep? The neurotic cat? It’s up to you to discover. Of course, your main goal is to figure out who the salami bandit, a lunch thief who leaves behind slices of salami as a calling card, really is.

Upon first meeting each employee, you’ll use your magnifying glass to stare at them intensely and pick up helpful details. For instance, by looking at the crocodile, you'll discern that he doesn't see very well. 

To move forward with your investigation, you must interrogate BearBus employees, search the office for clues, and use your journal to piece things together. You can talk to the workers to learn more about how they feel about each other. Throughout the 2-to-3-hour adventure, you’ll find a variety of important clues. It’s vital that you interview each character concerning each piece of evidence you find to get to the truth.

Fill in the blanks in Duck Detective: Secret Salami 

Once you’ve collected enough information, you can solve bits of the puzzle by opening your journal and filling in the blanks in mad-libs style. If you select to play story mode, you’ll receive hints when you fill in the blanks incorrectly. However, if you consider yourself a seasoned detective, you'll want to play in Detective mode, where you'll really be on your own.

Duck Detective: Secret Salami is an adorable, cosy mystery adventure featuring quirky, flawed characters. While you can’t nab this comedic detective mystery on mobile just yet, you can pre-register now on the App Store and Google Play. 

With engaging mysteries to solve, distinct suspects, and a whole lot of salami on the line, Duck Detective: Secret Salami is a one-of-a-kind sleuthing experience that’s sure to make you laugh and challenge your detective skills. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Upon its April 9th launch, you can download and play the first two levels for free.