Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus is a thrilling action-adventure game featuring Yuma, a boy with amnesia, who discovers he is a detective-in-training with a death spirit shadowing him. The same team behind Danganronpa, including the character designer, composer, and creator, expertly wove this dark fantasy into the detective genre. Returning fans will be greeted with a familiar atmosphere and recognizable music. However, Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus introduces a new adventure entirely. Released initially as Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE for Nintendo Switch in June 2023 to high praise, Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus includes enhancements and additional features for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.

A powerful megacorporation holds sway in a cyberpunk city shrouded in numerous unsolved mysteries. To confront these mysteries, Master Detectives from across the globe must unite, each gifted with unique powers. Yuma Kokohead, accompanied by Shinigami, joins the investigation as a trainee of the detective agency.

The narrative unfolds as they delve into the “real world” investigations to collect clues essential for solving each puzzle. Then, armed with these clues, they navigate the challenges of the “Mystery Labyrinth.” The key to revealing the truth lies in strategically utilizing the gathered evidence within the Mystery Labyrinth.

Dying to Solve Some Mysteries

Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus utilizes unique mechanics such as Investigation, Forensic Forte, epic combat, and extensive storytelling to bring players a detective game like no other.

The detective genre has never stopped being a favorite for many, and going into this game does not require players to be familiar with nor to have played Danganronpa. The Danganronpa fanbase is vast and loving and extends to Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus. This game does something many haven’t experienced before. 

The characters are well-written, and even Yuma plays an important role beyond the controllable protagonist in the game. The air of mystery between characters and the investigation settings the game puts you into. The unique style of the characters is intriguing. Many characters have a burst of wild neon colors with epic introductions. Every detective character wields a unique power that helps them solve cases, adding another layer of mystery to the game.

Seek the Truth

After Chapter 0, players can roam the city, interact with citizens, obtain sidequests, and discover hidden items. 

The narrative is every bit as captivating as the genre. Immediately after the game starts, the mystery begins. Chapter 0 is a lengthy introduction that is hands-on and thrilling. It presents the Investigation sequence mechanic, which was nothing I had ever seen before in a game. The Investigations are well-timed and provide enough clues to provide a solid idea of what is afoot. 

By the end of the first investigation, the screen prompts you with a “Who is the most suspicious?” choice, and players will be thrown into their theories. 

After Chapter 0, you are introduced to a cyberpunk-like city, which becomes the game’s primary setting, and the real story takes off. Players can roam the city, interact with citizens, obtain side quests, and discover hidden items. The city is a neon noir landscape. There’s a big murder, a big bad that escaped a sealed room now on the run, and Yuma and his playful ghost buddy, Shinigami, are tasked with solving the mystery, which leads to time being of the essence. 

Verdict

Every case grows with intensity and creativity. After each case, I was eager to dive into the next. I would have liked the killer and suspects to feel more like characters rather than pawns for the case. It was hard to connect with the cases in this sense because those involved weren’t very memorable, but otherwise, the cases were still fun to play through.

This game is excellent at keeping you on your toes with a blend of storytelling, mystery-solving, and action. The game promises over thirty hours of gameplay, with every case growing in intensity and creative wit. 

Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.

This game was played with an Xbox controller. 

Reviewed on Steam. Review code provided by the publisher.