The best detectives in games, ranked

Key points

• Video games featuring compelling female detectives offer addictive gameplay and fantastic writing.
• Detectives like Anaya, Lynne, Ema Skye, Kyoko Kirigiri, Aya Brea, and Naoto are great characters.
• From a minor role to a central figure, female detectives in video games help solve intriguing mysteries.

Being a detective is one of the coolest professions and has been depicted in all sorts of mediums, from movies to video games. Gamifying investigations and making players feel intelligent for making astute observations and good judgments is difficult to accomplish. That's why the best detective games are praised for their satisfying stories and mysteries. Some video games feature detectives in a more passive role, often aiding the main character.

Many video games have featured compelling female detectives who are unforgettable to control or interact with. Gamers love them for their addictive gameplay, great writing, or a combination of both. These are the leading ladies of video games when it comes to investigation.

8 Anaya (Mass Effect 2)

An Asari detective who plays a minor role

Before players can recruit Samara Mass effect 2they must speak to an asari detective in Nos Astra named Anaya, who gives players a clue as to where to find this vigilante. Anaya doesn't have a major role to play in the game, but she makes a notable impression in the short time she has.

She considers it an honor to interact with a judge, and makes some funny observations about Shepard based on how players react to her. It's a shame Mass effect no longer features detectives, as Anaya gives a glimpse into what it might be like to solve a mystery in the series.

7 Lynne (Ghost Trick: Ghost Detective)

A rookie detective who helps Sissel on his adventure

Ghost Makeup: Ghost Detective is one of the best video games for fans of the puzzle-adventure genre. Moving Sissel's spirit to different objects and manipulating them to prevent avoidable deaths is a big part of what makes this game so special.

During his adventures, Sissel will team up with a rookie detective named Lynne, who he will have to save multiple times during his prolonged investigation. He is a great help when it comes to interacting with the physicist and plays a vital role in helping Sissel uncover the mystery surrounding his death.

6 Ema Skye (Ace Attorney)

Help Apollo as a detective in his cases

THE Asso lawyer the games feature numerous investigative sections where lawyers analyze clues left at the scene of a crime to uncover the true culprit in each case. As you would expect, these police investigations involve detectives with whom the protagonists must collaborate to access crime scenes and find valuable clues.

Gumshoe is a lovable character who is a fairly competent detective despite being quite airheaded at times. Some fans were saddened to see him replaced in Apollo Justice trilogy of Ema Skye, an emerging detective who uses scientific tools to discover clues. However, this captivating homicide detective quickly becomes a loyal companion to Apollo, providing him with the tools he needs to find crucial evidence to solve most cases.

5 Kyoko Kirigiri (Danganronpa)

The ultimate detective becomes involved in a twisted killing game

Danganronpa it's perfect for players who want a twisted approach Asso lawyerthe formula. In this visual novel, talented students are forced to participate in a murderous game where they must uncover the perpetrator of each crime in Class Trials to ensure their survival. The first title may be rough around the edges, but it features its fair share of excellent cases and memorable characters.

One such personality is Kyoko Kirigiri, a mysterious student whose ultimate ability is not revealed until players progress through the game. Kyoko is revealed to be the ultimate detective, making it clear why she was such a help to protagonist Makoto as he solved cases and uncovered valuable clues.

4 Aya Brea (Parasite Eve)

A New York police detective who must stop a mutated being

Eve parasite is one of the most unique games in the JRPG genre, using a short but meaningful length to let players enjoy a harrowing adventure full of body horror and evolutionary shenanigans. After watching an entire theater spontaneously combust around her, detective Aya Brea seizes her opportunity and pursues Melissa, an actress who has been possessed by the malevolent entity known as Eve.

It's up to this NYPD detective to hunt down Eve and stop her from wreaking havoc on the entire world. Aya is one of the best female detectives in gaming, and it's a shame that the series hasn't continued to give this protagonist the time in the spotlight she deserves.

3 Naoto Shirogane (Person 4)

A young genius who works as a detective for the police

Persona 4 Golden is filled to the brim with a host of memorable party members, and Naoto is no exception. The conflict she has over her gender and whether people would take her seriously if she were a man makes for an insightful commentary on the nature of society, which has aged beautifully.

This genius detective will slowly become more comfortable in her own skin, and players who impress her with their detective skills will be able to pursue a romance with Naoto if they wish. He's a powerful character with impressive abilities, a must for some of the tougher battles Persona 4 Golden.

2 Nancy Drew

The legendary teenage detective

• He appears in a total of 33 video games

While Nancy Drew may have seen her debut in literature, more than thirty games feature this young detective in a central role, earning her a mention here. Most of these titles, made by HeR Interactive, are point-and-click adventures with a gripping mystery at the heart of things.

The classic gameplay of these titles, combined with an easy-to-follow plot, makes it clear why Nancy Drew the games are perfect for young players to sink their teeth into. That said, these titles are fun for all ages and are worth playing for fans of classic adventure games.

1 Carmen San Diego

He was an exceptional detective before he became a criminal mastermind

The antagonist of a series of popular edutainment video games, Carmen Sandiego is a criminal mastermind who must be hunted down in each game before she can steal another monument or national treasure. For a simple video game meant for kids, there is a fair amount of backstory to this character that fans appreciate.

Carmen was an ace detective of the ACME detective agency before she got bored of catching criminals over and over again. He wanted a new challenge and set out to deceive ACME itself, succeeding more often than not as he pulled off one daring heist after another.