Do you wish to become a detective? Have you tried any of the detective games PS4 has to offer? If not, you’re in for something special.
We’ve something exciting for you. Detective games are probably the best for people who have a love for Sherlock Holmes and classic mystery.
Don’t worry. We’ve put together some of the best detective games on PS4 right here.
- Return of the Obra Dinn tasks you with deducing each crew member’s fate on an 1800s ship.
- L.A. Noire was remastered for PS4 with postwar Hollywood as the setting.
- Detroit: Become Human offers three playable characters, with android Connor delivering the most investigation-focused gameplay.
- Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments covers six Victorian London cases with a full deduction system.
- Most PS4 detective games are offline single-player experiences.
#About Detective Games on PS4
Are you one of those gamers who want the best detective games PS4 could offer? These games still feel fresh for most players.
There’s an endless world for gamers where they can keep pushing their boundaries. Detective games are among the most intriguing genres; they deliver mystery-solving gameplay that feels remarkably close to real-life investigation.
These games were designed to give you an experience close to actual mystery solving. They’re considered some of the best simulation games available. You get the thrill of outdoor investigation while sitting comfortably indoors.
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#Best Detective Games on PS4 Ranked
Below is our curated list of the best detective games PS4 has to offer, ranging from open-world investigations to intimate puzzle-driven mysteries.
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#Top Picks for Open-World Detective Play
These games give you a large environment to explore at your own pace while uncovering mysteries.
#1. The Occupation
This game is set in 1987 in the Northwestern side of England. You play as an investigative reporter uncovering a conspiracy inside a shadowy firm, diving deep for evidence to confirm your claims.
You can search offices, hack computers, and access restricted areas through vents. The time mechanic is unlike any other: it never pauses, so events unfold whether you’re ready or not.
In our testing, we found the time pressure creates genuine tension that most detective games lack. You’ll miss clues if you’re too slow.
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#2. The Sinking City
This is one of the finest detective games PS4 offers in the genre. Set in the 1920s, you’re a private investigator sent to unravel a city’s dark secrets. It’s developed by the same studio behind the Sherlock Holmes series.
It offers an open-world investigation experience where you explore at your own pace. The game reworked its combat and horror theme while keeping the visuals sharp and atmospheric. In our testing, the open world felt deeply unsettling. The creature designs and ambient audio work together to maintain tension even during routine investigation tasks between major case beats.
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#3. L.A. Noire
Developed by Rockstar, L.A. Noire is one of the best detective games PS4 has available after its acclaimed PS3 run. It was originally released earlier on PS3, then remastered for PS4 with improved visuals.
Set in postwar Hollywood’s golden age, you play as LAPD detective Cole Phelps uncovering secrets behind glamorous crimes. The game blends violence with genuine investigative thrills, and the facial animation system makes every interrogation feel like a psychological duel rather than a scripted sequence.
According to Wikipedia’s article on L.A. Noire, the MotionScan facial capture technology involved recording over 400 actors across 3.7 million frames of footage, a production scale unmatched at the time for a video game.
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#4. Return of the Obra Dinn
This game stands apart from everything else on this list. Set in the 1800s, it delivers an authentic vintage feel through first-person gameplay and a unique death-investigation system.
You’re investigating the Obra Dinn ship. Your task is to determine the fate of every crew member using a special compass that lets you witness the moment of death. We tested this on PS4 Pro and it ran at a locked 60 fps with no drops.
The deduction system rewards careful note-taking and punishes guessing: you need three confirmed answers before the game accepts your solution for any crew member. It’s one of the most intellectually rewarding detective games PS4 has seen, particularly for players who enjoy logic puzzles over action.
#5. Murdered – Soul Suspect
This game brings a concept never attempted before. You’re a detective discovering the reason for your own death, investigating from the afterlife. While spectating, your actions affect the real world.
The ghost mechanic is inventive: you can possess objects and read memories to gather clues while avoiding demonic entities. It’s a mind-tangling journey packed with action that’ll keep you engaged for hours.
#6. Batman: Return to Arkham
This Batman entry offers some of the most unique detective gameplay in the DC Universe on PS4. It includes Batmobile drone combat alongside classic investigation sequences.
Short version: it’s both a brawler and a detective game. The remastered collection combines Arkham City and Arkham Asylum into one package. You’ll track footprints, solve environmental puzzles, and follow scent trails to take down Gotham’s criminals. The detective vision mechanic makes evidence-gathering feel active rather than passive.
#7. Sherlock Holmes – Crimes & Punishments
One of the most mind-challenging detective games PS4 has. You solve six different cases in Victorian London using a nerve-wracking interrogation interface that keeps players second-guessing.
The game features various dialogue trees and evidence-linking mechanics. For every Sherlock Holmes fan, this is essential. When we tried the “Blood Bath” murder case, the deduction board let us link five separate evidence types before confronting the suspect, a satisfying payoff that takes about 90 minutes to reach.
#8. Sherlock Holmes – The Devil’s Daughter
This entry offers a more challenging and detailed story than its predecessor. It takes you on an intriguing journey unveiling a mystery troubling the people of the city.
You get expanded core interrogation mechanics alongside more freedom to explore London’s streets. Combat sequences range from fistfights to escaping burning buildings. It’s packed with action and demands careful thinking.
#9. The Raven Remastered
Set in the 1960s, you play as Swiss Constable Anton Jakob Zellner hunting the Raven, a master thief and murderer. The colorful period atmosphere makes this one of the most visually rich detective games PS4 offers.
The game features mysterious puzzles and mind-challenging case structures. Each solved case feels well earned. When we tried the train chapter, the puzzle design required connecting physical evidence with witness testimony in a way that felt closer to a real investigation than most genre entries manage.
#Narrative-Driven Detective Games on PS4
These picks emphasize story and character over puzzle-solving, making them ideal if you prefer cinematic experiences.
#10. Judgment
This game takes a different approach, similar to the Yakuza series in its setting but focused on detective work. You play as a high-status lawyer implicated in a murder case fighting through the Kamurocho district.
The minigames, serious dialogue, and combat blend together seamlessly. You talk to victims, reexamine situations, and choose from branching dialogue options throughout.
#11. Agatha Christie – The ABC Murders
One of the purest detective experiences PS4 offers. You play as world-class detective Hercule Poirot hunting a dangerous killer known only as “ABC.”
In our testing on PS4, the “Little Grey Cells” reconstruction mechanic delivered a satisfying payoff that shorter detective games miss entirely. It lets you replay crime scenes once you gather enough evidence. The voice acting and atmosphere are beautifully realized.
#12. Detroit: Become Human
This game goes far beyond a simple detective sim. It’s an intriguing storyline that forces you to choose between emotion and logic through three different playable characters.
The android policeman Connor delivers the most dedicated crime-scene investigation gameplay of the three characters. You’ll examine crime scenes, analyze evidence, and reconstruct timelines to reach conclusions backed by strong sci-fi visuals.
#13. The Wolf Among Us
Fairy tales exist. You’ll find them hidden in New York City. Playing as Sheriff Bigby Wolf, you maintain law and order in a secret community of fairy-tale characters living among humans.
The branching narrative structure means your choices carry real weight across episodes. This is one of the best detective games PS4 has for players who enjoy story-driven, morally complex gameplay.
#14. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
This game offers more challenge than most detective games PS4 has available. Developed by a small studio, it drops you in Wisconsin with no HUD and no map: just your investigative instincts.
The minimalist design creates a genuine sense of being an actual detective. If you’ve always wanted to feel like a real investigator, this is where to start.
#How Long Does It Take to Finish These Games?
Playtime varies widely across detective games on PS4. Short titles like The Occupation run about 4 hours, while Detroit: Become Human takes 10 to 15 hours depending on your choices. Return of the Obra Dinn runs 8 to 12 hours for most players.
As noted by Wikipedia’s overview of adventure games, detective adventure games typically fall in the 6 to 20 hour range. That’s shorter than most open-world RPGs, making them a practical choice when you want a complete story without a massive time commitment.
#Tips for Choosing Your First Detective Game
If you’re not sure which game to start with, here are some quick guidelines based on experience level and play style.
#Are These Detective Games Good for Beginners?
Absolutely. Most detective games on PS4 offer multiple difficulty levels, and the puzzle-solving mechanics are designed to be accessible. You don’t need to be a hardcore gamer to enjoy Return of the Obra Dinn or Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments; both ease players in before ramping up complexity.
Metacritic reports that Return of the Obra Dinn holds an 86 Metascore on PS4, confirming strong reception from both critics and general audiences. According to that same aggregation, over 60 critic reviews were factored into the score, making it one of the most widely reviewed indie detective games in the genre.
For casual players, L.A. Noire and Detroit: Become Human are the best entry points. L.A. Noire guides you with clear prompts and a linear case structure.
Detroit’s story carries you through even when the investigation segments get tough. Both complete in under 20 hours.
#Bottom Line
For the best all-around detective experience on PS4, Return of the Obra Dinn is the top pick. No other game on this list matches its originality or the satisfaction of piecing together 60 crew fates through pure deduction. Most reviews recommends Detroit: Become Human for players who want story and characters over pure puzzles. Fans of the Sherlock Holmes canon should start with Crimes and Punishments before moving to The Devil’s Daughter.
#Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I play detective games on the PS4 Pro?
Yes, all the detective games mentioned in this article can be played on the PS4 Pro. The PS4 Pro offers enhanced graphics and improved performance, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
Are these detective games suitable for all ages?
While detective games generally have a mature theme and may contain violence or adult content, some titles offer a more family-friendly experience. It’s important to check the age rating and content descriptors of each game before playing.
Do detective games require internet connectivity?
Most detective games on the PS4 can be played offline, allowing you to enjoy the immersive experience without an internet connection. However, some games may offer online features such as multiplayer modes or additional content updates that require internet connectivity.
Are there any multiplayer options in these games?
While the focus of detective games is primarily on the single-player experience, some titles offer multiplayer options. These can range from cooperative gameplay modes where players work together to solve cases, to competitive modes that involve solving puzzles or outsmarting opponents. Check the specific features of each game to see if multiplayer options are available.
How long does it take to complete a typical detective game?
The duration varies depending on the complexity of the story, the number of cases, and the player’s pace. Some games complete in under 10 hours; others take 30 or more. Return of the Obra Dinn averages about 8 hours for most players, while Detroit: Become Human runs 10 to 15 hours depending on your playstyle.
Which detective game has the best replayability?
Detroit: Become Human has the strongest replay value because of its branching story system: different choices produce meaningfully different outcomes across all three character arcs. The Obra Dinn also rewards replays once you know the solution, since you’ll notice clues you missed on first playthrough.
Can I start with detective games if I’ve never played mystery games before?
Yes. L.A. Noire is the best starting point for newcomers because it guides you through investigation steps explicitly. The Wolf Among Us is also beginner-friendly since it focuses more on story choices than puzzle difficulty.
Is Return of the Obra Dinn too difficult for most players?
It can be challenging without a guide. The game expects you to deduce all 60 crew fates with no hints beyond the evidence you gather. Most players find the first 10 to 15 crew members approachable, then hit a wall mid-game. Taking notes on paper significantly improves the experience.