# Here Are The Best Detective Games To Check Out

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOSNX8OqXFE
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/NOSNX8OqXFE
Generated: 2026-01-18T00:33:40.224+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The best detective games recommended by the hosts include "Steam Detective Fest" (running until January 9th), "Golden Idol," "Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy," "Tales Noir" (which features a raccoon detective), and "Crimes and Punishment."

**Key Points:**
- The hosts recommend games playable during the "Steam Detective Fest," which runs until January 9th.
- "Golden Idol" is praised for being an excellent detective game that lives up to its hype and is entirely done through a tabletop interface.
- "Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy" is called an absolute classic, though the gameplay is more conversation-based than pure deduction.
- "Tales Noir" is a detective game where the player character is a raccoon investigating murders, notable for its 90s Windows 95-era UI.
- "Crimes and Punishment" is highlighted as the best of the Sherlock Holmes games, requiring players to deduce guilt without explicit feedback.
- The host Kurt Indovina shares his personal list, which includes the above games plus "Sam & Max" and suggests starting with "Crimes and Punishment" if new to the genre.

![Screenshot at 00:49: Kurt Indovina enthusiastically reads from a card detailing the list of recommended detective games, prompting discussion about specific titles like 'Golden Idol' and 'Phoenix Wright'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/NOSNX8OqXFE/00-00-49.jpg)

**Context:** The hosts, Kurt Indovina and Lucy James, discuss their favorite detective-themed video games during their 'Kurt & Lucy Gotcha Covered' podcast segment. The conversation is prompted by a sale event on Steam and focuses on games that involve investigation, deduction, and solving mysteries, covering a range of styles from point-and-click adventures to open-world investigation titles.

## Detailed Analysis

The segment focuses on recommending the best detective games, starting with the ongoing "Steam Detective Fest" sale running until January 9th. Lucy James lists several games she enjoys: "Golden Idol," which she praises as an excellent detective game with a unique tabletop interface, and the upcoming "Tales Noir," where the player is a raccoon detective navigating a world reminiscent of Windows 95 interfaces, noting that the game's UI can be messy. She also mentions playing the demo for "Desktop Explorer" from 2003. Kurt Indovina adds "Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy" to the list, calling it a classic, despite its heavy reliance on conversation over pure deduction. He also suggests "Crimes and Punishment" as the best of the Sherlock Holmes games because it doesn't confirm if the player reached the correct verdict. He also mentions "Sam & Max" and recommends starting with "Crimes and Punishment." They joke about the psychology behind people enjoying animal detective games and the lack of explicit feedback in some deduction games. The segment concludes with the hosts thanking each other and viewers for watching.

### Detective Game Recommendations

- Steam Detective Fest sale until January 9th
- Golden Idol praised for tabletop style
- Phoenix Wright Trilogy is a classic but dialogue-heavy
- Tales Noir features a raccoon detective and a messy UI
- Crimes and Punishment is the best Sherlock Holmes game because it doesn't confirm the verdict

### Game Details & Styles

- Golden Idol is open-world investigation
- Tales Noir uses a Windows 95-style interface
- Crimes and Punishment requires pure deduction without feedback
- Sam & Max also recommended by Kurt

### Podcast Wrap-up

- Hosts thank guest Lucy James and Kurt Indovina thanks the viewers, encouraging them to email games for future coverage.

![Screenshot at 00:04: Kurt and Lucy sitting across from each other at the podcast table, setting the scene for a discussion.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/NOSNX8OqXFE/00-00-04.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:24: Kurt enthusiastically gesturing while reading from a card, likely containing the topic or question.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/NOSNX8OqXFE/00-00-24.jpg)
![Screenshot at 01:04: Lucy explaining the mechanics of the game 'Golden Idol,' using hand gestures to illustrate her point.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/NOSNX8OqXFE/00-01-04.jpg)
![Screenshot at 02:54: Lucy making a face of contemplation or slight disgust while discussing a game's interface.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/NOSNX8OqXFE/00-02-54.jpg)
![Screenshot at 04:45: Kurt looking down at his phone while presenting his list of recommended games.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/NOSNX8OqXFE/00-04-45.jpg)