In my 2023 Game of the Year writeup, I put Master Detective Archives: Rain Code as the 2023 game I wanted to play in the future. At the time it was a Switch exclusive (and I do not have one), but it was inevitable that this cool game would not stay exclusive. And now we have the multiplatform Master Detective Archives: Rain Code Plus.
This Plus version features crisper graphics in 4K resolution, reduced loading times, and smoother overall performance on other platforms. There is also a new Gallery mode for rewatching FMV cutscenes and listening to the soundtrack. This version also includes all the DLC substories that flesh out the cast. One of the goodies included with first-run, deluxe physical editions of the PlayStation 5 version is a print copy of the original novel How to Be a Master Detective: A Halara Nightmare Case.
Rain Code Plus stars Yuma Kokohead, an amnesiac young man who wakes up on the cold floor of a train station’s lost-and-found room with nothing except a pounding headache, a strange letter identifying him as a member of a special society of superpowered detectives, and a luxury train ticket to the enigmatic Kanai Ward for a top secret mission.
During the train trip, Yuma learns he gave up his memories to a giggly yet powerful specter named Shinigami in exchange for her partnership and powers. Of course, Yuma has no idea when, why, or how he even did that. Desperate for answers, Yuma has no choice but to go along with Shinigami and her dimension-hopping shenanigans as they uncover Kanai Ward’s myriad mysteries.
Yuma’s believable reactions to the absurdities thrust before him convincingly immerse players into Rain Code Plus‘ beautifully “mysteriful” chaos. He is a solid player vehicle for Rain Code Plus‘ compelling, if sometimes long-winded, 30-ish-hour ride filled with action, drama, anime hijinks, and plot twists galore. Most engaging is the eclectic cast of multifaceted characters Yuma meets along the way. Even minor characters with minimal screen time leave memorable impressions. Because Yuma and Shinigami have such contrasting personalities, their conflicting opinions on the people they meet add dimension to those characters.
In addition to its residents, the seedy city of Kanai Ward itself is fascinating. Perpetually rainy and under the looming shadow of the sinister Amaterasu Corporation’s headquarters, Kanai Ward elicits a vibe similar to what everyday life “under the rotting pizza” of Shinra in Final Fantasy VII‘s Midgar might be like. Kanai Ward is a depraved place, and Yuma eventually realizes how violent and cruel it can be.
Rain Code Plus‘ English language voice acting is fantastic. The two leads have some of the best voice acting I’ve ever heard in a video game. Lucien Dodge absolutely nails Yuma’s performance and Anjali Kunapaneni does not just portray Shinigami, she becomes Shinigami. The interplay and chemistry between Yuma and Shinigami are impeccable thanks to the actors’ stellar performances and Alex von David’s expert voice direction. Even no-name characters with only one or two lines deliver those lines convincingly.
I’ve mentioned Shinigami a lot because your enjoyment of Rain Code Plus depends on how endearing you find Shinigami. This self-proclaimed death god is an adorably huggable ghost who transforms into a sexy, goth-clad anime girl who shamelessly uses her lascivious tendencies to make Yuma uncomfortably squirm. I was into it, but if Shinigami’s over-the-top personality in the trailer turns you off and you have a low tolerance for occasional fanservice, then Rain Code Plus may not appeal to you.
Playing Rain Code Plus made me feel like I was in an anime series I would have obsessed over during my formative anime-watching years. My younger self would have had Rain Code Plus wallpapers on all his devices. The cutscenes’ dramatic angles make me feel like I am right in the middle of the action, and the game runs fluidly with no slowdown, even when a lot is happening on screen.
The colorfully designed and expressive character models have all kinds of cool little details. Combine that with creative environments and cutscenes employing a variety of art styles, and Rain Code Plus is a visual feast. Various shades of purple dominate Rain Code Plus‘ visual design. Purple’s blend of calming blue and fiery red symbolize the push and pull of Yuma’s uncertain emotional state and the various push-and-pull circumstances within the narrative. Simply put, Rain Code Plus is a very stylish game with the substance to back it up.
Phase one of Rain Code Plus‘ gameplay consists of exploring every nook and cranny of Kanai Ward, searching for clues and points of interest akin to a point-and-click-style adventure game. As clues are found, Shinigami’s dimension-hopping abilities eventually thrust Yuma into trippy-looking dungeons called Mystery Labyrinths. In these dungeons, Yuma fights in active-time turn-based battles using the pieces of evidence he uncovered in Kanai Ward to attack foes while simultaneously avoiding or repelling said foes’ damage-dealing verbal attacks. Along with these battles, puzzle, QTE, and other assorted minigame sequences pop up throughout Rain Code Plus to keep gameplay fresh.
The gameplay is not perfect, though. Some of the aforementioned minigame sequences are unintuitive, gimmicky, or rely more on lucky guesses than deductive logic. Rain Code Plus‘ many sidequests provide supplementary world-building, but are uninspired fetch or go-between quests that I wish were more dynamic. While the game allows for remapping keyboard controls, there are no such options for gamepads. The default gamepad mapping took some getting used to, and I would have liked the option to change it to my liking. Rain Code Plus does not offer an adjustable difficulty level, and while I found the challenge level fine, others may find the game too easy.
It pains me to say this, but though I enjoy composer Masafumi Takada’s work, Rain Code Plus‘ soundtrack is largely forgettable. The layered compositions utilize intricate instrumentation and draw from several music genres to fit their intended circumstances, but they’re repetitive and don’t make lasting impressions. Kanai Ward and its colorful characters deserve punchier music to complement their vivid personalities.
When all is said and done, I thoroughly enjoyed Master Detective Archives: Rain Code Plus. Hearing my colleague Peter talk about Rain Code last year as he worked on his review made me want to play it, and I’m glad I was finally able to. Except for the mediocre music and some gimmicky gameplay elements, Master Detective Archives: Rain Code Plus lived up to my internal hype and is worth playing. I hope to see more Master Detective Archives games in the future.
