Brok the Investigator

Solid and definitely have an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.

Brok the Investigator is a true original. It's a hodge-podge of point-and-click, side-scrolling beat-'em-up, visual novel, and find-the-object. Most of the time, these disparate ideas sit slightly awkwardly alongside one another, but despite a slow start we did eventually feel a little spark and the whole thing became more than the sum of its parts. It's all the more impressive given that it's just the second game from a one-person studio. Graphic adventure fans should absolutely consider thoughtfully pointing and clicking it onto their wishlist – or just drop-kicking the heck out of the buy button.

BROK the InvestiGator is a fantastic animated detective adventure game that masterfully combines point-and-click and beat ’em up elements. The game also successfully sets its deep story in a dystopian world, featuring well-written characters. The game offers over ten different endings that aren’t just about good versus evil; each one reflects the consequences of your actions throughout the entire gameplay. Plus, it’s entirely up to you whether you play through the entire game without resorting to violence or use your fists to get information. The graphics, reminiscent of animated works from the late ’90s, along with the smooth controls, are also a highlight. The only thing that slightly detracts from the game is the dialogue, which can sometimes feel a bit stilted.

For anyone yet to pick up this great title by COWCAT, I highly recommend not sitting on it. It may not be the most multifaceted of games, nor the most strenuous, but it has plenty of heart and a ton of character, the story is solid and the investigations are fun to solve. At roughly 14+ hours to complete, it doesn’t require a large commitment, so you can continue to grind those Battlepasses (looking at you, Overwatch!) and then wind down at the end of the day with our resident reptilian, BROK the InvestiGator!

Brok the InvestiGator sets you up with frustrating questions and then leaves them hanging. It even throws in sequel bait just to tease. There are multiple endings, but it feels like they got dropped in without much thought, leaving a feeling of wanting more. The blend of genres is a beauty, hitting those noir thriller tropes while revelling in chaotic fun. Truth be told, it falls short of tying it all together in a way that satisfies.

Brok the InvestiGator is, at its core, a solid adventure game. However, it suffers from plain writing and weird atmosphere and doesn't quite stick the landing.

A compelling mix of adventures and beat'em up, BROK is one of a kind experience that players will definitely enjoy.

I didn’t think the combination of point-and-click and brawler gameplay would work, but BROK the InvestiGator smashed all my cautious expectations. Also, it is a refreshingly original game that provides flexibility to the player, whether you want to enjoy it casually or prefer a more challenging experience. I myself have become a bit tired of the point-and-click genre, but BROK changed my mind. This is thanks to the creativity and multiple ways to tackle the game’s puzzles. This is probably one of the few games in this genre I see myself easily returning to again. BROK is brilliant overall and easily a contender for Game of the Year. Do not miss this one. If you still need convincing, there is a free demo prologue to try on Steam.

If you want to experience one of the most accomplished indie games that’s ever been released then this one certainly deserves to be investigated. An enjoyable story with memorable characters and plenty of humour – I do hope we get to see Brok in some form again in the future.

As a whole, Brok the InvestiGator is a must-play title for those who find themselves drawn toward compelling characters, points, clicks, or clever criminal investigations. While COWCAT succeeds in making the first Punch & Click, it’s clear that the game’s point-and-click nature and Investigations took priority over the game’s brawling combat, and nonsensical segments bring it down just a bit. Yet, Brok the InvestiGator’s one-two punch of a colorful aesthetic mixed with bleak themes outshines the bad, with the true champion coming in the form of Brok and Graff’s relationship at the end of the day.