Detective Dotson Review

Editor’s note: Masala Games provided IGN India a Steam (PC) copy of Detective Dotson for this review

Indian video games that tell larger stories and try to move beyond the usual open-world GTA formula, the battle royale format, or mythology-inspired narratives are rare. Especially when they are paid titles for PC and console audiences rather than free-to-play mobile releases. Thankfully, Detective Dotson, the latest title from Gujarat-based game studio, Masala Games, has joined this small collection.

Since its announcement in 2023, Detective Dotson has steadily built anticipation through teasers, trailers, and regular updates, capturing the curiosity of Indian gamers waiting to see what would come of it. Now that I have finished its 5–6-hour story, I can say that Detective Dotson will hold a significant place in India’s growing indie game scene. It shows what is possible when game developers take risks and look beyond what has already been done, and I believe it will inspire more such efforts going forward.

Detective Dotson’s Edge: Simplicity and Familiarity

What makes Detective Dotson good is how quickly you can dive in without getting bogged down by a steep learning curve. The game doesn’t waste your time with excessive tutorials or complicated mechanics. Instead, it offers a straightforward, enjoyable gameplay loop that keeps you engaged, provided you pay attention to the stories around you.

From the moment you start, you are immersed in a world rich with “Indianness,” where every corner feels authentically local. Things like bargaining with shopkeepers or paying bribes to cops and government officials to gather clues, praying to God for power-ups, lend the game a funny and relatable flavour. All these elements combine to create a fun, short experience, and is one of the reasons why I enjoyed this game.

And in terms of effort, it goes beyond just the game itself, as Masala Games has created an entire movie tied to the game, which will be bundled alongside the Detective Dotson title.

Dotson on Duty

The core gameplay of Detective Dotson is straightforward. You control Dotson, the titular detective, who can run, jump, perform parkour, talk to NPCs, and interact with various objects scattered across the environment. The main loop revolves around speaking to characters, collecting clues, and using them to solve cases. Some NPCs request specific items in exchange for information, prompting you to either buy the item with in-game currency or trade for it. These clues then feed directly into the casework.

Intuitive Exploration and Case Solving

At launch, the game consists of its first chapter, featuring three smaller cases that gradually feed into the central mystery: Dotson’s investigation into his father’s disappearance. The game is set in a side-scrolling world that expands as you progress through cases. More areas of the city become accessible over time, and while you can enter some buildings, most of the gameplay takes place outdoors.

The animations are fluid, and the controls feel responsive throughout. At no point did I experience jank or a lack of polish in how Dotson moves. The controls feel smooth, and getting around the city is intuitive and enjoyable.

Beyond exploration, clue-gathering, and conversations, the most distinctive part of Detective Dotson’s gameplay is solving the actual cases. Once you have gathered enough information, you access an evidence board, which is the game’s central investigative mechanic, where you arrange clues to piece together the story behind each case.

What works well here is that the game genuinely encourages (and expects) you to think. You need to follow the story closely, pay attention to character motivations, and connect the dots yourself. Randomly placing clues won’t get you far, and brute-forcing a solution isn’t really an option.

Each case comes with a limited number of hints, with a few opportunities to earn more — but ultimately, the game respects your intelligence and expects you to engage with its world. Luckily, Detective Dotson makes that easy. The game’s tone stays light and humorous, and the stories, like a stolen biryani case linked to a chaotic Bollywood film shoot, are funny, quirky, and easy to follow. The writing knows not to take itself too seriously, which works entirely in Detective Dotson’s favour.

There is also some optional side content in the form of minigames: a rhythm-based dance-offs game, a hidden object game, and even cricket, which you can play to earn extra in-game money. These are optional, so they add a bit of variety without feeling tacked on.

A Broad Spectrum From Fun Cases to a Deepening Drama

While Detective Dotson has a main storyline with its own lore, it never overwhelms you with lengthy dialogues or long, unskippable cutscenes. Masala Games clearly has the casual audience in mind, those who might bounce off heavy exposition or overly complex mechanics. From the start, you are dropped straight into gameplay that is easy to grasp, and as you move through the world and solve cases, the story gradually reveals itself.

As mentioned, the starting cases are light and playful at first, like figuring out who painted Papadum the dog pink, or, as mentioned above, solving the mystery of stolen biryani on a film set. As you progress, the tone shifts slightly. One case involves a secret admirer of the police inspector who threatens to jump into a well, which brings some serious stakes to the otherwise quirky narrative. And finally, the central case, Dotson’s missing father, brings a more grounded and serious tone. It is the most layered investigation in the game, with a deeper sense of mystery and weight.

The stories have a good balance between humour and drama. They are fun when they want to be, and compelling when they need to be. Knowing that a second chapter is on the way to expand on the main story leaves me genuinely curious about where things will go next.

Characterful Pixels

The most striking aspect of Detective Dotson is its 2D pixel characters and how India is brought to life. It is refreshing to see Indian environments and everyday objects presented in a style that isn’t chasing photorealism. This is because we rarely see such a representation of modern India in video games.

Art style of the game is eye-catching and stays with you, as using pixel art doesn’t mean things have to be flat or basic. This is evident at locations like temple interiors that are packed with detail. Masala Games has clearly put in the work to make each area feel rich and detailed. Every asset in the game shows clear care and thought.

It is even more interesting that the developers had to build many of these assets from scratch. Masala Games said they had to create 3D models of modern Indian items simply because existing ones did not fit the bill. These 3D elements are cleverly used across the game’s environments, blending smoothly with the pixel aesthetic.

This creative approach gives Detective Dotson genuine charm and identity of its own. In the end, the result is a visual style that is full of character, which is distinct from other Indian games.

Sounds of the Street

Detective Dotson pays thoughtful attention to its music, and it is clear that this aspect wasn’t treated as an afterthought. The game features a desi soundtrack composed in collaboration with Nikhil Rao, guitarist from the popular Indian rock band, Indian Ocean. What works well is that the music avoids falling into the trap of stereotypical Indian tunes, something we have often seen in media about India made by outsiders. Here, you get an authentic soundtrack which blends Hindustani influences with a subtle rock flair, giving the game its unique musical identity.

The game also leans into ambient design, filling the streets with sounds familiar to anyone who has walked through an Indian city. You will hear layered chatter in Hindi from people of all backgrounds, street vendors shouting, and even an occasional rickshaw whirring past. It makes a much better choice than simply looping the background music. This also creates a familiar backdrop that is more alive and immersive.

Real India, Finally

The way Detective Dotson represents India feels refreshingly contemporary. It has the potential to set a new direction for Indian games, moving away from the overused lens of mythology and fantasy that often dominates media set in India. This game proves it is possible to focus on everyday Indian life and still make something engaging and worthwhile.

Instead of ancient legends or epic battles, Detective Dotson zooms in on the ordinary, our streets, our hawkers, our food, and the quirks of how things function in daily life. It captures the texture of Indian society with a light touch, bringing out the humour, the chaos, and the familiarity in ways that resonate with anyone who has grown up here.

At the same time, it also offers something fresh to international audiences by painting a picture of India that feels real rather than reduced to clichés. It is a minor but important shift that I am happy to see, one that says India can be interesting without needing to be exoticised.

Things Can Be Better

After each case, the game includes short, fully voice-acted cutscenes. This is the one area where the lack of polish does peek through. The voice recordings sound amateur, and the production quality isn’t quite the same level as the rest of the game. That said, the fact that this is the only element that feels a little rough is, in a way, a testament to how strong everything else is. For an indie project, Detective Dotson easily rises above the average bar.

As for performance, I didn’t encounter any major bugs during my time with the game. There are a few minor hiccups here and there, but nothing game-breaking or disruptive during my experience. The base experience feels solid, and whatever issues I encountered are small enough to easily be ironed out in a patch.

Worth the Money?

We think that INR (₹) 500 is an excellent price that makes the game accessible to Indian gamers. And when we take into account the quality of the game, including the effort and originality packed into the experience, the value becomes even better. The game is available on PC, Linux, and macOS for Steam and Windows Store, with an Xbox console release on the way.