Hooked Gamers' Best Video Game Detectives
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Max Payne (Max Payne)
Max Payne. A fitting name for a man who lost everything. A man who's seen the deepest, darkest parts of his own mind. His whole life has been torn apart by the evil and corrupt. But where many would crumble, Max just got harder. Because that's what Max is: a survivor, a paradox. The man has nothing to live for, but he refuses to die.
I remember back in 2012 when Max Payne 3 came out, I purchased the $100 special edition that came with the statue. The singleplayer campaign was incredible, and the multiplayer was remarkable as well. It's a shame that while it did manage to sell well, it wasn't enough to justify a fourth entry by Rockstar. Thankfully a little over four years ago, Max Payne's original developer Remedy announced that they are remaking the first two games for modern hardware with their Northlight Engine.
Max as a character may not be your typical detective, as he relies on his firearms to solve his problems more than his wits, but he is a savior to those in need, and a great character that I'd love to see get more exposure.
(Alex Moretti)
Phoenix Wright (Ace Attorney)
You're on trial for murder. The evidence is stacked against you, and your only hope is a plucky rookie defense attorney with wild hair and a penchant for exclaiming, "Hold it!"
Phoenix Wright, although not called a detective in the game, is arguably more of a 'detectived than the actual in-game detective, Gumshoe. Okay, that's the last time I'm writing 'detective.'
Most of my time playing the Phoenix Wright games is spent investigating crime scenes, gathering clues, and piecing together evidence to use in court. I ask you, dear reader, what constitutes an, uh... investigative person? Is it their title or their actions?
Phoenix Wright doesn't stop until he finds all the clues and the right person is behind bars. That seems like a detective (dang it) to me.
(Jack Carter)
John Tanner (Driver)
Look, when you've been undercover for so long you forget what your 'old job' even was, but San Francisco has a chapter called "Detective Work," so I think it counts. Ex-racecar driver turned NYPD officer John Tanner is hands down my Best Video Game Detective.
He's a globe-trotting wildcard obsessed with catching his man, and just happens upon action movie scenes along the way. A motorcycle chase on a beach with apparent mortars everywhere? Check. High-octane, tire-screeching pursuits through tight streets that send debris flying? Quadruple check. Not only does he have the street smarts and automotive skills to blend in like Brian O'Conner couldn't imagine, he doesn't even let being in a coma stop him from solving the crime, or simply oozing cool and charisma. (Jordan Helsley)
Jack Pepper (Mouse: P.I for Hire)
Jack Pepper deserves a spot among gaming's top sleuths for how seamlessly he bridges classic hardboiled noir with 1930s rubber-hose animation. As noted in our Hooked Gamers review, Jack operates out of the smoky, monochromatic streets of Mouseburg, feeling like a spiritual successor to Who Framed Roger Rabbit's Eddie Valiant.
What truly secures his place on this list is his hands-on investigative process. Between kinetic shootouts, Jack grounds the game in authentic detective work — whether you are connecting clues on his office pin-board or tackling tactile mechanics like lock-picking. By balancing whimsical animation with genuine noir deduction, Jack Pepper stands out as one of gaming's most stylish and distinctive gumshoes.
(William Thompson)
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