Database Detective: Minor Crimes Division

Have you ever wanted to be a database detective? No? Too bad, you've been hired. Database Detective uses a real life programming language called "SQL" (pronounced "sequel") in order to solve crimes. It blends actual detective work with coding, which is not only rare, but special. It's not often games create the availability to teach the player hard skills beyond those advertised as educational games (and we all know how much fun those are... /s) Due to the nature of detective work, there's many ways to solve the cases. Meaning there's multiple ways for the player to attack the problem and catch the criminal. You don't have to be a stellar programmer in order to solve each case. You just have to be able to read the manual and learn some basic queries. (Seriously, it's STRONGLY recommended you learn how to use the queries). My only complaint is that the level of difficulty scales exponentially. If you're new to SQL (like I was), the case progression can feel like getting pushed off the big water slide before you're ready. This had me running to the Steam discussion pages multiple times for help and hints. I don't think this means the cases should be made easier, but rather there should be more instruction. This would allow the player better opportunity to learn what they're about to apply. Better yet, add on some extra cases to practice what they've just learned, allowing the lessons to become automated. Even if programming isn't your jam, I recommend giving it a try. It might come in handy when the robots take over. Either way, good luck. 7/10

Genuinely fun. As someone who plays hacking games (Bitburner, HackRun, etc), this was a nice change of pace to something more whimsical, humorous (SO much good humor here) and goofy. If you've never used SQL before - I can imagine it gets daunting quickly, probably by like the 3rd or 4th investigation. But hey, you can always arrest a best guess! (Just not Zoran. Don't even suggest that LMFAO PLZ (iykyk)) Otherwise, know that this leans further and further into detective work where you are just using SQL to compile and search through the multiple pieces of data you are collecting. Thomas did great work with this game - particularly because I believe he did literally EVERYTHING himself (sans a VO or two?). His YT and Twitch are worth checking out too. Great work Thomas, and I hope people snatch this up to learn something and have a great time solving puzzles as they do!

My only complaint is that there wasn't more. I get that setting up these puzzles takes a lot of work, but I wish we could start off with some easier cases to explore new concepts rather than diving straight in and scaling up the difficulty exponentially. I thoroughly enjoyed learning the basics of SQL through this game. The thing is, this isn't simply just an online class to get you to do SQL homework, they are well thought out, well made puzzles that require you to use your brain outside of SQL also, and gives you the freedom to arrive at your answer in whatever creative query you wish. I highly recommend this game for anyone wanting to learn SQL yes, but also anyone who are into escape-room like detective puzzle solving.

Massively nerdy, silly, and fun. This scratches a programming game itch that I've had since Zachtronics closed up shop. It's not perfect, but I find it really entertaining.

Good humor, good puzzles.

Whimsical LMAO PLZ

this game has a concept so interesting that upon seeing it for the first time i sent a screenshot of the description to three discord servers, and then immediately bought the game and played it for 5 to 6 hours straight. sql may be arcane and frustrating (this is IBM's fault not the developer's eheee) but the game managed to keep me engaged through it regardless. its a Goode Game and i Enjoyed it