From clever teenage sleuths to professional investigators, these women show off their detective skills in their respective games.
Being a detective is one of the coolest professions, and has been portrayed in every type of medium, from movies to video games. Gamifying investigations and making players feel smart for making astute observations and correct judgments is hard to accomplish. That’s why the best detective games are lauded for their stories and satisfying mysteries. Some video games feature detectives in a more passive role, often aiding the main character.
Plenty of video games have featured compelling female detectives who are memorable to control or interact with. Players love them as a result of riveting gameplay, great writing, or a combination of both. These are gaming’s leading ladies when it comes to sleuthing.8 Anaya (Mass Effect 2)
Before players can recruit Samara in Mass Effect 2, they must speak with an Asari detective in Nos Astra named Anaya, who gives players a lead on where to find this Justiciar. Anaya doesn’t have a huge role to play in the game, but makes a notable impression in the short time she has.
She considers it an honor to interact with a Justiciar, and has some fun observations about Shepard based on how players react to her. It’s a shame that Mass Effect doesn’t feature more detectives, since Anaya gives a glimpse of what solving a mystery could be like in the series.7 Lynne (Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective)
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is one of the best video games for fans of the puzzle-adventure genre. Shifting Sissel’s spirit to different objects and manipulating them to prevent avoidable deaths is a huge part of what makes this game so special.
During his adventures, Sissel will team up with a rookie detective named Lynne, whom he must save several times throughout his prolonged investigation. She is a huge help when it comes to interacting with the physical, and plays a critical role in helping Sissel uncover the mystery surrounding his demise.
