Duck Detective: The Secret Salami puts your faith in the mantra "I want shorter games with worse graphics made by people who are paid more to work less and I'm not kidding" to the test. Its length seems designed just to outlast Steam’s refund window, but the polish and charm can't be denied.

This noir adventure features a duck detective on a single case. From the start, the game makes a strong impression. First, the detective duck’s voice—a deep, tragic tone reminiscent of Max Payne—adds a surprising depth that is hilarious coming from the cartoon duck. Second, the visual style stands out: cutscenes play like a moving slideshow over 2D illustrations, which are both beautiful and consistent with the game’s assets. Outside cutscenes, it evokes Paper Mario, with 2D characters in a simple, cartoonish 3D world.

The gameplay diverges from expectations. Instead of the puzzle progression seen in games like "The Darkside Detective," Duck Detective offers a different experience. The duck interviews suspects, asks about others or evidence, analyzes environments, and investigates objects, gathering keywords along the way. Solving the case involves filling in incomplete deduction phrases with these keywords, making each clue part of a logical puzzle.

The story is decent, reminiscent of an opening case in Ace Attorney with a touch of American Vandal. You're called to investigate a declining bus company, only to uncover a bigger conspiracy. The office clues are sufficient for a keen observer to identify the culprit.

I enjoyed Duck Detective and would love to see a version with at least three cases, similar to the Frog Detective trilogy. The game feels pricey for its length—especially at launch—but it's a charming experience worth picking up on sale. Plus, its kid-friendly nature makes it great for families.