Game Review: BROK the InvestiGator (Xbox Series X)

From independent French studio COWCAT Games comes BROK the InvestiGator. An amalgamation of old-school point and click and beat ‘em up gameplay elements. An initially baffling combination, but thanks to a deep story, clever puzzles, great characters, wonderful voice acting, and so much more, BROK the InvestiGator ends up being a uniquely special game.

Players take on the role of Brok, a private investigator living in the slums of a dystopian future populated by anthropomorphic animals with his teenage stepson, Graff. The world is split into two class systems. There are ‘Drumers’, those who live within the dome, safe from the toxic air, living a relative life of luxury, and guarded by robots controlled by the ‘government’. Then there are ‘Slumers’ who survive outside the dome, living amongst the wreckage and having to take daily pills delivered by the government to not choke on the toxic air.

For Slumers, life is hard and most grow up dream of being Drummers. A dream that Graff is working towards as good grades in school may allow him to earn his way inside. It’s something Brok also wants, even if his own issues and behaviour gets in the way of Graff’s progression.

Brok is a damaged individual, having lost his wife and Graff’s mother in a traumatic accident years before. He never got the answers he needed and it has driven a wedge between him and Graff.

Even with all of that, and his own shady past, Brok works to try and make a life for him and Graff. Hence, his private investigator job. The set-up for the game’s story being Brok getting a new case that will spiral out of control and lead to revelations and truths that threaten the entire system.

It’s story with more twists and turns than any initial player could or would expect. Not only that, actions, relationship statuses, and decisions made directly influence the course of the story. BROK the InvestiGator features eleven endings and multiple branching paths at numerous points in the story. In fact, most will likely not get the canonical ending the first time they play through it.

Thankfully, BROK the InvestiGator encourages replays with chapter selects and a detailed breakdown of your decisions up to that point, meaning you have a handy reference to check when you come to choices again.

BROK the InvestiGator eases you in to its gameplay styles nicely, asking you solve simple point and click puzzles and beat up a few defective robots as its introduction. Those familiar with standard point and click games will feel right at home, with the ability to switch into ‘action’ mode available at the press of a button. This isn’t just for fighting either, as it allows Brok more freedom and adds platforming style gameplay. Together, the styles can be used to solve puzzles but also change the narrative.

For example… do you deal with conflict by swing your fists or is there a smarter way to take care of a problem? Remember, you’re also trying to prove you can be a role model for Graff.

There’s a lot of heart and soul in BROK the InvestiGator and a lot of that comes from the excellent writing and voice acting of the characters. Alongside Brok and Graff, there are a litany of interesting and likeable side characters that add so much more depth to the game. Characters that you need to form relationships with too, for better or worse.

More aspects of BROK the InvestiGator that just makes it one of a kind and ensures it stays with you long after you’ve finally wrapped up the case. It’s a extremely well thought out game that nails both aspects of its gameplay but excels with its story.