Video games based on licensed TV shows usually suck. We all know the drill. A studio grabs a popular IP, slaps some recognizable character models onto a generic platformer template, and hopes parents don't look too closely at the price tag. But then there’s Adventure Time: Finn and Jake Investigations. Released back in 2015, this game felt... different. It wasn’t another 8-bit throwback or a mindless brawler like Explore the Dungeon Because I DON'T KNOW!. Instead, Vicious Cycle Software decided to make a 3D point-and-click adventure.
It was a weird move. Adventure Time was at its peak zaniness then, and slowing things down to look for clues in the Candy Kingdom felt risky. Honestly? It worked.
Why the Shift to 3D Actually Mattered
Most Adventure Time games tried to mimic the show's iconic 2D aesthetic. It makes sense; the hand-drawn look is why we love the Land of Ooo. But Adventure Time: Finn and Jake Investigations went full 3D. At first glance, it’s jarring. Finn’s noodle arms look a bit stiff, and Jake’s proportions feel slightly off when he’s standing still. However, once you start wandering around the Tree Fort, the benefit becomes clear. You aren't just looking at a background; you're inside it.
The game is structured into "Graybles." Five distinct cases, plus a bonus one, that play out like individual episodes of the show. You’ve got the original voice cast—Jeremy Shada, John DiMaggio, Hynden Walch—all delivering lines with the same energy they brought to the recording booth at Cartoon Network. That’s the secret sauce. Without the real voices, this would have been a hollow shell. With them, it feels like a lost season of the show that you just happen to be controlling.
Solving Crimes in the Land of Ooo
The gameplay loop is simple. You talk to people, pick up random junk, and figure out how to use that junk to solve problems. It’s classic adventure game logic. Need to get past a guard? You probably need to combine a half-eaten sandwich with a rusty gear (okay, it’s not that nonsensical, but it’s close).
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Interacting with characters like Starchy or Peppermint Butler feels rewarding because the writing stays true to their quirks. Starchy is still obsessed with conspiracy theories. Lemongrab is still... unacceptable. The puzzles aren't exactly Monkey Island tier difficulty, but they require enough brainpower to keep you from zoning out. You'll spend a lot of time in the Candy Kingdom, the Fire Kingdom, and even the Wizard City. Each area is packed with little nods for the hardcore fans.
Wait. I should mention the combat.
Between the sleuthing, there are these arena-style fight sequences. Finn pulls out one of his many swords—the Grass Sword, the Demon Blood Sword—and you whack some gnomes or skeletons. Jake can turn into a giant fist or a shield. Is it the best combat in gaming? No. Not even close. It’s a bit floaty and repetitive. But it serves as a palette cleanser between the heavy dialogue scenes. It keeps the pace from dragging too much, which is a common complaint in the point-and-click genre.
The "Investigations" That Stuck With Us
Let’s talk about the cases. You start with "A Little To the Left," involving some missing belongings and a very sketchy Kim Kil Whan. By the time you get to the later chapters, things get surprisingly deep. The game doesn't shy away from the show’s lore. You see the aftermath of the Mushroom War in the environments. You feel the tension between the different elemental kingdoms.
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One of the coolest features is the "Cuddle Dump." If you find yourself stuck, you can talk to Jake. He’ll give you a hint, but he does it in that classic, rambling Jake way that makes it feel like a conversation rather than a tutorial pop-up.
The game captures the "investigator" vibe by having Finn and Jake act out their "Tickler and Gumshoe" personas, inspired by their parents, Joshua and Margaret. It’s a nice touch that connects the game back to the show’s internal history. It wasn’t just a random gimmick; it was a tribute to Finn’s family legacy.
Technical Quirks and Limitations
Look, it wasn’t perfect. The loading screens on the original hardware (Wii U, PS3, Xbox 360) were long enough to go grab a bowl of cereal. Even on the PC version, the transitions between rooms can feel clunky. The fixed camera angles sometimes hide items you desperately need to find, leading to that "pixel hunting" frustration that plagued games in the 90s.
Also, the game is short. You can probably beat the whole thing in about six to eight hours. For a full-priced release back in the day, that was a tough pill for some to swallow. But today? In an era where every game wants 100 hours of your life, a tight, funny, eight-hour experience is actually kind of refreshing.
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Where to Play Adventure Time: Finn and Jake Investigations Today
If you want to dive back into Adventure Time: Finn and Jake Investigations, you have a few options. It’s still available on Steam, and it’s frequently on sale for a few bucks. It’s also one of the few Adventure Time games that is backwards compatible or available on the PlayStation Store for PS4/PS5.
Is it worth it?
If you’re a fan of the show, absolutely. It’s a love letter to the fans. If you’ve never seen an episode of Adventure Time, you’ll probably be confused as to why a talking heart is trying to sell you insurance or why a penguin is a cosmic deity. But for the rest of us, it’s a cozy trip back to Ooo.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Playthrough
- Explore the Tree Fort thoroughly. There are tons of interactable objects in the first ten minutes that set the tone for the whole game.
- Listen to all the optional dialogue. The jokes hidden in the "wrong" choices are often funnier than the main script.
- Don't rush the combat. Use Jake’s different forms to see the animations; they’re surprisingly well-done.
- Check the Trophies/Achievements. Some of them require you to pull off specific "bro-moves" that you might miss if you just mash the attack button.
The Land of Ooo has always been about curiosity and friendship. While other games tried to make Finn a generic action hero, this one let him be a kid who asks questions. It reminds us that sometimes, the most heroic thing you can do is just figure out what’s actually going on. Grab a controller, ignore the clunky 2015 graphics for a second, and go solve some mysteries.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check Steam or the PlayStation Store for the game; it often drops below $5 during seasonal sales.
- Watch the "Joshua & Margaret Investigations" episode (Season 6, Episode 16) to see the show's direct influence on the game's mechanics and tone.
- Compare the 3D models to the newer Adventure Time: Pirates of the Enchiridion to see how the visual style of Ooo evolved in later gaming entries.