Gifty the Detective

Finished 12/19/2023

Released Site Launch Date

Platforms: Windows, Linux, Chromebook

Version 1.0 released: check it out!

Screenshots

Gifty the Detective game cover art. Gifty talking to his client Gifty in front of a lost item Gifty in front of a shopping center

About the Game

Gifty the Detective is a free, cozy mystery puzzle game made for fans of cute art, detective adventures, and casual gaming. Play as Gifty, a sentient gift box helping characters recover their lost items in four charming areas. This indie game is built in Unity and available for Windows, Linux, and Chromebook. No ads, no purchases - just wholesome fun.

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Who is this game for?

Gifty the Detective is perfect for fans of puzzle games like A Little To The Left or Unpacking, or cozy games like TOEM: A Photo Adventure and Assemble with Care. If you enjoy wholesome, low-stress games with cute characters and light storytelling, Gifty is made for you.

Download Free Cozy Detective Game for Windows!

GiftyDetective_1.0_Setup.exe Security Status

Download for Linux GiftyDetective_0.3_linux.tar Security Status
Download for Chromebook GiftyDetective_Chromebook.apk Security Status

Key Bind Sheet

Access it here

FAQ


Is Gifty the Detective free?
Yes, Gifty the Detective is completely free with no ads, no sign-ups, and no tracking.

Is it kid-friendly?
Yes, Gifty the Detective was built for gamers of all ages.

How long does it take to play?
It takes ~5 minutes to complete Gifty the Detective.

Share Gifty's World

Tell your friends or the public about Gifty the Detective! Post this page on SMS, Discord, r/CozyGamers subreddit, etc.

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System Requirements

Windows:

OS: Windows 10 or later

Disk Space: 200MB Minimum

RAM: 4GB; 8GB recommended

DirectX: 11

GPU: Integrated graphics minimum

CPU: Intel Pentium minimum

Linux:

Distro: Ubuntu 16.04 or later / CentOS 7

Disk Space: 128MB Minimum

RAM: 4GB; 8GB recommended

GPU: Any OpenGL 3.2+ capable GPU

CPU: Intel Pentium minimum

Chromebook:

Your Chromebook must be released after 2019 and is capable of running Android apps.

Game Tags

Cute, Mystery, Cartoon

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Our Review

"This game is so cozy I almost melted. Gifty is the softest detective I've ever played."

How to Install

Windows:

1. Click "Download now!"

2. When the download has finished, run it

3. Click "More info", then click "Run anyway"

4. Follow the instructions for installation

5. Wait until the installation has completed, then start playing!

Linux:

1. Click "Download for Linux"

2. When the download has finished, open the tarball in Archive Manager or similar

3. Extract the tarball

4. Open the extracted folder and double click GiftyDetective.x86_64

Create a link to the x86_64 file on your desktop for easy access.

Chromebook:

1. In your Chromebook settings, enable Linux (beta)

2. In the terminal, type "sudo apt-get install android-tools-adb"

3. Type "adb install [path to apk]" in the terminal to install it

4. Go to the app drawer, click the game, and start playing!

Changelog

Version 1.0 (Major Release)

The very first initial release of Gifty the Detective comes and we are proud to announce it!

New features

  • Voice acting
  • Music and background SFX

    • Changes

  • Totally different mechanics, now similar to Part 2/3/4/5.
  • Gifty finally has proper walking animations like in Part 3-5.
  • Replaced point-and-click with walk-up-press-E.

    • Version 0.3 (Beta)

    A technical update for Gifty the Detective, also adding some mandatory features.

    New features

    Hover feedback on NPC's and items

    Add settings screen in main menu

    Add quit button in main menu for easy access to close the game in fullscreen mode, without pressing Alt+F4

    Technical changes

  • Cleaned up file structure for the game to avoid cluttered development files and reduce the disk cost of the game.

    • Bugs fixed

  • Gifty is in the air when climbing up slopes
  • Windows: Shadows are super blurry compared to beta 0.1
  • Custom magnifying glass cursor not showing

    • Download the installer on this page to update your current version.

    This update only applies to Windows and Linux versions.

    Version 0.2 (Beta)

    Gifty the Detective's first hotfix update.

    Bugs fixed

  • In area 3, Gifty can still walk while talking to NPC's
  • Camera clips through obstacles

    • Download the installer on this page to update your current version.

    Version 0.1 (Beta)

    First-ever version of the game.

    Game News

    1.0 Release

    September 14, 2025: Gifty the Detective is now out of beta and in release! New features and exciting new visuals!



    0.3 Beta QOL Update

    June 28, 2025: We have released a quality of life update for Gifty the Detective that covers some technical changes and bug fixes.



    Version 0.2 Beta releases!

    February 23, 2025: "Gifty the Detective" recieves its first hotfix update!



    Version 0.1 Beta releases!

    "Gifty the Detective" comes alive on our website!

    Comments

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