Database Detective Wiki

The Ultimate Database Detective Walkthrough: Master SQL and Solve Crimes in Los Zorangeles

Database Detective Case 5 The Pizza Crime: A Complete SQL Investigation Guide

Database Detective Chapter 4 Guide: Solving the Hotel Mystery and Mastering SQL

Mastering Database Detective Chapter 1: Your First Steps Into SQL Investigation

Mastering Database Detective Chapter 2: A Guide to Solving Minor Crimes

Solving the Mystery: A Deep Dive Into Database Detective Chapter 3 and Beyond

Sql

Database Detective: What You Learn While Solving Crimes with SQL Queries

Sql

Database Detective Beginner Guide Database Detective Case Walkthroughs Database Detective SQL Guide Database Detective Achievements Database Detective Hints and Query Errors Database Detective Websites and Secrets Database Detective Demo Guide Database Detective System Requirements

Master SQL While Solving Crimes: The Ultimate Database Detective SQL Detective Game Review

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Your Database Detective Journey

Beginner Guide

Learn the mission briefing, the in-game SQL textbook, evidence tables, and the assistant hint system before you write your first query.

SQL Query Basics

Get comfortable with SELECT, WHERE, JOIN, and GROUP BY — the core commands you will use to search evidence and crack every case.

Case Walkthroughs

Follow spoiler-aware steps through all 10 investigations, from your first minor complaint to the final case in Los Zorangeles.

Hints & Query Errors

Read the parser's error messages and the assistant's staged hints to fix a broken query without spoiling the solution.

Popular Pages

Trending Now

Case Walkthroughs

SQL Basics

Achievements

Demo Guide

The Ultimate Database Detective Walkthrough: Master SQL and Solve Crimes in Los Zorangeles

Struggling with the city's toughest cases? Use this Database Detective walkthrough to master SQL queries, solve complex mysteries, and climb the ranks.

Database Detective Case 5 The Pizza Crime: A Complete SQL Investigation Guide

Struggling with Database Detective Case 5 the pizza crime? Learn how to master SQL queries, join tables, and catch the culprit in this step-by-step guide.

Database Detective Chapter 4 Guide: Solving the Hotel Mystery and Mastering SQL

Stuck on Database Detective Chapter 4? Learn how to solve the hotel case, master SQL queries, and progress through this engaging detective game.

Mastering Database Detective Chapter 1: Your First Steps Into SQL Investigation

Ready to solve crimes with code? Learn how to tackle Database Detective chapter 1 and master the basics of SQL in this comprehensive guide.

Mastering Database Detective Chapter 2: A Guide to Solving Minor Crimes

Struggling with the second case in Database Detective? Learn how to master SQL queries and navigate the Minor Crimes Division with our expert guide.

Solving the Mystery: A Deep Dive Into Database Detective Chapter 3 and Beyond

Struggling with Database Detective Chapter 3? Discover how to master SQL queries, solve the sandwich mystery, and climb the ranks of the Minor Crimes Division.

Database Detective: What You Learn While Solving Crimes with SQL Queries

Discover how Database Detective: Minor Crimes Division turns SQL learning into an engaging puzzle. See what you learn and why it's a game-changer.

Master SQL While Solving Crimes: The Ultimate Database Detective SQL Detective Game Review

Discover how the Database Detective SQL detective game turns learning data analysis into a thrilling mystery-solving adventure. Start your investigation today!

Mastering Data Analysis: How Database Detective SQL Crime Solving Games Sharpen Your Skills

Level up your data analysis skills with Database Detective SQL crime solving games. Learn how to use SQL queries to crack cases and master database management.

Database Detective Demo Gameplay: Can You Solve Crimes Using SQL Queries?

Dive into the Database Detective demo gameplay to see how SQL skills can help you solve crimes in this unique, hand-drawn indie investigation game.

Database Detective Demo: Master SQL and Solve Crimes in This Addictive Indie Puzzle Game

Discover why the Database Detective demo is taking the gaming world by storm. Learn how to solve crimes using real SQL queries in this unique, hand-drawn mystery.

Database Detective Gameplay: Master SQL and Solve Crimes in This Unique Indie Mystery

Dive into Database Detective gameplay, a unique indie mystery where you solve crimes using real SQL queries. Learn how to master this logic-based puzzle game.

Solve Crimes with Code: Watching the Database Detective Trailer and Mastering SQL

Discover how the Database Detective trailer showcases a unique way to solve crimes using SQL. Learn if this indie puzzle game is right for your library.

Database Detective Minor Crimes Division Price: Is This SQL Puzzle Game Worth It?

Curious about the Database Detective Minor Crimes Division price? Discover if this unique SQL-based detective game is worth the investment for your library.

Solve Crimes with Code: Why You Should Play Database Detective Steam Edition Today

Ready to test your logic? Discover why Database Detective Steam is the ultimate puzzle game for aspiring data analysts and mystery lovers alike.

The Ultimate Database Detective Walkthrough: Master SQL and Solve Crimes in Los Zorangeles

Struggling with the city's toughest cases? Use this Database Detective walkthrough to master SQL queries, solve complex mysteries, and climb the ranks.

Database Detective Case 5 The Pizza Crime: A Complete SQL Investigation Guide

Struggling with Database Detective Case 5 the pizza crime? Learn how to master SQL queries, join tables, and catch the culprit in this step-by-step guide.

Database Detective Chapter 4 Guide: Solving the Hotel Mystery and Mastering SQL

Stuck on Database Detective Chapter 4? Learn how to solve the hotel case, master SQL queries, and progress through this engaging detective game.

Mastering Database Detective Chapter 1: Your First Steps Into SQL Investigation

Ready to solve crimes with code? Learn how to tackle Database Detective chapter 1 and master the basics of SQL in this comprehensive guide.

Mastering Database Detective Chapter 2: A Guide to Solving Minor Crimes

Struggling with the second case in Database Detective? Learn how to master SQL queries and navigate the Minor Crimes Division with our expert guide.

Solving the Mystery: A Deep Dive Into Database Detective Chapter 3 and Beyond

Struggling with Database Detective Chapter 3? Discover how to master SQL queries, solve the sandwich mystery, and climb the ranks of the Minor Crimes Division.

Database Detective: What You Learn While Solving Crimes with SQL Queries

Discover how Database Detective: Minor Crimes Division turns SQL learning into an engaging puzzle. See what you learn and why it's a game-changer.

Master SQL While Solving Crimes: The Ultimate Database Detective SQL Detective Game Review

Discover how the Database Detective SQL detective game turns learning data analysis into a thrilling mystery-solving adventure. Start your investigation today!

Mastering Data Analysis: How Database Detective SQL Crime Solving Games Sharpen Your Skills

Level up your data analysis skills with Database Detective SQL crime solving games. Learn how to use SQL queries to crack cases and master database management.

Database Detective Demo Gameplay: Can You Solve Crimes Using SQL Queries?

Dive into the Database Detective demo gameplay to see how SQL skills can help you solve crimes in this unique, hand-drawn indie investigation game.

Database Detective Demo: Master SQL and Solve Crimes in This Addictive Indie Puzzle Game

Discover why the Database Detective demo is taking the gaming world by storm. Learn how to solve crimes using real SQL queries in this unique, hand-drawn mystery.

Database Detective Gameplay: Master SQL and Solve Crimes in This Unique Indie Mystery

Dive into Database Detective gameplay, a unique indie mystery where you solve crimes using real SQL queries. Learn how to master this logic-based puzzle game.

Solve Crimes with Code: Watching the Database Detective Trailer and Mastering SQL

Discover how the Database Detective trailer showcases a unique way to solve crimes using SQL. Learn if this indie puzzle game is right for your library.

Database Detective Minor Crimes Division Price: Is This SQL Puzzle Game Worth It?

Curious about the Database Detective Minor Crimes Division price? Discover if this unique SQL-based detective game is worth the investment for your library.

Solve Crimes with Code: Why You Should Play Database Detective Steam Edition Today

Ready to test your logic? Discover why Database Detective Steam is the ultimate puzzle game for aspiring data analysts and mystery lovers alike.

What is Database Detective?

Database Detective: Minor Crimes Division is a hand-drawn programming puzzle and detective game for Steam. You solve a backlog of absurdly minor crimes by querying evidence tables with real SQL.

It is designed for complete beginners, with a short in-game textbook, detailed query errors, and an assistant who offers layered hints. Later cases expand beyond tables into more than 40 fictional websites and deeper deduction.

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Developer

Thomas Hsu

Platform

Steam — Windows, macOS, Linux

Genre

Programming Puzzle

User Reviews

99% Positive

Cases

In-Game Websites

40+

Playtime

8–10 Hours

Database Detective Homepage Modules Navigation

Jump straight to the eight homepage sections and scroll to the module you need.

Database Detective Beginner Guide

Start your first investigation without prior SQL experience. This guide explains the mission briefing, instruction manual, evidence tables, assistant hints, query workflow, and suspect arrest process.

1Listen to the fully voiced mission briefing to learn the crime, objectives, and available evidence.

2Read the in-game SQL textbook, which contains fewer than 20 pages and covers the concepts needed to solve the cases.

3Inspect the available evidence tables and identify useful columns before writing a query.

4Use SQL queries to filter the evidence and narrow the results to possible suspects.

5Ask the assigned assistant for case or SQL hints if the evidence does not lead to a clear answer.

6Combine the query results with the case clues before choosing and arresting a suspect.

Database Detective Case Walkthroughs

Navigate all 10 investigations with spoiler-aware objectives, evidence checks, and query explanations. The cases become longer and more complex, with some later investigations taking about an hour to complete.

Demo CasesThe free demo contains the first 4 cases from the complete game.

Full GameDatabase Detective includes 10 cases in total.

Difficulty CurveEach new case becomes longer and introduces more complex evidence and SQL requirements.

Later CasesInvestigations in the latter half of the game can take approximately one hour each.

Complete PlaytimeFinishing the complete set of cases is expected to take around 8–10 hours.

Database Detective SQL Guide

Learn the SQL concepts used to search evidence and solve crimes throughout Database Detective. The learning path progresses from basic query construction and saved tables to grouping columns, joins, and self joins.

1Use the short in-game textbook to understand the structure of an SQL query.

2Query evidence tables and filter their rows to isolate relevant records.

3Create and save result tables for later stages of an investigation.

4Group columns when a case requires evidence to be summarized.

5Join related tables and progress to self joins in more advanced cases.

6Use supported parser features such as CONCAT and IN when the investigation requires them.

Database Detective Achievements

Track all 34 Steam achievements, including case completions, SQL milestones, hidden website interactions, and unusual endings. Achievement pages should separate straightforward progression goals from secret or missable discoveries.

SQL ExpertCreate your first table.

Creator of TablesCreate 50 tables.

Destroyer of TablesDelete multiple tables at once.

Frog FanApply to be a member of frogblog.net.

WebtrotterVisit every website.

Pink SlipGet laid off.

Database Detective Hints and Query Errors

Resolve invalid queries and stalled investigations without immediately revealing the complete solution. The game provides a textbook, detailed parser feedback, and a multi-stage assistant hint system.

1Check the relevant chapter of the in-game SQL textbook for the required query structure.

2Read the detailed parser message to identify where the query syntax went wrong.

3Confirm that the referenced table and column names match the available evidence.

4Ask the assigned assistant for help with either the case clues or the required SQL.

5Select Next after requesting help to cycle through progressively clearer hints.

Database Detective Websites and Secrets

Explore the fictional internet used by later investigations and optional achievement hunts. The full game contains more than 200 webpages across over 40 websites, making web navigation a major part of advanced cases.

40+ WebsitesThe complete game includes more than 40 fictional websites to investigate.

200+ WebpagesThose websites contain more than 200 individual webpages.

Web SleuthingLater cases require players to browse the fictional internet and connect online information with database evidence.

Named DestinationsOfficial achievements reference frogblog.net, goallin.com, selectyourstar.com, and LZU.

WebtrotterThe Webtrotter achievement is awarded for visiting every website.

Database Detective Demo Guide

Try the opening investigations through the free Steam demo before purchasing the complete game. The demo contains the first 4 cases and continues to receive compatibility and feature updates.

1Download the free Database Detective demo from its official Steam page.

2Complete the first 4 cases, all of which are also included in the full game.

3Use the beginner textbook, parser feedback, and assistant hints to learn the core investigation workflow.

4Explore the updated demo interface, including its login screen and improved Undo and Redo functionality.

5Test parser support for CONCAT and IN, which were added when the demo was brought up to date with the full release.

Database Detective System Requirements

Check whether Database Detective will run on Windows, macOS, or Linux before downloading it. The game has modest memory and storage requirements, but each operating system has a different minimum version.

WindowsRequires a 64-bit version of Windows 10 and DirectX 10.

macOSRequires macOS Big Sur 11 and an Apple Silicon processor.

LinuxRequires Ubuntu 22.04.

MemoryAll listed platforms require at least 4 GB RAM.

StorageAll listed platforms require 2 GB of available storage.