Adventure Time: Finn and Jake Investigations is a single-player action-adventure game with puzzle-solving and exploration elements. The story takes place in the Land of Ooo, where Finn and Jake discover the old “tickertype,” a device used by Finn’s parents to report on strange happenings. Inspired by their legacy, the duo begins solving mysteries across the kingdom, each case acting as a self-contained episode. Players guide Finn and Jake through different regions, meeting familiar characters, investigating unusual events, and working toward uncovering the truth behind each case.

Gameplay is divided into two major components: investigation and combat. During the investigation sequences, players search environments for clues, interact with characters, and collect items needed to progress. These sections are structured like an adventure game, with puzzles that often require combining inventory objects or speaking to the right characters at the right time.

Combat occurs in real time whenever enemies appear. Finn takes the lead with melee attacks, while Jake supports him with abilities that allow him to stretch, form weapons, or otherwise change shape. Defeated enemies drop loot that can be used to upgrade abilities, and different combat scenarios encourage players to mix direct attacks with Jake’s unique transformations.

Progression is tied to the completion of individual cases. Solving mysteries unlocks new areas and introduces additional characters from the television series. Clues are tracked through an in-game log, ensuring that the player can review objectives and story beats while continuing the investigation.

Other systems include dialogue-driven interactions with a wide range of characters from the series, each presented with voice acting to match the animated show. Mini-games and side objectives occasionally appear within cases. While morality choices are absent, character dialogue can branch depending on the player’s investigation decisions.