Famicom Detective Club Sequel Set to Thrill with Masterful Murder

Nintendo's latest mystery, "Emio, the Smiling Man," is the newest addition to the revived Famicom Detective Club series. Producer Sakamoto positions it as the culmination of the entire series' legacy.

Emio, the Smiling Man: A New Chapter in Famicom Detective Club

The original Famicom Detective Club games, The Missing Heir and The Girl Who Stands Behind, debuted in the late 1980s, immersing players in Japanese countryside murder investigations. Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club continues this tradition, placing players in the role of assistant detectives at the Utsugi Detective Agency. Their mission: solve a series of murders connected to the infamous Emio, the Smiling Man.

Launching globally on August 29, 2024, for Nintendo Switch, this marks the first new entry in 35 years. A prior cryptic trailer hinted at the game, showcasing a trench-coated figure with a smiley-faced paper bag over their head.

The game's synopsis teases a chilling discovery: a student found dead, his head covered with a similarly unsettling paper bag. This grim image echoes a pattern from 18 years prior, linking the current case to the urban legend of Emio, a killer who supposedly bestows a "smile that will last forever."

Players investigate the murder of Eisuke Sasaki, uncovering clues from past cold cases. Interviews with classmates and others involved, along with thorough crime scene examination, are key to solving the mystery.

Joining the investigation is Ayumi Tachibana, a returning character known for her sharp interrogation skills. Shunsuke Utsugi, the detective agency director, who previously appeared in the second game, leads the team and has personal experience with the unsolved murders from eighteen years prior.

Mixed Reactions to the Announcement

Nintendo's initial cryptic teaser generated considerable buzz, its dark tone a stark contrast to the company's usual family-friendly offerings. One fan accurately predicted the game's reveal on Twitter (X).

While many welcomed the Famicom Detective Club's return, others expressed disappointment, particularly those who prefer genres other than visual novels. Social media saw humorous comments about the surprise of having to, you know, read.

Exploring Diverse Mystery Themes

Producer and writer Yoshio Sakamoto shed light on *Emio – The Smiling Man*'s development in a recent YouTube video. He described the original *Famicom Detective Club* games as interactive movies, a concept that continues in this new installment.

The series is celebrated for its captivating narratives and atmosphere. The positive response to the 2021 Switch remakes inspired Sakamoto to create this new chapter.

Sakamoto's inspiration, as revealed in a Wired interview, includes horror filmmaker Dario Argento, whose stylistic choices influenced the series' mood and pacing. The dramatic audio climax in The Girl Who Stands Behind exemplifies this influence.

Emio, the Smiling Man, is a new urban legend created specifically for the game. Sakamoto aims to deliver a thrilling exploration of this urban legend. Previous Famicom Detective Club games touched on superstitious beliefs and ghost stories, while this entry focuses on urban legends.

The Missing Heir explored a village curse linked to the Ayashiro family's wealth, while The Girl Who Stands Behind centered on a ghost story connected to the murder victim.

A Collaborative Effort

In a 2004 interview, Sakamoto highlighted his fondness for horror and high school ghost stories, inspirations for the original games. He also emphasized the creative freedom afforded to the team during development.

The original Famicom Detective Club games were well-received, earning a 74/100 Metacritic score.

Sakamoto considers Emio – The Smiling Man the culmination of the team's collective experience, a result of extensive collaboration and a commitment to a compelling narrative and visuals. He anticipates the game's ending will spark ongoing discussions among players.