Nintendo's Emio Reveal Disappoints Some, But the Famicom Detective Club Sequel Looks to Deliver a Masterful Murder Thriller

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

Famicom Detective Club Returns with a New Murder Mystery After Three Decades

The original Famicom Detective Club games, The Missing Heir and The Girl Who Stands Behind, debuted in the late 1980s. These titles placed players in the role of a young detective solving murders in rural Japan. Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club continues this tradition, casting players as assistant detectives at the Utsugi Detective Agency, investigating a series of killings linked to the infamous Emio, the Smiling Man.

Announced on July 17th, the game launches globally on August 29th, 2024, for the Nintendo Switch. This marks the first new Famicom Detective Club entry in 35 years, following a cryptic teaser featuring a trench-coated figure with a smiley-faced paper bag over their head.

The game's synopsis describes the discovery of a murdered student, his head similarly covered. This disturbing image echoes a pattern from a string of 18-year-old unsolved cases, all connected to the legendary Emio, who supposedly leaves his victims with a permanent smile.

Players investigate the murder of Eisuke Sasaki, following clues that lead to past cold cases. They'll interview classmates, examine crime scenes, and search for evidence.

Ayumi Tachibana, a returning character known for her sharp interrogation skills, assists the player. Shunsuke Utsugi, the agency director who worked on the unsolved cases eighteen years prior, also plays a key role.

Mixed Fan Reactions to the Announcement

Nintendo's initial teaser generated considerable buzz, as it deviated from the company's usual family-friendly image. One fan accurately predicted the game's nature on Twitter (X).

While many welcomed the return of the point-and-click murder mystery, others expressed disappointment, particularly those who disliked the visual novel format. Some social media comments humorously highlighted the frustration of fans expecting a different genre, such as action horror.

Exploring Diverse Mystery Themes

The series is lauded for its compelling narratives and atmosphere. The 2021 Switch remakes fueled Sakamoto's decision to create a new entry. He drew inspiration from horror filmmaker Dario Argento, particularly Argento's use of music and editing in Deep Red, which influenced The Girl Who Stands Behind. Composer Kenji Yamamoto described creating a terrifying final scene for The Girl Who Stands Behind, per Sakamoto's instructions, using a dramatic volume increase for a jump scare effect.

Emio, the Smiling Man, is an original urban legend created for the game. Sakamoto aims to provide players with a thrilling experience centered on uncovering the truth behind this legend. While this entry focuses on urban legends, previous installments explored superstitious beliefs and ghost stories. The Missing Heir involved a village curse, while The Girl Who Stands Behind centered on a school ghost story.

A Collaborative Effort

Sakamoto has spoken about the creative freedom afforded to the team during the development of the original Famicom Detective Club games, emphasizing Nintendo's hands-off approach. The original games received positive critical reception, holding a 74/100 Metacritic score.

Sakamoto describes Emio – The Smiling Man as the culmination of his team's experience, emphasizing the extensive creative process involved in crafting the script and animations. He anticipates the game's ending will spark considerable discussion among players.