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

Nintendo's latest entry in the Famicom Detective Club series, "Emio, the Smiling Man," has sparked mixed reactions, but promises a gripping murder mystery. Producer Sakamoto positions it as the culmination of the entire series.

Famicom Detective Club Returns with a New Case After Three Decades

The original Famicom Detective Club games, released in the late 1980s, captivated players with their countryside murder mysteries. "Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club" plunges players back into the role of an assistant detective at the Utsugi Detective Agency. This time, the challenge involves a series of murders connected to the infamous Emio, the Smiling Man.

Launching globally on August 29, 2024, for the Nintendo Switch, this marks the first new Famicom Detective Club title in 35 years. A cryptic pre-release trailer hinted at the game's darker tone, featuring a mysterious figure in a trench coat and a smiley-faced paper bag.

The game's synopsis describes a student found dead, his head covered with a similar paper bag, linking the crime to a string of unsolved murders and the legendary Emio, who supposedly grants victims an eternal smile.

Players investigate the murder of Eisuke Sasaki, uncovering clues from past cold cases. They'll interview classmates, examine crime scenes, and search for evidence. Ayumi Tachibana, a skilled interrogator from the original games, assists the player, alongside agency director Shunsuke Utsugi, who previously worked on the eighteen-year-old unsolved murders.

A Divided Fanbase

Nintendo's cryptic teaser generated significant buzz, with some fans accurately predicting a darker, third installment. While many celebrated the series' return, others expressed disappointment, particularly those who disliked the visual novel format. Some social media comments humorously highlighted the surprise of encountering a story-driven game within the Nintendo lineup.

Exploring Diverse Mystery Themes

Producer Yoshio Sakamoto, in a recent YouTube video, discussed the series' evolution. He described the original games as interactive movies, emphasizing the immersive storytelling. Inspired by the positive reception of the 2021 Switch remakes, he decided to create a new entry.

Sakamoto cited horror filmmaker Dario Argento as an influence, particularly Argento's use of music and editing in Deep Red, which impacted The Girl Who Stands Behind. Composer Kenji Yamamoto recalled Sakamoto's instructions to make the latter game's final scene intensely frightening, employing a dramatic volume increase for a jump scare effect.

Emio, the Smiling Man, is a new urban legend created specifically for the game. Sakamoto aims to deliver a thrilling experience centered on uncovering the truth behind this legend. Previous games explored themes of superstition and ghost stories, with The Missing Heir featuring a village curse and The Girl Who Stands Behind focusing on a school ghost story.

A Product of Creative Freedom

Sakamoto has spoken about the creative freedom afforded to the team during the development of the original games, with Nintendo only providing the title and allowing them to develop the story freely. The original games received positive critical reception, both currently holding a 74/100 Metacritic score.

Sakamoto describes "Emio — The Smiling Man" as a culmination of the team's experience, aiming for a compelling narrative and animation. He anticipates the game's ending will be a point of significant discussion among players for years to come, acknowledging its potential to be divisive.