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 cast players as young detectives solving murders in rural Japan. Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club continues this tradition, placing players at the Utsugi Detective Agency, investigating a series of killings linked 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 game in 35 years. A cryptic teaser, featuring a trench-coated figure with a smiley-faced paper bag over their head, preceded the announcement.

The game's synopsis reveals a student found dead, his head covered with a similar paper bag. This unsettling detail connects the current murder to a string of 18-year-old cold cases, all tied to the legendary Emio, who supposedly leaves his victims with a permanent smile.

Players investigate the murder of Eisuke Sasaki, uncovering clues from past cases. They'll interview classmates, examine crime scenes, and gather evidence to unravel the mystery.

Ayumi Tachibana, a returning character with exceptional interrogation skills, assists the player. Shunsuke Utsugi, the agency director, who investigated the earlier unsolved cases, also plays a key role.

Mixed Reactions to the Announcement

Nintendo's initial teaser generated significant buzz, with its departure from the company's typically lighthearted fare. One fan accurately predicted the game's nature on Twitter (X), anticipating a darker third installment following the Switch remakes.

While many welcomed the Famicom Detective Club's return, others expressed disappointment, primarily citing their dislike of visual novels. 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 renowned for its immersive narratives and atmospheric storytelling. The positive reception of the 2021 Switch remakes spurred Sakamoto to create a new entry.

Sakamoto cited horror filmmaker Dario Argento as an influence, specifically mentioning Argento's use of music and quick cuts, which inspired The Girl Who Stands Behind. Composer Kenji Yamamoto recalled creating a deliberately frightening final scene for that game, employing a dramatic volume increase for a startling 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 Famicom Detective Club games explored superstitious beliefs and ghost stories. The Missing Heir involved a village curse connected to the killings, while The Girl Who Stands Behind featured a ghost story central to the mystery.

A Product of Creative Freedom

Sakamoto has discussed the creative freedom afforded to the team during development. Nintendo provided only the title, allowing the team to shape the story.

The original Famicom Detective Club games were well-received, both currently holding a 74/100 Metacritic score based on critical reviews.

Sakamoto describes Emio – The Smiling Man as the culmination of the team's experience, a result of extensive collaboration and a focus on the script and animation. He anticipates the game's ending will spark significant discussion among players.