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 entry in the revived 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. Players assumed the role of a young detective solving murders in rural Japan. Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club continues this tradition, placing players as assistant detectives at the Utsugi Detective Agency. Their task: unravel a series of killings linked to the infamous serial killer, 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 trailer, featuring a trench coat-clad figure with a smiley-faced paper bag over their head, preceded the announcement.

The game's synopsis describes the discovery of a murdered student, his head covered with a similar paper bag. This chilling detail connects the case to a string of 18-year-old unsolved murders and the legendary Emio.

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 detective agency director who previously investigated the unsolved murders, also plays a key role.

Mixed Fan Reactions to the Announcement

Nintendo's cryptic teaser generated significant buzz, with some fans correctly predicting a new, darker Famicom Detective Club game. While many celebrated the series' return, others expressed disappointment, particularly those who preferred different genres. Some social media comments highlighted the surprise of a visual novel format.

Exploring Diverse Mystery Themes

Producer Yoshio Sakamoto discussed the series' development in a recent YouTube video. He described the original games as interactive movies, emphasizing their atmospheric storytelling. The positive reception of the 2021 Switch remakes fueled the decision 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. Composer Kenji Yamamoto described creating a terrifying final scene for The Girl Who Stands Behind, utilizing a dramatic volume increase for a jump scare effect.

Emio, the Smiling Man, is an original urban legend for this game. Sakamoto aims to create a thrilling experience centered around uncovering the truth behind this legend. While this game focuses on urban legends, previous installments explored superstitious beliefs and ghost stories.

The Missing Heir investigated a death within a wealthy family, connecting the case to a local saying about the dead returning to protect their wealth. The Girl Who Stands Behind involved a ghost story linked to a murder at a high school.

A Product of Creative Freedom

Sakamoto has mentioned his love for horror and high school ghost stories as inspiration for the original games. He highlighted the creative freedom Nintendo provided, focusing solely on the title and allowing the team to develop the story.

The original Famicom Detective Club games received positive critical reception, both currently holding a 74/100 Metacritic score.

Sakamoto describes Emio – The Smiling Man as the culmination of the team's experience, emphasizing the extensive work put into the script and animation. He anticipates a divisive ending that will spark ongoing discussion among players.