Famicom Detective Club, Nintendo’s cult mystery series, is about to give Switch owners a reason to sleep with the lights on. “Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club“, launching on 29th August, marks the series’ first new entry in a staggering 35 years – and it’s not for the faint of heart.
The game thrusts players into the shoes of an assistant private eye at the Utsugi Detective Agency, tasked with unravelling a murder most foul. A student has been found dead, their head eerily adorned with a paper bag bearing a drawn-on smile. If that wasn’t unsettling enough, this grim visage bears an uncanny resemblance to clues from a string of unsolved murders from nearly two decades ago.
At the centre of this macabre tale is the titular Emio, an urban legend killer said to grant his victims “a smile that will last forever”. It’s a premise that wouldn’t feel out of place in a Japanese horror film, blending the psychological tension of a detective story with the creeping dread of folklore come to life.
Sakamoto, serving as the game’s producer, has been intimately involved in crafting this twisted narrative. From the foundational plot elements to the minutiae of script and cutscenes, his fingerprints are all over this new instalment. In a recently released developer chat video, Sakamoto offers tantalising glimpses into the game’s creation, hinting at the depths of mystery awaiting players.
For those unfamiliar with the Famicom Detective Club series, it’s worth noting that this isn’t a complete reinvention. The franchise got a fresh coat of paint in 2021 with remakes of “The Missing Heir” and “The Girl Who Stands Behind” for the Switch. These updates introduced a new generation to the series’ blend of visual novel storytelling and point-and-click investigation.
“Emio – The Smiling Man” looks to build on this foundation while posing some truly unnerving questions. Has a long-dormant serial killer resurfaced, or is this the work of a copycat? Did the urban legend of the Smiling Man inspire these crimes, or vice versa? It’s up to players to piece together the clues and separate fact from fiction.
While the game’s August release might seem at odds with its horror elements, there’s something deliciously unsettling about unravelling a chilling mystery as summer fades into autumn. Nintendo’s willingness to explore darker territory with this beloved cult series is a refreshing move, potentially opening the door for more mature narratives on the family-friendly platform.
For fans of visual novels, murder mysteries, or anyone looking for a uniquely Japanese take on the detective genre, “Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club” promises to be a must-play. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself checking under the bed before turning in for the night.