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 revived Famicom Detective Club series. Producer Sakamoto positions this title as the culmination of the entire franchise.

Emio, the Smiling Man: A New Chapter in the Famicom Detective Club Saga

The original Famicom Detective Club games, The Missing Heir and The Girl Who Stands Behind, debuted in the late 1980s, immersing players in Japanese countryside murder investigations. Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club continues this tradition, placing players in the role of assistant detectives at the Utsugi Detective Agency. Their mission: solve a series of murders connected to the infamous serial killer, Emio, the Smiling Man.

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

The game's synopsis reveals a chilling discovery: a student found dead, his head similarly covered with a smiley-faced paper bag. This unsettling image mirrors a recurring clue in a string of 18-year-old cold cases, linking the crime to the urban legend of Emio, a killer said to bestow a "smile that will last forever."

Players investigate the murder of Eisuke Sasaki, following clues that lead to past unsolved cases. Interviews with classmates and others involved, alongside careful examination of crime scenes, are crucial to solving the mystery.

Assisting in the investigation is Ayumi Tachibana, a returning character known for her sharp interrogation skills, and Shunsuke Utsugi, the detective agency director who previously worked on the cold cases.

A Divided Fanbase

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

While many welcomed the Famicom Detective Club's return, others expressed disappointment, particularly regarding 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 Famicom Detective Club series is renowned for its captivating narratives and atmosphere. The positive reception of the 2021 Switch remakes inspired Sakamoto to create a new entry. He cites inspiration from horror filmmaker Dario Argento, particularly Argento's use of music and imagery in Deep Red, which influenced The Girl Who Stands Behind. Kenji Yamamoto, the series composer, recalls Sakamoto's instructions to make the final scene of The Girl Who Stands Behind as terrifying as possible, resulting in a dramatic audio climax.

Emio, the Smiling Man, is a new urban legend specifically created for the game. Sakamoto aims to provide players with a thrilling experience centered around uncovering the truth behind this urban myth. While this installment focuses on urban legends, previous games explored themes of superstitious sayings and ghost stories. The Missing Heir delved into a village's ominous prophecy connected to the murders, while The Girl Who Stands Behind involved a ghost story linked to the victim.

The Genesis of a Gripping Narrative

Sakamoto has discussed the creative freedom during the development of the original games, emphasizing Nintendo's hands-off approach. The initial games received positive critical acclaim, currently holding a 74/100 Metacritic score.

Sakamoto considers Emio – The Smiling Man the culmination of his team's experience, describing the game as a product of extensive collaboration and a dedication to a compelling script and animation. He anticipates the game's ending will spark considerable discussion among players for years to come, acknowledging its potential to be divisive.