Nintendo's latest mystery, "Emio, the Smiling Man," is the newest addition to the revived Famicom Detective Club series. Producer Sakamoto positions it as the culmination of the entire franchise.

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

A Murder Mystery 35 Years in the Making

The original Famicom Detective Club games, The Missing Heir and The Girl Who Stands Behind, debuted in the late 1980s. Players solved 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 Nintendo Switch, this marks the first new entry in 35 years. A cryptic pre-release trailer hinted at the game's darker tone, showcasing a figure in a trench coat and a smiley-faced paper bag.

The game's synopsis: "A student is found dead, his head covered in a paper bag with a chilling smile. This disturbing image echoes unsolved murders from 18 years prior and connects to the urban legend of Emio, the Smiling Man, who supposedly gives his victims an ‘eternal smile.’"

Players investigate the murder of Eisuke Sasaki, following clues that lead to past cold cases. They’ll interview classmates, suspects, and examine crime scenes for evidence.

Assisting in the investigation is Ayumi Tachibana, a returning character known for her sharp interrogation skills. Shunsuke Utsugi, the detective agency director, who previously appeared in the second game, leads the team and has prior experience with the unsolved murders.

A Divided Fanbase

Nintendo's initial teaser generated significant buzz, presenting a departure from the company's typically cheerful titles. One fan accurately predicted the reveal on Twitter (now X).

While many welcomed the Famicom Detective Club's return, others expressed disappointment. Some social media users voiced their dislike for the visual novel format, with humorous comments suggesting that reading wasn't what some fans had hoped for. Others speculated that players anticipated a different genre, perhaps action-horror.

Exploring Diverse Mystery Themes

The series is celebrated for its gripping narratives and atmosphere. The 2021 Switch remakes fueled Sakamoto's decision to create a new installment. He stated in the video, "I knew we could make something great, so I decided to do it."

Sakamoto previously cited horror director Dario Argento as an influence, mentioning Argento’s use of music and editing in Deep Red as inspiration for The Girl Who Stands Behind. Composer Kenji Yamamoto described creating the terrifying final scene of that game per Sakamoto's instructions, utilizing 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 around uncovering the truth behind this legend.

While this game focuses on urban legends, previous installments explored superstitious sayings and ghost stories. The Missing Heir involved a village curse, and The Girl Who Stands Behind centered on a school ghost story.

The Genesis of a Thriller

In a 2004 interview, Sakamoto revealed his fondness for horror and high school ghost stories, which inspired the original games. He also highlighted the creative freedom Nintendo provided, only specifying the title and allowing the team to develop the narrative freely.

The original Japanese releases received positive critical acclaim, both currently holding a 74/100 Metacritic score.

Sakamoto describes Emio – The Smiling Man as a culmination of the team's experience, emphasizing the collaborative effort and dedication to the script and animation. He anticipates the game's ending will spark debate among players for years to come, acknowledging its potentially divisive nature.