Nintendo's latest entry in the revitalized Famicom Detective Club series, Emio, the Smiling Man, has sparked mixed reactions. Producer Sakamoto positions it as the culmination of the series' narrative arc.
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. Emio, the Smiling Man continues the tradition of atmospheric murder mysteries, placing players in the role of assistant detectives at the Utsugi Detective Agency. The investigation centers around a series of murders linked to the infamous serial killer, Emio.
Launching globally on August 29th, 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, depicting a figure in a trench coat and a smiley-faced paper bag.
The game's synopsis teases a chilling murder: "A student is found dead, his head covered with a paper bag bearing an eerie smiling face – strikingly similar to clues from unsolved murders dating back 18 years, echoing the urban legend of Emio, the Smiling Man, who supposedly grants his victims 'a smile that will last forever.'"
Players investigate the murder of Eisuke Sasaki, uncovering clues linked to past cold cases. They'll interview classmates, examine crime scenes, and piece together the puzzle. Ayumi Tachibana, a returning character known for her sharp interrogation skills, assists the player. Shunsuke Utsugi, the agency director, also plays a key role, having previously worked on the 18-year-old unsolved cases.
A Divided Fanbase
The pre-release teaser generated significant buzz, defying expectations of typical Nintendo fare. While some fans correctly predicted the game's nature, others expressed disappointment. Social media reactions revealed a split: some celebrated the return of the point-and-click mystery, while others voiced their dislike for the visual novel format, with some even hoping for a different genre entirely.
Exploring Diverse Mystery Themes
In a recent YouTube video, producer Yoshio Sakamoto discussed the series' development. He described the original games as interactive movies, highlighting the atmospheric storytelling and engaging narratives. The positive reception of the 2021 Switch remakes spurred the creation of Emio, the Smiling Man.
Sakamoto cited horror filmmaker Dario Argento as an influence, particularly Argento's use of music and editing techniques, which inspired the atmosphere of The Girl Who Stands Behind. Composer Kenji Yamamoto recalled 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 himself is a new urban legend created for the game. Sakamoto aims to deliver a thrilling journey centered on uncovering the truth behind this legend. While Emio, the Smiling Man focuses on urban legends, previous installments explored superstitious sayings and ghost stories, as seen in The Missing Heir and The Girl Who Stands Behind.
Sakamoto's past interviews reveal a creative process marked by freedom and a fondness for horror and high school ghost stories. The original Famicom Detective Club games received positive critical reception, currently holding a 74/100 Metacritic score.
Sakamoto describes Emio, the Smiling Man as the culmination of his team's experience, emphasizing the dedication to the script and animations. He anticipates a divisive ending, hoping to spark long-lasting discussions among players.
