Shock Return Super Metroid Director Revives Famicom Detective Club

Last week, Nintendo unveiled details about Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club. Contrary to initial speculations about it being a survival horror game, it is the first new entry in the Famicom Detective Club series in over 30 years. This new title has brought back Yoshio Sakamoto, the director of Super Metroid, to work on all aspects of the game, including plot, script, and cutscenes. In Emio - The Smiling Man, players assume the role of an assistant private investigator delving into a case involving a student murdered by Emio. The game explores themes around urban legends and serial killings, blending mystery and visual novel genres. The protagonist from the original game, The Missing Heir, also returns for certain segments. Emio - The Smiling Man is set to release on August 29.

The storyline of Emio - The Smiling Man revolves around an urban legend and a mysterious serial killer. Players will investigate the case as an assistant private investigator, trying to uncover whether the crimes are a result of a returning serial killer, a copycat, or inspired by the Smiling Man story. The game blends elements of mystery and supernatural folklore.

Famicom Detective Club is an adventure game series that debuted in the late 1980s on the Famicom Disk System in Japan. It gained recognition for its compelling storytelling and point-and-click gameplay mechanics. The original games, released as The Missing Heir and The Girl Who Stands Behind, received remakes on the Nintendo Switch in 2021. This series holds a special place in the hearts of fans of visual novel and mystery genres. The return of series veterans like Yoshio Sakamoto signifies a strong commitment to preserving the game's legacy while introducing new and intriguing narratives.