Upon its original reveal, Emio caused quite a stir on the internet, hinting at a completely new franchise coming to the Nintendo Switch. The simple, mysterious, yet effective marketing got me hyped, with just a brief trailer enough to catch my attention. The prospect of a new horror game from Nintendo got me excited.
However, this is the issue with hype. We create ideas and concepts in our heads that often do not materialize. We set ourselves up for disappointment. The fact that it turned out to be a new game in the Famicom Detective Club series caught me off guard, but Nintendo never claimed it was a new IP: I fell victim to my own expectations, and that’s on me.
### A Very Dark Detective Mystery
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The ingredients promoted in the original trailer are present in the final product, but in a different dosage. Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club heavily relies on suspense, anchored by a cryptic and dark story where we play as a private investigator at the Utsugi Detective Agency. Our goal? Solve the crime involving the murder of a teenager, whose body was found with a paper bag over their head with a scribbled smile.
The game’s premise is straightforward, similar to TV series that deal with similar content. From this point on, you need to talk to witnesses, inspect environments, analyze information, always paying attention to every word spoken. The story will lead you to various logical locations and require you to interact with multiple characters, adding more information to the case while getting closer to the killer.
In a broader sense, it’s hard to classify Emio as a video game, as an interactive movie would be a more accurate description. Most of the time is spent skipping dialogue by pressing “A” continuously, making it unsuitable for players who prefer more action-packed experiences. There’s a lack of a strategic sense present, and in my perception, my actions do not influence the story’s outcome. The game follows an extremely linear structure, and it’s up to the player to discover the right command to progress the investigation, whether it’s talking to the right person or clicking on a specific object – something that is not always obvious and requires frequent “trial and error.”
### Memorable Characters, Charismatic Villain
Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club stands out for its dark themes, compelling story, and charismatic characters. The game explores topics like murder and suicide, which are not commonly seen in Nintendo projects. Each character is built with ambiguity, leaving the player guessing about their true motives.
### Artistic Style and Gameplay
The distinctive Japanese animation style enhances the characters’ personalities and emotions, creating a captivating atmosphere. While player input may be minimal, the interactive investigation aspect of the game draws players into the chilling story of the smiling man.
– Fascinating and dark mystery
– Compelling characters and storyline
– Unique visual style
– Engaging interactive investigation
### Pros and Cons
Despite its linear gameplay and limited interactive moments, Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club appeals to fans of slow-burn mysteries with a Hitchcockian and Fincheresque touch.
– Macabre yet intriguing mystery
– Fascinating Emio mythos
– Charismatic characters
– Captivating visual style
– Excessive linearity
– Minimal gameplay moments
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