Emio: The Smiling Man | Nintendo’s Horrific Mystery Sequel

Emio: The Smiling Man – Famicom Detective Club is a hauntingly powerful mystery elevated by incredible animation and stellar voice acting.

The mature tone and multiple protagonists create a layered experience that rewards attention to detail. Its darker themes may not suit all players, but this is a benchmark ADV that defines what narrative-driven games can achieve.

Emio – The Smiling Man At a Glance

Emio: The Smiling Man Background

Prior to the release of the MAGES developed Famicom Detective Club remakes, producer Makoto Asada entertained a new entry into the Famicom Detective Club series.

Our goal for the project was to create the pinnacle of 2D text adventure games, so we actually used development techniques originally planned for other games as well. Thanks to Nintendo and their development team, we made the best game we possible could, but looking back, we were quite reckless. How will we ever make something this good again? (laughs) We developed a fair amount of know-how working on the game, expertise I’d like to one day use on a new Famicom Detective Club one day (Jarop, 2021).

– Makoto Asada

Nintendo recently launched a cryptic drip marketing campaign featuring a disturbing image of a man with a paper bag over his head, accompanied by the question, “Who is Emio?” The campaign quickly sparked speculation and concern among fans, with some fearing that Bloober Team might be involved, a studio that has garnered mixed reactions in recent years. However, others were excited, hoping for a revival of the cult classic Eternal Darkness from the Nintendo GameCube era.

On July 17th, the mystery was finally unveiled: the game is a new entry in the Famicom Detective Club series. The announcement featured a video introduction from producer and original designer Yoshio Sakamoto, marking the first installment in the series in over 27 years. , this new entry is also the first M-rated title within Nintendo’s in-house IP lineup.

The development staff of Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club consists of:

• Yoshio Sakamoto (Writer)
  • Metroid, Super Metroid, Metroid Fusion, Metroid Dread, Wario Land 4
• Tsuyoshi Tonosaki, Hideo Sudo (Directors)
  • Steins;Gate Elite, Yu-No: A Girl Who Chants Love at the Bound of this World
• Yukihiro Matsuo (Character Design)
  • Chaos;Head: Noah, Chaos;Child, Anonymous;Code
• Takeshi Abo (Composer)
  • Chaos;Head: Noah, Steins;Gate, Anonymous;Code, Robotics;Notes
• Yoshio Sakamoto, Makoto Asada (Producers) 
  • Makoto Asada: DeathSmiles II X, Corpse Party: Blood Drive, Anonymous;Code

Emio: The Smiling Man Experience

Prior to playing Emio, I have completed the previous two Famicom Detective Club entries, the Spirit Hunter series, the first two Danganronpa titles, Fate/ Extra, Chaos;Head Noah and many other titles in the adventure game and visual novel genres. MAGES, formerly known as 5pb, I know of for the SciAdv universe, Muv-Luv, and Corpse Party.

Emio: The Smiling Man Impressions

Visual and Animation Quality

From the moment you select “Start Investigation,” Emio The Smiling Man immediately draws you in with its remarkable animation work that surpasses MAGES’ previous efforts in the Famicom Detective Club remakes. The protagonist’s entrance into the Utsugi Detective Agency is striking, with even the smallest details, like the sway of his hair, fully animated. The characters, especially those who gesture while speaking, are brought to life with fluid, natural movements.

Background characters, such as a police officer dusting a fence for fingerprints, are also animated, adding a layer of immersion as you engage with officers in the foreground who salute or make hand motions in sync with their dialogue. This level of polish in the animation is a significant upgrade, making the presentation truly stand out.

Mature Themes and Narrative Depth

One of the most notable aspects of Emio is its use of the M rating, which brings a level of creative freedom that was previously unexplored in the Famicom Detective Club series. This rating allowed the team, led by Sakamoto, to craft an unsettling murderer and atmosphere, touching upon mature themes such as suicide, grief, and other heavy subjects. These elements come together to form a gripping story that takes you on a whirlwind of emotions and keeps you guessing until the very end. The mature themes add depth and complexity, making the narrative more engaging and impactful.

Gameplay and Sound Design

As the animations transition to gameplay, Emio offers a fully voiced recap whenever you load a save, ensuring you’re never lost in the narrative. The in-game journal is a thoughtful touch, keeping track of key details, people, items, descriptions, and events to the investigation. MAGES has streamlined conversations since their previous titles, with important text highlighted in yellow to guide players through critical dialogue. However, this feature can be turned off in the options menu if you prefer a more traditional experience.

The game follows multiple protagonists, giving you a broader perspective and a larger scope of the investigation. The soundtrack is another highlight, with compositions that perfectly capture the mood of each scene, whether it’s a somber moment, a cheerful interaction, or a tense confrontation. The sound design further enhances the experience with realistic audio effects, like footsteps and car doors closing, deepening your immersion in the story.

Pacing and Narrative Continuation

Emio wastes no time in thrusting you into the heart of a murder investigation, quickly introducing a mix of familiar and new characters. The pacing is brisk, creating a sense of urgency as you rush from one location to another, mirroring the protagonists’ determination to solve the case. This urgency adds a layer of tension that keeps you invested throughout.

Post-Game Content

But the experience doesn’t end when the credits roll. After completing the game, a hidden epilogue unlocks, providing revelations that fill in any gaps in the plot. This epilogue delves into the backstory of the killer and other key details through character interviews, offering a deeper understanding of the narrative.

As a final treat, the game includes an OVA, beautifully animated by Studio MAPPA, which ties together the story’s threads in a cinematic and satisfying conclusion. This additional content not only enriches the story but also rewards players who are committed to uncovering every facet of the mystery.

Sakamoto and the rest of the team have created what is arguably the best Famicom Detective Club entry to date, pushing the boundaries of the series and delivering an unforgettable experience.

Seiyuu Performances

The talented cast of seiyuu truly brings the characters to life, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative. Their performances make the already compelling story even more engaging. Some notable seiyuu include:

• Megumi Ogata (Ninten Taro): Ken Amada (Persona 3), Makoto Naegi (Danganronpa), Shinji Ikari (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
• Yuko Minaguchi (Ayumi Tachibana): Videl (Dragon Ball), Momiji (Ninja Gaiden), Sailor Saturn/Hotaru Tomoe (Sailor Moon S)
• Yuuki Ono (Tsubasa Fukuyama): Josuke Hihashikata (JoJos), Taiga Kagami (Inazuma Eleven)
• Riki Kagami (Shunsuke Utsugi): Rauru (Legend of Zelda), Yoshida (Tamodachi Game), Mettius (Final Fantasy XIV)
• Ryoko Shiraishi (Junko Kuze): Asuka Kazama (Tekken), Hikage (Senran Kagura), Mila (Dead or Alive)
• Miyuki Sawashiro (Touko Fukawa): Jolyne Cujoh (JoJos), Celty Sturluson (Durarara!!), Chidori Yoshino & Elizabeth (Persona 3 Reload)
• Aoi Yuuki (Ayaka Hashizume): Madoka Kaname (Madoka Magica), Lysithea (Fire Emblem) Futaba Sakura (Persona)

Emio: The Smiling Man Review Verdict

Emio The Smiling Man is a masterpiece that stands as the pinnacle of the Famicom Detective Club series. MAGES has outdone themselves, delivering a game that is visually stunning, emotionally gripping, and narratively complex. The leap in animation quality brings the characters and environments to life in ways that were previously unimaginable, making every scene feel and immersive.

The mature themes and darker tones push the boundaries of what the series has explored before, resulting in a story that is both thought-provoking and intense. Sakamoto and his team have expertly woven a narrative that tackles heavy subjects like suicide, grief, and mental illness, all while maintaining the core mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end.

The gameplay improvements, such as the streamlined conversations and fully voiced recaps, make the experience more accessible without sacrificing depth. The multi-protagonist approach expands the narrative scope, offering varied perspectives that enrich the investigation. The inclusion of a hidden epilogue and an OVA animated by Studio MAPPA adds layers of depth and satisfaction for those who invest the time to see everything the game has to offer.

Finally, the stellar performances from the cast of seiyuu bring the characters to life in a way that only enhances the story’s emotional weight. Each voice actor adds nuance and depth, making the characters’ struggles and triumphs resonate even more.

Emio The Smiling Man is not just a visual novel; it’s a complete experience that sets a new standard for the genre. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the series or new to Famicom Detective Club, this game is a must-play, offering a hauntingly beautiful journey that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Emio: The Smiling Man TLDR

Emio: The Smiling Man Review References

1. Jarop. (2021, June 20). Famicom Detective Club Dev wants to make a new entry in the series. Nintendo Everything.