August 29th 2024.
Nintendo's latest release, Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club, has caused quite a stir in the gaming community. Many are wondering why the game has such an eerie and unsettling tone, especially considering it's coming from a company known for its family-friendly titles. But before we dive into the game itself, let's take a look at the initial marketing that had everyone talking.
In a surprising move, Nintendo teased the game with some creepy, survival horror-style imagery. This had fans guessing for days about what the game could possibly be, only to be disappointed when it was revealed to be a new installment in the Famicom Detective Club series. For those unfamiliar with the franchise, it's a series of visual novels that follows a teenage detective as they solve various crimes.
While the series has been around since the 1980s, it only recently made its way to the West in 2021 with a remake compilation of the original two NES games. These remakes were well-received, but it was clear that their appeal was primarily based on nostalgia for Japanese audiences. The lack of English voiceovers only solidified this. So when Nintendo announced a brand new entry in the series with an 18+ rating, many were excited for what could be a dark and thrilling experience.
Nintendo has dabbled in horror before, with games like Eternal Darkness and Resident Evil exclusives on the GameCube. So the idea of an internally developed horror game was intriguing. However, that's not exactly what we got with Emio - The Smiling Man. While the story does deal with more serious topics and has a higher age rating, the tone, presentation, and graphics are all similar to the remakes. This is a missed opportunity to evolve the formula and take advantage of modern technology and gameplay concepts.
The game follows the story of a 19-year-old working at a private detective agency who gets involved in a case where a 15-year-old boy has been found strangled with a smiley face drawn on a paper bag over his head. As the investigation progresses, more disturbing details emerge, including connections to an urban legend about the Smiling Man, who preys on emotionally disturbed young girls.
On paper, the story is dark and disturbing, but the colorful presentation and cheerful music dull its impact. Even the moments that are supposed to be tense or scary fall flat due to the inconsistent visuals and inappropriate music. It's clear that Nintendo was trying to balance the serious tone of the story with its family-friendly image, but it ultimately doesn't work.
One of the biggest issues with Emio is its gameplay. It's essentially a lottery, with players blindly trying different options in hopes of progressing the story. There's little to no signposting, and the game never indicates when you've exhausted all options in a scene. This makes it frustrating to play and takes away from the experience as a whole.
Overall, Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club is a missed opportunity. It's a well-made game with a good script, but it fails to evolve the formula or take risks. It's a disappointment for those looking for a thrilling horror experience, and even for fans of the original games, it may not be enough to justify the price tag. Hopefully, in the future, Nintendo will take more risks and innovate with its titles.
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