Emio – The Smiling Man Revives Classic Famicom Detective Club Series

Nintendo's latest visual novel combines nostalgic gameplay with a gripping, mature mystery.

The game follows a detective agency investigating a schoolboy's murder linked to an old urban legend.
Players navigate through a series of conversations using a menu of actions like 'ask,' 'think,' and 'examine.'
The game features well-developed characters and a story that explores themes of childhood trauma.
While the plot is engaging, the gameplay mechanics can feel outdated and repetitive.
The game's conclusion has been noted as abrupt and leaving some questions unanswered.