Famicom Detective Club's Volume 12 Interview with Emio, nicknamed The Smiling Man, Part 3
In the world of gaming, the release of a new adventure game is always an exciting event. Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club, the first entirely new game in the series in about 35 years, is no exception. Developed by Sakamoto and Miyachi, this interactive drama offers a fresh take on the classic series while staying true to its roots.
Sakamoto, one of the developers, started with an initial version of the game, which Miyachi then reviewed, offering suggestions to refine the logic and create a sense of accomplishment for players. One of Miyachi's innovative ideas was to use spreadsheet software to organise various aspects of the game, such as backgrounds, music, and scene transitions.
The developers aimed to change the atmosphere from previous games, making it less oppressive and more refined. To achieve this, they focused on creating compelling characters, atmospheric audio, a fitting art style, engaging gameplay mechanics, and a user-friendly interface. The result is a game that immerses players in a gripping, immersive atmosphere, especially for horror or thriller genres.
Designing characters with distinct looks, personalities, and behaviours is fundamental, as players engage deeply with them throughout the game. The audio, including sound effects and background music, creates atmosphere and immersion, supporting the narrative tone without overwhelming gameplay. The art style, inspired by Japanese artists like Junji Ito, sets the mood and tone visually, reinforcing the horror and mystery elements.
The gameplay mechanics, while relying mainly on standard point-and-click style interactions, are intuitive and polished, supporting exploration and puzzle-solving. Smooth interface design allows players to navigate the story easily without frustration. However, Emio received some criticism for lack of refinement in mechanics, highlighting the importance of clarity in game design.
The user interface and interaction are crucial for maintaining immersion. The developers included the option to turn off hints for players who prefer a more traditional command-based adventure game experience. The game also features phone calls during various scenes, revealing unexpected sides of characters.
The game is set in a time that retains the feel of the original games, and it includes Easter eggs for players to discover during multiple playthroughs. The developers hope that players will enjoy the game at their own pace, whether they are new to the series or long-time fans.
Emio is classified as an "interactive drama", a genre that emphasises player choices affecting the story and characters' responses. The game features old-fashioned flip phones as a new in-game element, which helps to establish the time period. The game is set to launch on Thursday, August 29.
For those interested in learning more about the game's development, the twelfth volume of Ask the Developer features an interview with the developers behind Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club for the Nintendo Switch. The developers put extraordinary attention to detail into every scene, resulting in a workload twice as large as expected. Despite this, they aimed to make the game enjoyable for both Famicom Detective Club fans and new players.
Miyachi explains that they highlighted certain words that would give players hints in a different color to help them progress through the story. Sakamoto realized that he had made the game too difficult and wanted players to feel a sense of achievement when they solve a puzzle. The previous Famicom Detective Club games only used text and had no voice acting, but this game includes voice acting.
In summary, Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club is a testament to the power of well-crafted characters, atmospheric audio, a fitting art style, engaging gameplay mechanics, and a user-friendly interface to fully immerse players in an adventure game. Whether you're a fan of the series or new to the world of Famicom Detective Club, this game promises an immersive and engaging experience.
- The developers designed the game to run on the Nintendo Switch, adding to the PS Vita, and mobile gadgets as potential platforms in the future.
- In the game, players can use a replica of an old NES gadget, the D-Pad, as an in-game item, reminding fans of its storied history.
- The developers are planning to offer support for the game post-launch, ensuring that any technical issues are addressed and players continue to enjoy the gaming experience.
