Nintendo has revealed today that a three-part episodic demo for Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club will be available in the lead up to the release of the full game. Starting August 20th, the prologue and the first chapter of the game will be available to download. The second part of the demo will go live on August 23rd which, will include Chapter 2. The third part of the demo will release the day before the game’s launch on August 28th, and will include Chapter 3.
This is certainly an intriguing way for Nintendo to get players interested in the game in time for its release on Nintendo Switch. Having played the previous two entries on Switch, I can say with all certainty that I will most definitely be playing the demo as soon as each episode is available.
If you would like to know more about the demo, we have the official announcement from Nintendo below which also includes a new trailer for Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club.
FREE EPISODIC DEMO OF Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club AVAILABLE ON Nintendo Switch starting 20th August
The three-part demo covering the first three chapters of the game lets players experience the very beginning of the investigation for free
16th August, 2024 – Ahead of its launch on 29th August, players can start an early investigation into a heinous crime with a free three-part episodic demo of Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club that will be available on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch.
Starting in the morning of 20th of August, players can download the episodic demo to play through the Prologue and Chapter 1. Two further chapters will be automatically added to the demo: Chapter 2 in the morning of 23rd August and Chapter 3 in the morning of 28th August. Players can carry their progress forward to the full version of the game if purchased. For a sneak peek of what to expect: https://youtu.be/J-FVzcBhx4s
In Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club, a student has been found dead in a chilling fashion, his head covered with a paper bag with an eerie smiling face drawn on it – much like the victims of Emio, the Smiling man – a killer of urban legend. Playing as an assistant private investigator, you are tasked with helping police solve this crime, which is reminiscent of a series of unsolved murders from 18 years ago. Has a serial killer returned, or is this the work of a copycat? Are these crimes inspired by the Smiling Man story, or the origin of it?
As part of the continuing adventures of the Utsugi Detective Agency, for the first time in the Famicom Detective Club series, familiar character Ayumi Tachibana is also playable during select portions of the story. As an investigative duo, you’ll dive deeper into this intense story of suspicion, isolation and fragility.
Ahead of the launch of Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club for Nintendo Switch, a free three-part episodic demo covering the first three chapters of the investigation into a heinous crime will be made available on Nintendo eShop beginning on the morning of 20th August with Chapter 1. Additional chapters will be automatically added on 23rd August and 28th August.
Will you be trying out the demo for Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club as soon as it is available? Will you be passing on the demo to jump into the full game come launch day? Let us know in the comments.
About Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club:
Investigate a brutal death and its connection to an urban legend – A student has been found dead! His head was covered with a paper bag with an eerie smiling face drawn on it—much like the victims of Emio, the Smiling Man—a killer of urban legend who is said to place such a bag over his victims’ heads.
As an assistant private investigator, you are tasked with helping police solve this crime, which is reminiscent of a series of unsolved murders from 18 years ago. Has a serial killer returned, or is this the work of a copycat? Are these crimes inspired by the Smiling Man story, or the origin of it?
Discover the answers to these questions and more as a member of the Utsugi Detective Agency in this intense story of suspicion, isolation, and fragility.
Explore an interactive drama full of interesting characters
Continue the adventures of the Utsugi Detective Agency with the return of familiar characters—including the returning protagonist from previous games, and Ayumi Tachibana, who is now playable in certain sections of the game for the first time in the series!
Playing as the investigative duo, you’ll need to learn a lot about the personalities and backstories of the other characters if you want to discover the truth. Who is harmless, and who is keeping important secrets? Ask questions, reference your notes, and make connections—you’ll have to order your thoughts and examine your leads carefully to draw the right conclusions.
Source: Nintendo UK
