Famicom Detective Club

60%
Game Brain Score Based on 26 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Famicom Detective Club Game Cover
Another solid entry in the Famicom Detective Club duology, but with similar drawbacks to the first title.

Find the secret behind a grizzly rumor haunting a Japanese high school. Interrogate suspects and hunt for clues to piece together chilling conundrums plaguing a high school in Japan. Suspense (and a little bit of horror) ensues as you try to free students from their nightmare. Play at home, on the go, or in your favorite reading nook—only on the Nintendo Switch system. Can you figure out who the c…

  • Nintendo Switch
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

60%
Audience ScoreBased on 26 reviews
graphics7 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • Engaging plot with intriguing characters and a twisting, though predictable, storyline.
  • Beautiful visual overhaul and well-delivered voice acting enhance the overall experience.
  • Clever gameplay that simulates detective thinking, making it enjoyable for a younger audience.
  • Gameplay can feel dated and overly simplistic, lacking depth and meaningful interactions.
  • Progression often becomes confusing and requires repetitive actions, leading to frustration.
  • The youth-centric focus and certain character dynamics may not appeal to all players.
  • gameplay12 mentions

    The gameplay of the Famicom Detective Club duology is characterized by its simplistic and somewhat outdated mechanics, which can lead to frustration, particularly with its guessing game dialogue system and lack of depth. While the remastered visuals and sound are praised, many players find the investigative elements rudimentary and the overall experience inconsistent, making it more suitable for those willing to overlook these shortcomings. New players may enjoy the streamlined approach, but they should be prepared for some tedious and nonsensical interactions.

    • “The game is clever in how it takes what would normally be tedious 'what does this game want me to do' gameplay and has it simulate 'detective' thinking.”
    • “The Famicom Detective Club duology is, at its core, a beautiful set of remakes that will please players who can look past some of the dated mechanics.”
    • “However, its limited mechanics can cause a bit of frustration, but if you stick with it, it’ll be worth your time.”
    • “The mechanics have been simplified for a more streamlined game that lacks depth.”
    • “The gameplay is frustrating, with few opportunities to test your theories, and progression can be nonsensical.”
    • “The gameplay is very dated and at times barely tolerable; there are better visual novels.”
  • graphics10 mentions

    The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their beautiful anime art style, which offers a modern update to the original while maintaining its charm. Reviewers highlight the stunning 2D visuals, effective use of horror imagery, and the overall aesthetic that elevates the visual novel experience. However, some players noted a desire for options to switch to original graphics and mentioned that the gameplay feels dated compared to the impressive visuals.

    • “The winning anime art style provides a smart update on the '88 original.”
    • “Gorgeous graphics that take the visual novel potential to new heights.”
    • “The art style still rules, and this game's action scenes and horror imagery make good use of it.”
    • “The gameplay is very dated and at times barely tolerable; there is no option to switch to original graphics, and there are better visual novels.”
  • music8 mentions

    The music in the game has received high praise for its excellent quality, featuring both a beautifully arranged original soundtrack and the option to switch to classic versions. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to enhance the overall experience, complemented by full voice acting and impressive visuals. Overall, the combination of music and art creates a captivating atmosphere that enriches the storytelling.

    • “Music and art are gorgeously upgraded.”
    • “The visuals, writing, and soundtrack are excellent, but actually getting to those will take a lot of patience.”
    • “Voice acting and music are fantastic, with some really well done moments. The new visuals are great, especially in motion, and the options to use the original soundtrack from FDS and SFC are nice.”
  • story7 mentions

    The story aspect of the games reviewed presents a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the engaging murder mystery plots and character dynamics, others criticize the youth-centric focus and pacing issues that detract from the overall experience. Notably, "Famicom Detective Club" is highlighted for its compelling narrative, though it suffers from frustrating gameplay mechanics that can obscure its strengths. Overall, the effectiveness of the storytelling varies significantly among titles, with some characters being memorable while others fade into forgetfulness.

    • “With an amazing story full of murder and mystery, Famicom Detective Club is a remake worth investigating.”
    • “Great story with a nice supporting cast, nice modern visuals, and soundtrack.”
    • “I didn't care for the more youth-centric focus of this prequel, either, in both the setting (a high school) and the general storyline and characterization: frankly, I found the whole 'are you romantically compatible with your annoying wannabe sidekick (who was much more helpful in the first game)' aspect really stupid, but your mileage may vary.”
    • “Progression can feel arbitrary and you often just end up spamming menu options until the next story beat unlocks.”
    • “Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind has an excellent murder mystery plot that is sadly obscured by frustrating and arbitrary roadblocks.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players appreciate the game's innovative approach to grinding, transforming what could be a tedious experience into an engaging exercise in "detective" thinking, making the gameplay feel more purposeful and rewarding.

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Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

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