While it may not be the pure horror experience that early previews hinted at, Emio – The Smiling Man is undoubtedly one of the most unsettling games Nintendo has ever produced. Blending a chilling murder mystery with the eerie allure of urban legends, the game doesn’t shy away from exploring dark themes. Beyond its ominous atmosphere, Emio stands out as a compelling mystery that feels right at home on the Nintendo Switch, a platform that has increasingly become a haven for such narratives.

Emio continues the legacy of a lesser-known Nintendo franchise, Famicom Detective Club, originally created by Metroiddesigner Yoshio Sakamoto. Though these games were initially exclusive to Japan, they gained new life with unexpected remakes released for the Switch in 2021. Emio marks the first completely new entry in the series since the late 1980s, yet it retains much of the gameplay mechanics that defined its predecessors.

The game plays out like a visual novel, where players interact with the world through a menu of verbs such as “look,” “ask,” and “review.” These actions drive the investigation forward as you examine crime scenes, question witnesses, and piece together clues. The process can be repetitive, often requiring players to ask the same questions multiple times to extract vital information. This approach demands patience and a love for reading, but it also creates a deep sense of immersion as the story unfolds.

Emio centers around a string of gruesome murders linked to a mysterious figure who wears a paper bag with a disturbing smiley face. The killings echo a series of crimes from 18 years ago and tie into an urban legend about a figure named Emio, who is rumored to kill in a similar manner. As a young assistant to a private investigator, you work alongside the police to connect the dots, uncovering increasingly disturbing truths.

The game's narrative is its strongest asset, with each revelation pulling you deeper into its twisted world. Despite the absence of overt horror elements, Emio maintains an eerie tone that keeps players on edge. It’s a satisfying experience when the intricate plot threads finally start to align, revealing a story that’s both dark and captivating.

Emio joins a growing roster of detective games on the Switch, alongside titles like Ace Attorney, Murder by Numbers, and Coffee Talk. While its gameplay may feel somewhat old-fashioned compared to these contemporaries, the strength of its story makes it a standout experience, especially for fans of gripping mysteries.