Technical Information
Developer: Happymeal, Undercoders
Publisher: Shinyuden
Release Date: August 24, 2023
Inspired by Famicom Detective Club, Retro Mystery Club Vol. 1 brings an adventure set in Japan in the 1980s.
You control a detective and must investigate what connects the death of a gentleman to a pearl that has disappeared.
Final Considerations – Analyzing the Game as a Whole
Graphics and UI
This game literally took its inspiration to heart and focuses on an 8-bit art style.
There aren’t many variations in scenery or character expressions, so your imagination will be your ally here.
Navigating through the game’s options is very smooth since everything is self-descriptive.
If you’re a book lover, this game will surely hook you with its simple, reading-focused approach.
The illustrations were done by mangaka Kiyokazu Arai, who was responsible for the art in some games and illustrations published in Famitsu magazine.
Soundtrack and Sound Effects
The only music that really stands out is the introduction theme, while the others are simpler.
Honestly, I didn’t pay much attention to the music because I kept my focus on reading. I didn’t notice anything unpleasant or annoying. The sound effects follow the same logic: short and somewhat strident.
Personally, I didn’t find any memorable music—nothing that will make me remember it in a few months.
Gameplay
It’s a simple game focused on reading and selecting actions. At first glance, the interaction options may make it seem more complex, like a point and click adventure. But it isn’t. It’s much more linear than it appears, even when I got stuck trying to figure things out.
This doesn’t detract from the game’s fun at all. Since it’s focused on reading, it often feels like you’re reading an interactive book (almost like a visual novel).
I haven’t played any games in the Famicom Detective Club franchise, so I can’t make a comparison.
The game is available in English and Spanish. During my playthrough, I chose Spanish to practice what I know and expand my vocabulary. In a way, the game ends up being a fun way to learn.
Replayability and Game Retention
I love investigative games, and they rarely fail to grab my attention.
Retro Mystery Club Vol. 1 is a light game. I even think it’s quite interesting for people who aren’t avid gamers and want to have more contact with the world of video games.
