Unraveling a Century of Secrets: A Look Into The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story
is a bold reimagining of the Full Motion Video (FMV) genre, blending high-production live-action cinematography with deep deductive gameplay. Developed by Square Enix
, it challenges players to solve a series of murders spanning 100 years within the enigmatic Shijima family. A Narrative Spanning Generations
The story follows Haruka Kagami, a mystery novelist who visits the Shijima estate to investigate a century-old skeleton unearthed under a cherry tree. The investigation plunges her into four distinct murder cases across three eras: A tragedy during an auction at the Shijima mansion. Secrets revolving around the "Fruit of Youth". A modern-day mystery that ties the threads together.
A unique narrative device sees the same cast of actors portraying different characters across these time periods, representing how Haruka "projects" familiar faces onto historical figures as she reconstructs the cases.
The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is a high-concept, live-action mystery adventure that blends cinematic storytelling with detective gameplay. Released on May 12, 2022 , and developed by h.a.n.d. Inc. Square Enix The Centennial Case- A Shijima Story Switch NSP...
, it casts you as Haruka Kagami, a mystery novelist investigating a century of inexplicable deaths within the Shijima family. Key Features and Gameplay
The game is structured like an interactive drama, requiring about
to complete. It is divided into three distinct phases for each chapter: The Incident Phase
: Watch live-action sequences to observe a murder as it unfolds and identify clues. The Reasoning Phase
: Enter a "cognitive space" using a hexagonal grid to connect clues to mysteries and form multiple hypotheses. The Solution Phase Unraveling a Century of Secrets: A Look Into
: Pin down the killer by selecting the correct hypothesis and refuting their counter-arguments. Technical Details (Switch) : Approximately Play Modes : Fully supports TV, Tabletop, and Handheld modes.
: Includes English and Japanese audio, with subtitle support for English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Korean, and Chinese. Critical Reception Critics generally praise the game's acting and storytelling while noting its unique "interactive film" nature: High Points
: Gripping narrative, top-notch Japanese voice work, and a satisfying conclusion that ties multiple eras together.
: Some reviewers found the hexagonal reasoning system tedious and the console controls occasionally awkward. Availability and Pricing Nintendo Store Physical (Import)
How long is The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story? | HowLongToBeat Gameplay Mechanics: Beyond the Standard Visual Novel If
Here’s an informative review of The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story for the Nintendo Switch (NSP/digital or cartridge), focusing on its unique blend of mystery, live-action FMV, and interactive deduction.
If you are downloading The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story Switch NSP, prepare for a gameplay loop that is far more active than a typical "click to read" experience.
This is a high-end FMV game. Unlike many low-budget FMV titles that feel campy, The Centennial Case features sets, lighting, and acting that rival television productions.
Here, Haruka presents the final case file. You watch a final live-action montage where she explains how the crime was committed. If you connected the wrong clues, you get a "Game Over" scenario where Haruka is humiliated by the culprit. If you are correct, the story progresses.
Note on the Switch NSP: Because the game is video-heavy, the NSP file size is substantial (roughly 12-15 GB). Ensure your SD card is formatted exFAT or has enough free space before installing.
You watch a live-action cutscene. It plays out like a prestige J-drama. As the scene unfolds, floating "Mystery Fragments" (key items, dialogue snippets, or suspicious glances) appear on screen. You must click them to collect evidence. Miss one? You can rewind the video timeline easily using the Switch's touchscreen or joy-con.