The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story

The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is a game from Square Enix Studio. A interactive visual novel which plot revolves around the theme of eternal life and takes players back and forth through past and present events in a non-linear timeline to try and solve a bunch of murder mysteries. The game is almost 14-hour-long.

The game has been designed by Koichiro Ito (Metal Gear Solid V). Players take the role of detective cap as mystery novelist Haruka Kagami. For a century, the Shijima family has been plagued by mysterious deaths, and in a quest to uncover the truth behind these murders, you swiftly accept an invitation to the private estate’s Cherry Blossom Ceremony.

The production value of this game is truly exceptional. The story unfolds with expertly crafted tonal shifts between past and present, accompanied by breathtaking scenes. While the acting is generally stellar, there are moments where it falters, particularly due to abrupt shifts from seriousness to campiness.

However, the gameplay itself can feel somewhat monotonous. Each chapter consists of an hour-long scene where you meticulously gather facts that will later contribute to formulating a hypothesis about the murder. This process involves piecing together hexagonal grids to organize your thoughts and ultimately arrive at a logical conclusion.

Once you have gathered your conclusions, the intensity rises as you present your findings to the characters, aiming to identify the culprit. This phase becomes more challenging as they challenge your claims, requiring you to find the correct rebuttal to counter their doubts. Mistakes don’t lead to game over but rather return you to the hexagonal grids, with a deduction from your overall score at the chapter’s end.

The experience of delving into the depths of the Shijima family’s dark history offers a captivating and thought-provoking journey. With its impressive production values, nuanced storytelling, and challenging gameplay, the game stands out despite the occasional acting and gameplay drawbacks.

The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story it is an interesting game, a different one at least. If you like mystery and long run times, this game may be for you. However, the game is expensive, really expensive, it is listed at 19.99$. Which is a lot to ask for.