Spike Chunsoft revealed more details of the upcoming adventure game Master Detective Archives: Rain Code, including information about the game’s setting, characters, gameplay mechanics, and other basic elements.
Furthermore, Kazutaka Kodaka, the game’s creator, also shared some tidbits about the game’s development in an interview conducted by Japanese media outlet Famitsu, According to Kodaka, development for Master Detective Archives began shortly after Danganronpa v3’s release, and in his own words, he wanted to create an adventure game that took place in our current era, and that development is currently 60% complete.
The Lucid-Noir adventure game by the creators of the Danganronpa series is scheduled for a Spring 2023 release on Nintendo Switch in North America and Europe.
▍A Strange City Caged By Unending Rain
Master Detective Archives: Rain Code takes place in Kanai Ward, a strange city where it constantly rains. The city is divided into several areas, each with a different ambiance. Kanai Ward is also the home of a megacorporation.
Both the city and company have grown alongside each other, but for some time, the city has been under the control of the megacorporation. The government does not function properly, and because of its isolation, there is little interference from the outside world. According to the creator, Kodaka, the total area of Kanai Ward is bigger than the twenty-three wards of Tokyo combined.
▍ Master Detective Archives: Rain Code Characters
■ Yuma Kokohead – EN CV: Lucien Dodge / JP CV: Katsumi Fukuhara
The protagonist of Master Detective Archives: Rain Code. His background is unknown, but he was in possession of documents indicating that he was sent to Kanai Ward as a detective-in-training at an agency in the city, though he, unfortunately, suffers from amnesia, and can’t remember anything further than that. He possesses a strong sense of justice and selflessly tries to help anyone in need.
■ Shinigami – EN CV: Anjali Kunapaneni / JP CV: Sayumi Suzushiro
A death god contracted to haunt Yuma. She usually appears in her spirit form, and only Yuma can see her. Her words and actions sometimes confuse Yuma, and though cheerful and chatty, this death god’s sense of morality is quite far removed from that of humans. In the Mystery Labyrinth, she transforms into a humanoid form and has the power to intervene in matters.
■ The Master Detectives – EN CV: ??? / JP CV: ???
Among the detectives belonging to the World Detective Organization, there are detectives with a specialized power called Forensic Forte, called the Master Detectives. Using their abilities, they are capable of obtaining information and evidence that would otherwise not be available to ordinary people.
▍Mystery Phantoms and Reasoning Death Match
In Master Detective Archives: Rain Code, the entirety of Kanai Ward can be fully explored as it is rendered in 3D. Players can visit various locations, including crime scenes, and gather leads by conducting interviews. Avoid overlooking hidden clues by thoroughly examining the crime scene from various angles.
With the help of Shinigami, players can then advance through the Mystery Labyrinth, a realm that embodies the mysteries of the real world and solve puzzles related to the case in order to achieve the truth. These puzzles include quick-time event questions, and even debating against powerful phantoms.
Battles against phantoms are known as Reasoning Death Match. As they speak, you must identify contradictions while dodging the claims unleashed by them. By using the evidence you’ve collected, you can slay the Mystery Phantom with the Solution Blade to defeat it.
