Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Famicom Tantei Club Part II: Ushiro ni Tatsu Shōjo places you directly into the role of a fledgling detective, granting you full agency to name your protagonist and determine how you navigate each lead. From the moment you step into Utsugi’s office, the game’s menu-driven structure—featuring “Talk,” “Investigate,” and “Think” commands—encourages you to plan your next move carefully. Each choice can open up new dialogue options, reveal hidden clues, or send you down a red herring, making each playthrough feel like a fresh puzzle to untangle.

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The heart of the gameplay lies in its meticulous investigation mechanics. Conversations with suspects and witnesses are handled through topic-based questioning, where you’ll need to piece together conflicting accounts and subtle inconsistencies. Investigation segments let you move a hand-shaped cursor over detailed room backgrounds, clicking on precise spots to uncover fingerprints, torn notes, or other minute evidence. This blend of trial-and-error exploration with thoughtful deduction keeps the tension high as you hunt for the crucial clue that will crack the case.

Another standout feature is the “Think” command, which allows the detective to review gathered evidence in a mental journal. Here, you revisit testimonies and object descriptions to form new lines of inquiry. This mechanic not only deepens immersion but also gives players a genuine sense of satisfaction when they connect disparate details into a coherent theory. Although there’s no in-game hint system, the layered design of clues and multiple dialogue branches rewards careful players who take the time to explore every investigative avenue.

Graphics

Given its original release on the Famicom Disk System, the visual presentation relies on static, hand-drawn stills rendered in retro pixel art. Backgrounds are often dimly lit—especially at the bridge crime scene—using a limited palette to evoke an eerie, suspenseful atmosphere. Character portraits during dialogue sequences are expressive despite their simplicity, conveying fear, guilt, or surprise in just a few lines of shading.

The game’s art direction leans heavily on contrast: dark hallways and shadowed school corridors stand in sharp relief against character sprites and important objects. This design choice not only reflects Famicom hardware constraints but also amplifies the mystery’s mood. Occasionally, the visuals lean toward the surreal—particularly when the rumor of the ghost-like “girl who stands at the back” is invoked—adding a touch of the supernatural without resorting to full-blown horror imagery.

Text boxes appear cleanly at the bottom of the screen, with clear Japanese kana and kanji fonts that remain legible even on smaller displays. While modern gamers accustomed to high-definition graphics may find the visuals modest by today’s standards, aficionados of classic adventure titles will appreciate the game’s nostalgic aesthetic. The minimalist art style invites players to focus on narrative and deduction rather than flashy animations.

Story

At its core, Ushiro ni Tatsu Shōjo delivers a tightly woven murder mystery that gradually unfurls over a handful of chapters. The inciting incident—a girl named Yoko found dead near a central bridge—sets off a chain of events linking the victim’s school life, rumors of a spectral figure, and the hidden connections among classmates. As Utsugi’s assistant, your personalized detective steps into this web of secrets, determined to unmask the truth.

The narrative excels in building suspense through layered revelations. Early conversations hint at infighting among students and possible academic scandals, while whispered tales of a “girl who stands at the back” introduce an unsettling undercurrent. Each new piece of evidence seems to both clarify and complicate the case: a torn photograph here, an offhand comment there, culminating in dramatic confrontations that test your deductive skills. The story’s pacing strikes a balance between methodical clue-gathering and moments of genuine shock.

Character interactions are the game’s lifeblood. You’ll question classmates and teachers who each harbor their own motivations, forging alliances or sowing distrust as you see fit. Although the dialogue occasionally feels stilted by modern standards, it effectively conveys the era’s schoolyard dynamics and the pressure mounting on both the suspects and investigators. The finale delivers a satisfying payoff, with enough twists to keep you second-guessing your assumptions until the very last scene.

Overall Experience

Famicom Tantei Club Part II: Ushiro ni Tatsu Shōjo remains an essential title for fans of classic detective adventures. Its deliberate, text-heavy design requires patience and attention to detail, rewarding players who embrace its slower pace and relish the challenge of piecing together a multifaceted mystery. The freedom to interrogate, inspect, and reflect at your own tempo fosters a genuine sense of detective work.

The game’s retro presentation may feel limiting to newcomers, but its strengths lie in the evocative atmosphere and the structured investigation system. Whether you’re tracing footprints by moving a cursor pixel by pixel or confronting a suspect with the right line of questioning, each victory in reasoning feels earned. The lack of hand-holding ensures that when you finally crack the case, the triumph is all the more gratifying.

For prospective buyers, Ushiro ni Tatsu Shōjo offers a deep dive into early Japanese adventure gaming, showcasing how narrative complexity and player-driven deduction can thrive without advanced graphics or voice acting. If you’re intrigued by classic mysteries and enjoy parsing dialogue trees for every nuance, this Famicom classic delivers a unique and memorable detective experience.

Retro Replay Score

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