The Centennial Case- A Shijima Story Switch Nsp... [best]

The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story Switch NSP - A Detective Game with a Twist

Introduction

The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is a detective game developed by Mikal and published by Aksys Games. The game was initially released for PC and later ported to the Nintendo Switch (NSP) console. This paper aims to provide an overview of the game, its mechanics, and its unique features.

Gameplay and Story

The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is a visual novel-style detective game that follows the story of a detective named Shijima, who is tasked with solving a series of murders that have taken place on a remote island. The game features a unique investigative system, where the player must gather clues, interview suspects, and analyze evidence to uncover the truth behind the crimes.

The game's story is presented in a non-linear fashion, with the player able to choose which leads to pursue and which clues to investigate. This allows the player to piece together the events of the story in their own way, adding a layer of interactivity to the traditional detective genre.

Unique Features

One of the standout features of The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is its use of a "memory" system, which allows the player to relive memories of the past and gather clues that were not previously available. This system adds a unique twist to the traditional detective genre, allowing the player to explore the story from different perspectives and piece together the events of the past.

Another notable feature of the game is its atmospheric soundtrack and visuals, which create a immersive and suspenseful experience for the player. The game's art style is reminiscent of classic detective games, with detailed character models and environments that bring the world of Shijima to life.

Technical Analysis

The Nintendo Switch (NSP) version of The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story performs well, with smooth frame rates and quick loading times. The game's controls are well-suited to the Switch, with intuitive button mapping and a user-friendly interface.

The game's graphics and sound design are also well-suited to the Switch, with crisp and detailed visuals and an immersive soundtrack. The game's overall performance is stable, with minimal glitches or technical issues.

Conclusion

The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is a unique and engaging detective game that offers a fresh take on the traditional detective genre. With its non-linear investigative system, memory mechanics, and atmospheric soundtrack and visuals, the game provides an immersive experience for players. The Nintendo Switch (NSP) version of the game performs well, making it a great option for players looking for a detective game on the go.

Recommendations

The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is recommended for fans of detective games, visual novels, and mystery enthusiasts. The game's unique features and engaging gameplay make it a great addition to any gaming library.

Future Research Directions

Future research could explore the impact of non-linear storytelling on player engagement and the role of memory mechanics in detective games. Additionally, a comparative analysis of The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story with other detective games could provide further insights into the genre and its evolution. The Centennial Case- A Shijima Story Switch NSP...

The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story – A Century-Spanning Mystery on Nintendo Switch

Published by Square Enix and developed by h.a.n.d., Inc., The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is a unique live-action mystery-adventure that challenges players to solve a series of murders occurring over the span of a century. As of April 2026, it remains a standout title for fans of FMV (Full-Motion Video) games, blending high-quality cinematography with a deep, logical deduction system. Story and Setting: The Fruit of Youth

The narrative follows Haruka Kagami, a mystery novelist who visits the Shijima family estate at the request of Eiji Shijima. The Shijimas have been haunted by inexplicable deaths for generations, all seemingly tied to the legendary "Tokijiku"—a fruit said to grant eternal life.

Players must investigate four distinct murder cases set in different eras: 1922, 1972, and the present day. A unique stylistic choice in the game is that the same core ensemble of 12 actors portrays different characters across these time periods, rationalized as Haruka imagining these "ghosts of the past" as people she knows. Gameplay Mechanics: Incident, Reasoning, and Solution

The game is structured into three distinct phases for each case:

Incident Phase: Players watch the live-action drama unfold, observing clues and suspicious behavior as they happen in real-time.

Reasoning Phase: Using a "Cognitive Grid," players piece together clues collected during the Incident Phase to create various hypotheses. This phase allows you to explore multiple potential theories, even if some lead to incorrect paths.

Solution Phase: Haruka presents her findings. Success depends on selecting the correct hypothesis to confront the killer. Performance and Reception on Nintendo Switch

Reviewers have praised the game for its "sublime voice work" and impactful writing, though some noted that the reasoning can occasionally feel too guided. On the Nintendo Switch, the game generally runs at 30 FPS at 720p in handheld mode, with some players noting slightly longer loading times between FMV segments. Where to Buy and Pricing

The game typically retails for around $49.99 to $59.99. It is available digitally via the Nintendo eShop and physically through various retailers. Price (Approx.) Nintendo eShop POPnGAMES The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story

The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is a live-action Full Motion Video (FMV) mystery game developed by h.a.n.d. and published by Square Enix . It was released on May 12, 2022, for the Nintendo Switch. 🔍 Game Overview Adventure / Interactive Mystery.

Follows mystery novelist Haruka Kagami as she investigates a century of inexplicable deaths within the Shijima family. A three-act structure: Incident Phase: Watch the crime unfold. Reasoning Phase: Map out clues and hypotheses on a hexagonal grid. Solution Phase: Accuse the culprit based on your deductions. File Size: Approximately on Nintendo Switch. ⭐ Critical Reception

Reviewers generally praise the narrative but find the gameplay mechanics repetitive: The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story - Nintendo

Nintendo Switch download software. System. Nintendo Switch. Release date. 12/05/2022. Age rating. PEGI 16. Compatible controllers. The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story for Nintendo Switch

The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story – A Cinematic Mystery Masterpiece on Nintendo Switch

In an era where video games are pushing the boundaries of realism, Square Enix has delivered something truly unique with The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story. Moving away from traditional CGI, this title embraces the "Full Motion Video" (FMV) genre, blending high-quality live-action cinematography with deep, analytical gameplay.

If you are looking for the Switch NSP or planning to pick this up on the eShop, here is everything you need to know about this gripping supernatural mystery. The Premise: A Century of Murder The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story Switch NSP

The story follows Haruka Kagami, a mystery novelist who is invited by the illustrious Shijima family to investigate a series of inexplicable deaths that have occurred in their household over the past 100 years.

The narrative is divided into several time periods—the 1920s, 1970s, and 2020s. You aren't just reading about these eras; you are watching them unfold through beautifully shot live-action sequences. The twist? The same cast of actors plays different roles in each time period, creating a surreal, interconnected feeling that rewards players for paying close attention to faces and mannerisms. Gameplay Mechanics: Incident, Reasoning, and Solution

The Centennial Case isn’t just a movie you watch; it’s a puzzle you solve. The gameplay is broken down into three distinct phases:

The Incident Phase: You watch the mystery unfold. During these sequences, you must keep your eyes peeled for "clues"—visual cues or dialogue snippets that are automatically collected for your investigation.

The Reasoning Phase: This takes place in a stylized "Mind Palace." Here, you connect the clues you gathered to various "Mysteries" (questions about the crime). Linking them creates "Hypotheses." Unlike many mystery games, you can create multiple hypotheses—even ones that turn out to be completely wrong.

The Solution Phase: Armed with your hypotheses, you confront the suspects. You must choose the correct path of logic to corner the killer. Be careful: choosing the wrong hypothesis can lead to a "Game Over," requiring you to rethink your deductions. Why the Nintendo Switch Version Stands Out

Playing The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story on the Nintendo Switch (via NSP or physical cartridge) offers a specific kind of intimacy. Because the game feels like a prestige television drama, playing it in handheld mode feels like holding a high-stakes thriller in the palm of your hands.

Portability: The episodic nature of the chapters makes it perfect for commuting or relaxing on the couch.

Touch Controls: The Reasoning Phase, which involves dragging and dropping clues onto a hexagonal grid, feels intuitive on the Switch’s touchscreen.

Performance: While the game relies on high-quality video files (leading to a larger file size in NSP format), the playback is smooth and the transition between video and gameplay menus is seamless. A Visual and Auditory Treat

The production value is top-tier. Directed by Koichiro Ito (who worked on 428: Shibuya Scramble) and featuring music by Yuki Kajiura, the atmosphere is thick with tension and traditional Japanese aesthetics. The costumes and set designs for the 1920s and 70s sequences are particularly stunning, making the jump between eras feel authentic. Final Verdict

The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is a must-play for fans of Danganronpa, Ace Attorney, or classic Japanese "Shin本格" (New Orthodox) mystery novels. It challenges your brain while providing a cinematic experience that few games can match.

Whether you are downloading the Switch NSP to save space on your internal storage or buying the physical edition for your collection, you are in for a haunting, century-spanning journey that proves the FMV genre is very much alive and well.

Do you enjoy mystery games that use live-action actors, or do you prefer traditional animated visuals for your detective stories?

The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is a high-production live-action mystery adventure published by Square Enix that blends cinematic storytelling with deductive gameplay. Players take on the role of mystery novelist Haruka Kagami as she investigates a century-long string of inexplicable deaths within the Shijima family. Key Features

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 Case 1: The Murder of the Progenitor (1922)

, 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 an immersive live-action FMV (Full-Motion Video) mystery adventure published by Square Enix. Released on May 12, 2022, for the Nintendo Switch, it combines high-quality cinematography with a complex detective narrative that spans over 100 years. Plot & Setting

The story follows Haruka Kagami, a mystery novelist who is invited by her scientific advisor, Eiji Shijima, to his family's estate near Mt. Fuji. The investigation begins with a century-old skeleton found buried under a cherry tree but quickly escalates into a series of murders occurring in three distinct eras: 1922: The origins of a family tragedy at the estate. 1972: A murder occurring at a Tokyo nightclub.

2022: A modern-day poisoning that brings the mystery full circle.

Central to the plot is the "Fruit of Youth" (Tokijiku), a legendary fruit said to grant immortality, which has allegedly cursed the Shijima family for generations. Gameplay Mechanics

The game is divided into three distinct phases for each episode: The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story (Switch) Review

The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is a live-action, full-motion video (FMV) mystery adventure developed by h.a.n.d. and published by Square Enix. Released on May 12, 2022, for the Nintendo Switch, it centers on an investigation into the cursed history of the Shijima family. Story and Setting

You play as Haruka Kagami, a mystery novelist invited to the Shijima estate to investigate a century-old skeleton found under a cherry tree. The narrative spans four major murder cases across three different eras: 1922, 1972, and 2022. A unique stylistic choice is that the same core cast of actors portrays different characters across these time periods. Core Gameplay Mechanics Each chapter follows a structured three-act loop:

Incident Phase: Players watch live-action sequences to gather clues and witness the crime.

Reasoning Phase: Occurs in Haruka’s "Cognitive Reasoning Space." You connect clues to mysteries on a hexagonal grid to form various hypotheses.

Solution Phase: You present your chosen hypothesis to identify the suspect. Incorrect accusations lead to immediate game-over scenes. Technical Specifications for Switch

3. The Narrative: Five Mysteries Across One Hundred Years

Unlike most mystery games that take place in a single week, The Centennial Case spans a century. It is split into five distinct "Chapters" or "Cases," each set in a different era of the Shijima family.

The narrative is dense. You will need to keep a mental (or physical) map of who married whom, who changed their name, and which child inherited the "curse." The Switch’s sleep mode is a blessing here, allowing you to drop in and out of these long cutscenes effortlessly.

Why This Game is a Must-Play for Mystery Fans

Regardless of how you acquire The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story Switch NSP, the experience is worth your time. Here is why:

Visuals & Acting: High Production Value

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.

Pros & Cons for Switch

Pros
✅ Unique blend of FMV and interactive logic puzzles (not just “watch and click”).
✅ Excellent Japanese acting and direction.
✅ Thought board is satisfying and respects player intelligence.
✅ Stable performance, no cloud streaming required.
✅ Touchscreen makes clue linking intuitive.

Cons
❌ Some clues are too obvious on Normal, too obtuse on Hard.
❌ No English voice track (if you dislike subtitles during FMV).
❌ Thought board can feel tedious when you already know the killer but must manually link 20+ clues.
❌ Occasional pacing issues – long dialogue scenes between investigations.
❌ NSP size is large (~10 GB) for an FMV game; microSD card recommended.

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