You play as Haruka Kagami, a mystery novelist recruited by a wealthy family to solve a century-old series of murders tied to the Shijima cherry tree, which allegedly bears fruit only when a death occurs. The story unfolds across five eras (1922, 1972, 2002, 2022, and a hidden final chapter), each with different characters, motives, and a recurring supernatural element: a mysterious woman in red.
The narrative is split into Chapters → Cases → Murders. Each murder is presented as a standalone mystery, but they interconnect into a sprawling family curse. The writing is solidly melodramatic (think Higurashi meets Umineko but live-action), and the acting is genuinely good for an FMV game—emotional, not campy.
If you’re sourcing an NSP for The Centennial Case (e.g., for modded Switch or emulation):
The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is a high-budget live-action (FMV) investigative adventure published by Square Enix
. Released on May 12, 2022, for the Nintendo Switch, it combines cinematic storytelling with a deep, century-spanning murder mystery. Adventure Game Hotspot Plot and Premise Players follow Haruka Kagami
, a mystery novelist invited to the Shijima family estate to investigate the discovery of skeletal remains found under a cherry tree. The narrative centers on: Game Informer The Fruit of Youth
: A legendary object said to grant eternal life, which may be at the heart of the family's misfortune. A Century of Murders
: The story covers four distinct murder cases occurring across 100 years (1922, 1972, and the present), linked by the appearance of a red camellia at each crime scene. The Multi-Role System
: The game features a group of twelve actors who play different characters across the various time periods, adding a unique, almost theatrical layer to the investigation. Adventure Game Hotspot Gameplay Structure
The game is divided into three primary phases for each case: Incident Phase
: Players watch the live-action drama unfold, observing the scene and capturing clues as they appear. Reasoning Phase
: Set in a "cognitive space," players connect collected clues to specific mysteries on a hexagonal grid to form various hypotheses. Solution Phase
: Players present their findings, identify the culprit, and strike back against their rebuttals to prove the truth. The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story Review - Game Informer 12 May 2022 —
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 is a live-action full-motion video (FMV) mystery-adventure game published by Square Enix. Players take on the role of mystery novelist Haruka Kagami, who is invited to the Shijima family estate to investigate a century-spanning chain of inexplicable deaths and the legend of the "Fruit of Youth". Story and Setting
The narrative explores four different murder cases across three distinct time periods: 1922, 1972, and 2022. Each era features the same core cast of actors playing different roles, a stylistic choice justified in-game as Haruka's mental visualization of the past. The overarching mystery centers on the Shijima family's cursed history and a mysterious red camellia associated with death. Gameplay Mechanics The Centennial Case- A Shijima Story Switch NSP...
The game is structured into three recurring phases for each chapter:
The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is a live-action FMV (Full Motion Video) murder mystery adventure on Nintendo Switch. The game follows mystery novelist Haruka Kagami as she investigates a century-long chain of murders involving the Shijima family across 1922, 1972, and 2022. Gameplay Mechanics
The game is structured into three distinct phases for each chapter:
Incident Phase: Watch the murder unfold in live-action. Clues appear on the screen during the video; missing them isn't a problem, as they are collected automatically for the next phase.
Reasoning Phase: In Haruka's "Path to Logic," you connect [Clue] tiles to [Mystery] hexagons. You can identify correct placements by matching the decorative patterns on the edges of the hexagonal tiles.
Solution Phase: Present your findings to the characters. You must select the correct hypotheses to identify the killer. If your logic is refuted, you must "strike back" with a more accurate deduction. Chapter Guide & Key Solutions
The following are critical answers for solving the main cases: Gameplay Guide, Advice and Walkthrough - Steam Community
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 – 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 You play as Haruka Kagami , a mystery
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 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
Developed by Square Enix (yes, the Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts studio) and h.a.n.d., The Centennial Case is a live-action mystery thriller. Unlike typical visual novels, this game uses fully acted FMV sequences to tell a story spanning 100 years.
You play as a mystery novelist helping the Shijima family solve a series of bizarre murders that repeat every generation. The game is split into three distinct eras (Past, Present, and Future), and you must piece together "riddle fragments" to unlock the truth behind a cursed recipe for immortality.
The Centennial Case is a massive game in terms of data. Because it is comprised almost entirely of high-definition video files:
The Centennial Case is a bold experiment in the Full Motion Video (FMV) genre. It feels less like a video game and more like a high-budget, 10-hour Japanese drama miniseries that pauses every twenty minutes to ask you to solve a murder. While the story is gripping and the acting is surprisingly high-quality, the Nintendo Switch version specifically struggles to do the heavy lifting required to render realistic video files.