Gizoku Tantei Nosuri

About

Gizoku Tantei Nosuri is a visual novel with RPG elements that follows a sharp-witted detective and her unwilling sidekick as they figure out mysteries in a fictional East Asian-inspired empire. Players guide Nosuri, a skilled investigator, and Haku, a hesitant local, through a series of interconnected cases that gradually expose a larger threat to the Imperial Capital of Yamato. The story blends episodic problem-solving with character-driven dialogue, balancing clever clues and lighthearted banter between the two protagonists. Turn-based skill checks and branching choices add depth to the narrative, though the focus remains on the written story and relationships. The game leans heavily on its roots in the Utawarerumono franchise, offering familiar lore and worldbuilding for series veterans while standing as a self-contained mystery. Nosuri’s mix of confidence and compassion contrasts with Haku’s deadpan reluctance, creating a dynamic that feels both humorous and engaging. While the pacing leans slow in quieter moments, the layered plot and well-crafted dialogue earn praise from fans of the genre. Available on PS4 and Switch, it caters to those who enjoy intricate stories and character-focused role-playing without combat-heavy mechanics.

Storyline

It was a trivial matter that started it. Haku is living a busy life in the imperial capital of the great nation Yamato. Peaceful times seemed like they would last forever. However… Among the reliable friends that surrounded him, one sensed something strange. With clear wisdom and a discerning eye, and bold and delicate reasoning and judgment, a “good woman” who possesses the qualities of a “great” detective speaks. If someone in the east is suffering, she will be there to lend a hand. If someone in the west is troubled, she will save them. A chivalrous thief is sensitive to the signs of those in need. —It is from here that the curtains rise on the great Nosuri theater. It is she who will bring to light the true identity of the great evil that undermines the imperial capital. Haku: “What, I gotta get involved in all that?!”