The Case of the City Botucaiba

About

The Case of the City Botucaiba is a mystery-driven visual novel set on the Sega Saturn. You play Renne Bras, a detective with a knack for solving high-profile cases, who gets pulled into a new investigation after receiving an unexpected invitation from an old contact. The story unfolds through dialogue, document reviews, and environmental exploration as you piece together why Botucaíba, a fictional Brazilian city, holds secrets worth figuring out. The narrative balances procedural detective work with personal stakes, as Renne’s past relationships and professional reputation influence how clues connect. Developed for a game jam centered on urban sustainability, the title weaves real-world themes of city planning and social tension into its plot. While short and straightforward, its strength lies in atmosphere and layered character interactions. The Sega Saturn port adds a nostalgic charm, though the game’s true appeal is its quiet focus on how personal and civic mysteries often intersect. Player choices shape dialogue but rarely alter outcomes, making it a contemplative experience over a single evening.

Storyline

You are Renne Bras, an ordinary detective. You entered the business seven years ago, just after the end of your longest relationship. You became famous for solving the case of kidnappings in the capital. Months have passed since the case of the Lighthouse of São Bento do Oeste. Since then you have become an active detective in the South Minas region. Everything changed when days ago you received an e-mail from Julia. Hi Rene, How long <3 It's me, Julia, sending this email to invite you on a trip. It's been months since we last saw each other and so I wanted to invite you to spend the vacation together. In case you don't know, I have now become an editor at Sergipe Magazine, a famous political magazine in the country, and during the school vacations at the end of the year, I decided that I wanted to travel to the city of Botucaíba, in the interior of São Paulo. You may be wondering why a teacher from São Bento do Oeste would want to spend her vacation in a city in the interior of São Paulo. I want to spend my vacation in a town in the countryside of São Paulo. To know the answer comes to me personally hahaha. I hope this e-mail finds you well! Yours truly, - Julia