The Goto Family's: The Island Murder Case

About

The Goto Family's The Island Murder Case is a visual novel where you take on a sleuthing role to figure out a crime on a secluded island. As a detective navigating a web of suspects and secrets, your choices shape the investigation through dialogue and clue-gathering. The narrative leans into procedural mystery with a focus on character interactions and branching paths, blending light puzzle elements with dramatic tension. Developer Yusima’s background in real-world detective work informs the game’s grounded approach to investigation and deception. What sets this apart is the developer’s firsthand experience with the unglamorous realities of detective work in Japan. The story reflects a focus on improvisation and misdirection, mirroring Yusima’s evolution from an honest person to a skilled deceiver. While not a visual novel standout in technical polish, its no-frills storytelling and authentic crime-solving mechanics offer a niche appeal for fans of methodical mysteries. The game’s release in 2019 saw modest attention, but its personal touch and unique premise linger for those seeking something off the beaten path.

Storyline

Hello everyone! My name is Yusima, a former Japanese detective. Being a detective in Japan is relatively easy. There is no exam and there are no strict trials you must go through. There is no strict approval process also. Detectives are very much like ordinary people. They don't have any special authority for investigations per say. So for example, when a detective ask someone about something or they ask for a survey or when they are on a stakeout, they may be mistaken as a stalker or suspicious person. This means they might be reported to the police. Since this is the case, Japanese detectives should be quick on their feet and should be able to lie and make good excuses on the spot. I was originally a good person who was very bad at lying, but during my detective work over the past 10 years, I had become a good liar and deceiver. This is a detective adventure game made by someone who is good at deceiving people.