The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is a single-player mystery adventure game built around live-action video sequences and deduction mechanics. Players step into the role of Haruka Kagami, an aspiring mystery novelist who becomes entangled in a series of murders tied to the Shijima family across three distinct eras.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on four separate murder cases spread across 1922, 1972, and 2022. Each case unfolds through three distinct phases that guide the player from observation to resolution. In the Incident phase, viewers watch the full sequence of events captured in high-quality live-action footage. Every key detail required for later deduction appears within these videos, encouraging careful attention to dialogue, actions, and visual clues.
The Reasoning phase shifts focus to analysis. Players gather clues and mysteries identified during the Incident phase and combine them into hypotheses within a dedicated cognitive space. Multiple hypotheses can be formed, though not all prove accurate, and some paths may lead to incorrect conclusions. This stage emphasizes logical connections rather than trial-and-error guessing.
The Solution phase requires players to select the correct hypothesis and confront the suspected killer. When the culprit challenges the presented evidence, players must respond with precise reasoning drawn from the earlier phases. The structure repeats across each case while maintaining a continuous narrative thread that links the century-spanning events.
Game Modes
The game operates as a single cohesive single-player experience with no separate multiplayer or competitive modes. All content revolves around the four murder cases presented in chronological order. Players progress linearly through the Incident, Reasoning, and Solution phases for each case, with no branching campaigns or alternate play styles available. The design keeps the focus on sequential deduction and story progression rather than varied gameplay formats.
Story and Setting
The narrative follows the Shijima family's history of inexplicable deaths, connected by recurring symbols such as the red camellia and the Fruit of Youth. Haruka Kagami arrives at the family estate and takes on the investigation of four murders occurring in different time periods. The live-action presentation blends footage from the 1920s, 1970s, and present day, creating a layered mystery that players unravel by cross-referencing evidence across eras. The story explores themes of inheritance, deception, and the consequences of past actions without introducing extraneous side content.
Is It Worth Playing?
This title suits players who enjoy methodical deduction and cinematic storytelling over fast-paced action or open exploration. The phased structure provides clear guidance while still requiring active hypothesis building and evidence selection. Reception highlights the ambitious scope of the century-long plot and the quality of the live-action sequences, though some note periods of slower pacing and occasional hand-holding during the reasoning steps. The game launched in 2022 as a complete experience with no ongoing seasonal content or major post-release updates. Those drawn to FMV mystery adventures with a strong central protagonist and interconnected cases will find a focused, self-contained package that rewards careful observation and logical thinking.
