Having earned its reputation as an RPG specialist, Square Enix normally focuses on releasing games such as Final Fantasy. However, the Japanese gaming developer decided to take a different approach in its recent project and to focus on creating a mystery game that has nothing in common with Square’s popular titles. The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is almost like participating in an interactive movie. It is a bold move by Square, but it feels like it will be a risk that was taken but which will pay off in the end. The game’s scheduled release date is the 12th of May and players using PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch or Steam will be able to play this upcoming masterpiece.
The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is not the first game of its kind, as similar games have been released in the past. One of the most popular mystery games of all time is Draugen, but if one were to compare the quality of Draugen to the quality of The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story, then Square’s game would easily take the win. The graphics of the game are amazing, the user experience is more than just satisfactory and the story feels like it came out of a bestselling novel.
Investing time and money on a unique title such as The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story was a smart move for Square Enix, as players enjoy games that are a little bit different. For example, a casino player will always enjoy playing Roulette, but if one tries the Mega Fire Blaze Roulette alternative, then they might stick to playing this amazing game instead of playing the standard version. In the case of Square, Final Fantasy titles will always generate millions, but if a developer wants to expand its audience and to attract gamers who enjoy games of different genres, then creating titles such as The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is a step towards the right direction.
What Is so Special about The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story?
Ever since the announcement trailer of The Centennial Case was released, gamers started looking for more information about this new title. Parts of the game feel like you are watching a movie, parts of the game will feel like you are solving a puzzle, and parts of the game will make you feel as if you can control the outcome of the story. Every clue you discover and every decision you make will help you solve a mystery. Finishing the game will require a little bit of brainwork, as establishing a hypothesis will require some thinking on your part.
A Game for Everyone
Square wants this 100-year story game to become a title that every player will get the opportunity to play and because of that, they decided to release The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story for multiple gaming environments. This means that you will be able to play the game regardless if you own a PlayStation, a Nintendo Switch or if you are playing via Steam. The release dates and the plans for Xbox environments have not been announced yet, but there does not seem to be any exclusivity agreement that forbids a later release for Xbox One, Series S, or Series X.