The Silver Case is Being Remastered for PC, Set for Worldwide Release

the silver case 05-06-16-(8)

Grasshopper Manufacture has announced that The Silver Case will get its very first international release in the form of a remake for PC. The news was confirmed to Niche Gamer at this year’s PAX East.

The groundwork for this new remake was started back in 2008, when Grasshopper Manufacture announced a new version of the game for the Nintendo DS. The reasoning behind the game’s PC-only release was to ensure the largest-possible audience of potential players.

Playism was the initiator in getting the remake greenlit with game creator Goichi Suda. The new remake will be released on PC, via Steam and Playism’s own store. It will be joint-developed within Unity 5, and the team is working to retain as much of the original 2D artwork, with some of the 3D sequences being redone.

The Silver Case, released back in 1999 for the original PlayStation, was an adventure game that was described as being sometimes too difficult for native Japanese users. Playism is working with Grasshopper Manufacture to ensure the translation is as close to the source as possible.

Some puzzles and sequences have to be modified to make them playable in English, like the encryption sequence that relied on how Japanese is presented in computer systems.

When asked whether or not Grasshopper Manufacture would develop a game in the future similar in tone and style to The Silver Case, Suda-san said it would be “very exciting” to work on a game similar in style, but with a more modest team.

If The Silver Case does well in sales, Grasshopper Manufacture will consider a remake of the game’s mobile sequel, The Silver Case: Ward 25, and furthermore, if it sells really well – they’ll consider remaking Flower, Sun, and Rain.

Grasshopper Manufacture and Playism are targeting a fall 2016 release date for the game’s remake.

You can find the full press release for the game, below:

 


Synopsis

1999: Japan, the “24 Wards”.

A string of serial murders is terrorizing the nation.

All clues that the detectives have uncovered so far, point to one well known perpetrator, Kamui Uehara, the deranged criminal at the center of the infamous “The Silver Case” murders many years prior. But Kamui Uehara is no longer around…

With the string of mysteries, pointing to an impossible suspect, just what is really going on?

Gameplay

Combining elements of adventure games and visual novels to create a new and unique experience, The Silver Case invites the player to solve puzzles and experience the story in first-person perspective as a member of the Public Safety Department’s “Republic” Special Forces unit.

Features

  • Unconventional and unexpected storylines
  • Characters with vivid personalities
  • Two scenarios:
    • Transmitter: the detectives hunt down the truth
    • Placebo: a freelance writer explores the story
  • Complete graphic enhancement
  • The unique Film Window System
  • In English for the first time ever

Film Window System

The Silver Case will be bringing back the Film Window, the system developed by SUDA51 to bring a more dramatic display of text & imagery to players of adventure games.

By displaying game graphics and text in moveable windows, the location of on-screen elements can be adjusted for dramatic purposes and keep the player interested.

—PlayStation 1

the silver case 05-06-16-(1)

—PC Remaster (work-in-progress)

the silver case 05-06-16-(3)

Main Characters

the silver case 05-06-16-(6)

Testugoro Kusabi

Detective previously assigned to the original “Silver Case”. Currently working as a special agent for Heinous Crimes Unit 2.

the silver case 05-06-16-(5)

Sumio Kodai

Detective and current partner to Kusabi.

the silver case 05-06-16-(4)

Kamui Uehara

Criminal responsible for the original “Silver Case” murders. Recently escaped from a psychiatric hospital.

the silver case 05-06-16-(7)

Daigo Natsume

Detective that was previously involved in the original “Silver Case”. Now leads the Public Safety Department’s Special Forces unit, “Republic”.

the silver case 05-06-16-(2)

Chizuru Hachisuka

Daughter of the mayor of the 24 Wards. Works in the Heinous Crimes Unit with Kusabi and Kodai.

Improved Graphics

The Silver Case features not only an all-new English localization, but also an entirely redone build in a new engine with enhanced graphics!

the silver case 05-06-16-(3)

—PlayStation 1

the silver case 05-06-16-(2)

—PC Remaster (work-in-progress, finalized graphics may differ)

Various Technical Specs

  • Original Staff:
    • Director: Goichi “Suda 51” Suda
    • Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture
  • PC Version Staff:
    • Producer: Goichi “Suda 51” Suda
    • Active Gaming Media
    • Playism
  • Release Date: Fall 2016 (estimated)
  • Platform: PC
  • Languages: Japanese, English
  • Supported Peripherals: Gamepad, Keyboard and Mouse

A Special Message from Goichi “Suda 51” Suda

I am happy to announce that the long-awaited Silver Case HD remastered version will finally be available as promised.

This title was originally released in 1999, but was never released outside of Japan until today.

The English version will also be available, another promise made to you and will be on Steam, Playism, and other platforms.

Silver Case is returning in Fall 2016.

In the year 2016, please give support for Let It Die and Silver Case.

—SUDA51

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Owner and Publisher at Niche Gamer and Nicchiban. Outlaw fighting for a better game industry.


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