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Is that not one of the longest stretches any anime-based game has ever gone before showing us its opening theme? It's got to be, right? Chapter 0 lasted a good three hours, and the Prologue was another 40 minutes of dialogue. Pretty impressive stuff, Master Detective Archives: Rain Code!
But now, at last, the game begins in earnest. Chapter 1: The Nail Man Killings is considerably deeper than the Massacre on the Amaterasu Express, but worry not - we won't leave you hanging. Below is our overview of the first portion, followed by a more in-depth look at the Mystery Labyrinth.
Nail Man Killings, Part One: Discoveries
Following the introductory scenes, you're in charge of Yuma and given the first chance to search the room here. Take full advantage of that, as there are several interactive objects worth Detective Points. Never forget just how much the game will reward players over time for poking their (Koko)head around every corner - even looking at the chief's bed gets you the standard ten points.
Have Yuma wash his face at the kitchen sink when you're ready to move on. You'll soon be given the first opportunity to explore Kamasaki Ward, albeit in a limited fashion. Shinigami will ensure you snag your first Memory Shard, but we'll want to keep an eye out for these in the future. Plus, we get 25 Detective Points for these - sometimes even more. Nice.
Make for Underground Sector and get into the habit of chatting with every NPC who has a text bubble over their heads for easy points (and occasionally more). You can have Yuma eat so🍨me meat buns at the food stall near the hotel, though surprisingly, no DP is rewarded for doing so.
Chat with the hotel employee near the entrance. You'll find Vivia nearby, resting beneath a piano. Answer his question however you like. (We said the girl likes the protagonist.) Vivia suggests checking the restaurant for the others; it's right past him in the next room. Desuhiko and Fubuki are here.
On your way out, Vivia will request you find a book for him. This is the game's tutorial on requests, AKA side quests. We have a complete guide to these in progress (include link here), so we won't stuff up the chapter walkthroughs with all their intricacies here. Regardless, do be sure to fulfill Vivia's request.
Shinigami will soon yank Yuma's quite literal chain to a new part of the Ward, and it's time to ask around. You'll also learn about the game's fast travel system - the bus. In true Rain Code fashion, it's best to chat with everyone you can find, sta🍌rting with the lady near the starting point who di𒉰scusses an art gallery.
The 'Spirited Away' request is also in this area. You can always consult your mini-map for the green spots with exclamation marks denoting requests, so we'll refrain from mentioning every last one you'll find in the future.
Nail Man Killings, Part Two: Teaming Up With Halara
Move ahead far enough in this area and Shinigami will direct you to the next screen, where the clocktower can be found. After the scene, we'll return to Ginma Ward. Seek out the NPCs marked with yellow exclamation marks on the mini-map to continue the story.
Return to the clocktower, and when you regain control, be sure to thoroughly investigate everything in this ghastly room, including the window. When all is said and done, you'll get two Solution Keys out of this scene. You'll get a third Solution Key via the door, and then a couple more from the kid outside. Watch the scenes, and you'll soon be able to find more requests throughout Kamasaki Ward. We're headed back to the sub now, though.
We got a little confused our first time going back to the sub, so just in case this happens to you, here's the lowdown. Kamasaki Ward -> Underground Sector -> look around until you find the staircase descending to River Bank.
Exiting the area will transport you directly to the church. Thoroughly chat with all four, and then ask all four questions provided to you afterward to continue on. Leave the church via a staircase to your left. This sets up another investigation scene, at the club where the first murder was committed. Examine everything, speak with 'Hellara' as Shinigami calls her, and we're onward and upward!
From your current location, look for the bridge leading to Ginma District and cross it to the area. Descend the staircase and hang a quick left. Investigate the objective marker mansion and witness some nice kicking prowess. Make sure you're examining every object in these places, by the way, since they're limited-time locales.
The art gallery is essentially more of the same. It's a play-by-play, look-at-everything, much like most investigation scenes - good fun, but not worth obsessing over in a guide like ours. There is, however, an altercation this time. A man will demand to know who Yuma is, and you'll have the choice of answering you're a 'Peacekeeper' or a 'Detective'. Selecting 'Detective' appears to provide a more optimal result.
Mystery Labyrinth Part One: Four Trees
We enter our second Mystery Labyrinth with a surprise guest in tow - unfortunately, Halara can't quite help us blitz the dungeon. (Then again, that wouldn't be much of a gameplay segment if we could.) Now we'll start with Tree Four, as advised. Let's get to work, Master!
Spot Selection #1
"Where did the culprit flee from?"
- Scan the shutters on the window.
Continuous Attack #1
You'll need to dodge incorrect answers by pressing and holding the Y button, but the timing is pretty unforgiving for this, at least in our anecdotal opinions on the matter. Thankfully, you only need to endure a couple of seconds of Yuma saying he "can't dodge it!" before getting another crack at it.
- "What did the culprit use to escape from the high location?" Answer: Burnt remains of a rope.
- "What traces did using that rope leave behind?" Answer: Marks on two dolls under window.
- "What were the rope's burnt remains originally?" For this one, you need to press the corresponding button for the right answer. Answer: Rope ladder.
Reasoning Death Match #1
- Have [Clocktower] Afraid of heights equipped. Slash "And escaped via the rope ladder."
We chose the second locked room next. If you'd like to follow our guide as cleanly as possible, do the same - but if you have a preference toward a different order, just come back to this next part whenever you're ready.
Spot Selection #2
"Where did the culprit flee from?"
- Check the door.
Question
"Because of the culp🐼rit, what happened to the key?🔥"
- Thrown in.
Mystery Labyrinth, Part Two: Set Up For The Fall
Shinigami Puzzle #1
- S, T, R, I, N, and G to spell 'String'.
Reasoning Death Match #2
- Have [Mansion] Bloodstains on Corpse equipped. Slash "The corpse shows no signs it was ever moved."
Continuous Attack #2
- "What position was the corpse in before it was moved?" Answer: "Upper body sitting up."
- "What was used to sit the body upright?" Answer: "A thin string."
- "Why was the corpse lying on its back at the time of discovery?" Answer: "The string was retrieved."
Recreate the Locked Room
- Scan the following interactive portions of the crime scene in the order as described. Vent; Doll; Corpse (select 'Under the neck'); Vent; Door (select 'The vent gap').
We then selected the first locked room.
Spot Selection #3
"Where did the culprit flee from?"
- Check the vent.
Reasoning Death Match #3
- Have [Secret Club] Nails Beneath Vent equipped. Slash "There's no foothold to reach it."
Question
- "Was the key thrown in by the culprit?" Answer: No.
Recreate the Locked Room
- Scan the following interactive portions of the crime scene in the order as described. Painting (select 'Nail the doll to the painting'); Wall with Window; Door; Awning Window (select 'Nailed to the painting with the doll' and then 'Knocked the painting toward the room').
Mystery Labyrinth, Part Two: Identifying The Nail Man
Culprit Selection
- Choose the priest.
Reasoning Death Match #4
- Have [Persons with Access to Incinerator] equipped. Slash "The nail man is the worshiper!"
- Have [Thin Person] equipped. Slash "The servant was able to commit the crimes!"
- Have [Fishing Line Locked-Room] equipped. Slash "The nun was absolutely able to commit the crimes!"
Reasoning Death Match #5
- Have [Suspicious Footprints] equipped. Slash "Of course there's no evidence."
Shinigami Puzzle #2
- Choose the third room.
- D, E, A, T, and H to spell 'Death'.
Question
"Why was the cause of death made to look like strangulation?" Answer: The work of a copycat.
Culprit Selection
- Choose the worshipper.
Reasoning Death Match #6
- Have [Non-Public Information] equipped and slash "Anyone could have done it."
God Shinigami Rush
Again, a massive Mystery Labyrinth climaxes with everyone's favorite Death God transforming into a crown-bearing kaiju. Let's run!
"You didn't even check the crime scenes back then!"
Correct Response: Halara's Forte
"What you saw is only what ♍I saw the moment the corpse was discovered!"
Correct Response: Paint on floor
Phew. Two killers in one chapter. Nice twist, Spike Chunsoft. Rea💛d on with the link below to enter the Deduc✤tion Denouement stage and wrap things up with a bow!