Visual novel aficionados can now check out a giant sneak-peek of Murder Detective Jack the Ripper!

Nippon Ichi Software has released the first official trailer of the interactive story, along with loads of details. In particular, fans can take a good look at the game’s main cast, and even get a first-look at its decision system.

Check the debut trailer below, along with more details (courtesy of Gematsu)

■ Key Visual

■ Story

While investigating a string of serial murders, private detective Arthur Hewitt becomes able to see a phantom that calls himself Jack the Ripper after a strong shock from discovering a dead body. Having acquired this strange partner, numerous cases occur with Arthur at the center, which eventually focus on the darkness that moves within London.

Will you prove your justice through intellectual resolution?

Or will your justice be left to the impulsive high of homicide that forcibly through you?

Is the choice you make truly correct? Think carefully as not to be haunted by regret.

Good or evil, the choice is yours—.

■ Characters

Arthur Hewitt (voiced by Yuusuke Hirooka)

A young man who established the Hewitt Detective Agency in London’s urban district as a detective for about two years. He feels joy in helping others, and helps out the townspeople while continuing his detective work. Since he also receives small cases like finding lost items and pets, he is quite popular among London’s residents.

Arthur Hewitt (Murderer Version) (voiced by Yuusuke Hirooka)

When the player’s choices lead to the “Murderer Route,” Arthur will not investigate criminals and expose their crimes, he rather chooses to judge and kill them with his own hands. On the surface, he looks like an ordinary detective. But beneath the surface, he is a murderer. Arthur will pursue the evil that escaped the eyes of the law through the use of money and power, and form a plan to kill them with a knife. His method of killing is similar to that of the “Jack the Ripper” that once shook London, but is Arthur’s body being manipulated? Or could it be that…

Self-Proclaimed Jack the Ripper (voiced by Kiyohiro Yamaguchi)

A mysterious man who suddenly appears before Arthur. Is he a ghost? A delusion born from Arthur’s head? Arthur is the only one able to see and hear him. He calls himself a murderer, has pleasure-seeking laughter, and enjoys teasing Arthur. But Jack the Ripper was definitely executed two years ago…

Charlotte Peacely (voiced by Aiko Yamasaki)

A police officer who works for the London city police. She has an extremely straightforward personality, does things fair and square, and uses all of her power to uphold her duties as a police officer. With a personality that does not overlook anyone who commits a crime, she has no mercy when it comes to criminals and evil-doers.

Harry Brown (voiced by Yuuki Fujino)

A police officer who works for the London city police. He is mainly in charge of criminal cases. As Charlotte’s senior policeman, they have often worked as partners… but Harry has an insincere and halfhearted attitude, which often does not go well with Charlotte’s overly serious and methodical personality.

Rory Godspeed (voiced by Mitsuki Natsukawa)

The deputy leader of the Godspeed Union Family mafia based in London. A big shot in the area where Arthur opened the Hewitt Detective Agency, she is always taking care of something or other.

Walter Raichel (voiced by Kouji Mikogami)

Arthur’s attending physician at a clinic in London. Not only knowledgeable in surgery and internal medicine, he is also an expert in psychiatry through his own research an is quite skilled in medical care. He is also the medical examiner called upon by the London city police and London police headquarters.

Sophie Raichel (voiced by Yuki Yawakami)

The only daughter of Dr. Walter Raichel, who runs a clinic in London. In addition to being young but intelligent, cheerful, and the one who does the housework, she also does all the work outside of physical labor, including being the medical receptionist and assisting treatment.

■ Story Branching System

Murder Detective: Jack the Ripper is a novel-style adventure game, where the choices you make affects the story of what happens next in a big way. Will you be the intellectual detective or the impulsive murderer? Depending on the side you choose, the story will branch into a “Detective Route” or “Murderer Route.” You can choose the route that is most interesting to you, or you can think from the perspective of, “What would I do if it were me?”

—The choice of whether murder is good or evil depending on the circumstances. If you are attacked by a murderer and kill him out of legitimate self-defense, then is that evil…?

—Depending on your choice, a cut-in showing the detective or murderer sides will appear.

—Through the Scenario Tree, you can revisit your favorite scenes from each chapter by re-reading the scenario.

Detective Route

The never impulsive, always rational, and logical choices Detective Route. Rather than consider the feelings of a single individual, this Arthur considers the whole picture, and sometimes kills his own feelings.

—Arthur is absorbed in documents. Through calm consideration, he is determined to find a clue that leads to the end of this investigation.

—A scene in which you choose to respond that murder is evil. This Arthur believes that it is inexusable to take the life of another person for any reason at all.

Murderer Route

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. And a kill for a kill—. If it is to protect the things that are important to him, this Arthur is willing to do whatever it takes. This is the Murderer Route. The type of route where action comes before thought.

—By entering the Murderer Route, Arthur’s actions become impulsive. His happiness holding a knife is just like that of a murderer.

—A scene in which you choose to respond that whether murder is evil depends on the circumstances. Unlike the Detective Route, this Arthur will not be silenced and killed in situation where he is about to die. He should take the highest means of resistance.

■ Story Introduction – Prologue: “Tragic Incubation”

The protagonist Arthur Hewitt was dealt a serious heart injury in the rebellion that occurred during the public execution of Jack the Ripper. Through a heart transplant operation that is on the leading edge of medical care, Arthur had somehow survived and carried on his work as a private detective in London.

During that time, he receives a request from Godspeed Union Family deputy leader Rory to investigate a series of murders. During his investigation, he comes upon a gruesome murder scene.

Arthur, who continues his investigation despite his shock, hears a voice in his head. Arthur, who thinks he is hearing things, goes to speak with Charlotte of the London city police.

“Why are you sneering?”

Arthur, who was greeted unexpectedly, was equally perplexed by his own sneering, and quickly fled the scene…

Murder Detective Jack The Ripper will be launching for Nintendo Switch on 25 April 2019 in Japan. There are currently no plans to localize the game for a western release.