The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother — first console and PC game announced for early 2027

# Announcement overview KOEI TECMO Europe and developer Gust, with TOHO Co., Ltd., announced The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother — the franchise's first console and PC game. It's an original adventure built around investigation and is slated for release in early 2027 on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam. The project involves Hyuganatsu, the author of the original series, contributing new story elements and characters.

# Story and setting Maomao, the apothecary turned rear palace worker, investigates two linked chains of incidents called the Five Mysteries and the Five Curses. Those events spread through the rear palace, the pleasure district and the capital's streets, driven by rumours and conspiracies that generate growing chaos. During the investigation Maomao meets a masked man claiming to be the "imperial younger brother," a figure whose identity and motives create political risk for the court.

# Core gameplay systems The game places investigation at the center of the experience. Key systems described by the announcement include:

• Exploration and evidence gathering: players explore palace rooms, city locations and areas outside the capital to collect clues and apothecary ingredients. Interviews with witnesses are a distinct activity.
• Medicine crafting: gathered ingredients can be combined to make medicines. Those concoctions serve practical uses in the investigation and can also help Maomao assist companions.

# Characters and new additions The game keeps familiar franchise figures, notably Maomao and Jinshi, the influential rear palace eunuch. It also introduces new characters, including Guanyu, a travelling actor gaining a reputation across the capital. The masked man claiming to be the imperial younger brother is central to the new mystery and the political stakes of Maomao's investigation.

# Presentation and language The announced build will feature Japanese voice acting alongside English text. The game's plot is original to the adaptation rather than a direct retelling of existing storylines.

# What this means for players and fans

# Release window and platforms Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam. No exact date, pricing or edition details were announced in the initial reveal.