The Apothecary Diaries Getting PC and Console Spin-off Game The False Imperial Brother

Publisher Koei Tecmo and developer Gust have announced a new video game spin-off based on the popular anime and manga series, titled The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother. The game puts players into the role of Maomao, a young female alchemist and forensic pathologist who works in the Forbidden Palace attending to the Emperor's concubines while solving dynastic intrigues and court mysteries.

According to publisher press details, the narrative follows Maomao as she investigates the "Five Mysteries and Five Curses," which are two chains of strange phenomena causing chaos across the rear palace, the pleasure district, and the capital streets. During the investigation, she encounters a masked man calling himself the "imperial younger brother," leading her toward a secret that could threaten the imperial court. The story has been conceptualized by manga series author Hyuganatsu, with a look and direction closer to the anime adaptation.

Gameplay is billed as a blend of open-ended clue-gathering, exploration, and dialogue puzzles. Players can explore the Palace and the city beyond, interview individuals, and gather materials for medicines. This loop is followed by a deduction phase where players review information, use Maomao's notebook, make claims, and present gathered evidence.

While initial reports pointed to an early 2027 release window for PC platforms, subsequent regional announcements indicated release plans spanning PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and a successor Nintendo Switch 2 console, with conflicting launch windows reported between early 2026 and early 2027 across various territories and platforms.