Koei Tecmo has dated The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother for March 18th 2027 on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam.
The Japanese publisher announced the date on X (formerly Twitter) alongside a new trailer featuring Maomao in cat form. According to Koei Tecmo America's post, players can use the cat to "gather evidence from a non-human perspective" and lean on Jinshi's position at court to get testimony that Maomao can't reach on her own.
A new story from the series author
The False Imperial Brother is billed as the first console game adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries anime. It tells a new story conceptualised by series author Hyuganatsu. Players follow Maomao, an apothecary from the pleasure district who works as a maidservant in the rear palace, as she investigates two sets of strange incidents known as the 'Five Mysteries' and the 'Five Curses'.
The first set plays out in the rear palace, with reports of a faceless eunuch and a storehouse that wails every night. The second hits the capital after the Shi clan's rebellion, where a masked man calling himself the 'imperial younger brother' becomes the main suspect. Jinshi insists he isn't the man behind the mask. The game's loop, according to the official site, runs through investigating incidents, gathering evidence, presenting a theory and solving the mystery.
Editions and pre-order bonuses
Physical copies are planned for Switch 2 and PS5, though the Switch 2 version is sold only as a Game-Key Card. The Switch and Steam versions are download only. Koei Tecmo also said the Switch and Switch 2 releases are separate products, with no save transfer and no upgrade path between them.
A Digital Deluxe Edition adds a formal costume pack for Maomao and Jinshi, a fantasy costume pack for Maomao and a feline accessory pack. Digital pre-orders get an extra accessory pack, while an early purchase bonus is available to anyone who buys or redeems the game by March 31st 2027.
