The Apothecary Diaries is entering a new chapter as the franchise is officially adapted into its first console game. Titled The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother, the game puts Maomao on a brand-new case featuring Jinshi and many new characters. It is planned for release in early 2027 on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam.
The Apothecary Diaries’ First Console Game
The False Imperial Brother is the first console game project in The Apothecary Diaries franchise, developed by Koei Tecmo and Gust. Notably, the game doesn’t retell a story already seen in the anime or light novels but builds a completely new story.
Original author Natsu Hyuuga (Hyuganatsu) is also involved in creating the new story, helping the game keep the series’ familiar blend of mystery and medicine.
Maomao Solves Cases With Jinshi Again
Maomao remains at the center of the game. She has to investigate a series of strange phenomena known as the Five Great Mysteries and the Five Great Curses, which appear in the inner palace, the entertainment district and the streets of the capital.
Things get complicated when Maomao meets a masked man calling himself the “Imperial Brother.” While rumors about this mysterious figure spread, Jinshi insists that the man isn’t him. From there, Maomao has to follow every clue to uncover the true identity of the “Imperial Brother” and the secret behind the strange phenomena.
Gameplay Focused on Investigation and Deduction
Beyond following the story, players directly control Maomao to explore crime scenes, gather evidence and question witnesses.
The clues you collect then feed into the deduction process. Players have to pick the right information, combine evidence and build arguments to solve the case step by step.
Besides solving cases, Maomao can also gather herbs and ingredients and use them to prepare medicines. This is an important part of the gameplay rather than just a side element of the story.
When Does The Apothecary Diaries Game Release?
The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother is currently in development and planned for release in early 2027 on:
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 5
PC via Steam
According to Koei Tecmo, the game features Japanese voice acting and English subtitles.
Notably, this is just one of several new projects for The Apothecary Diaries. Anime Season 3 has also been confirmed to return on October 2, 2026, while the franchise’s film is scheduled to open in Japan in December 2026.