The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother is a story-driven mystery adventure game that brings the world of the acclaimed series into an original interactive investigation. Players step into the role of Maomao, the sharp-minded apothecary whose knowledge of herbs, poisons, medicine, and human behavior makes her uniquely suited to uncover secrets hidden behind the elegant walls of the imperial court.Set across the rear palace, the pleasure district, and the bustling streets of the capital, the game follows Maomao as strange incidents begin to disturb the empire. Rumors spread quickly, unexplained phenomena create fear, and a mysterious masked figure claiming to be the emperor’s younger brother becomes entangled in a growing conspiracy. To expose the truth, Maomao must investigate the Five Mysteries and the Five Curses before the secrets surrounding the false imperial brother threaten the stability of the entire court.Explore and Gather EvidenceThe adventure begins with exploration. Players can travel through detailed locations inspired by the series, including the rear palace, city streets, private residences, and areas outside the capital. Every environment may contain valuable information, unusual ingredients, suspicious objects, or witnesses who know more than they are willing to reveal.Investigation is not limited to simply finding glowing objects or following a marked path. Players must pay attention to their surroundings, collect clues, compare testimony, and identify details that do not fit. A conversation with a palace servant may reveal a contradiction. An overlooked item may point toward a hidden motive. A medicine request may lead Maomao to a person directly connected to the case.The more thoroughly players explore, the more evidence they can collect. This information becomes essential later, especially when suspects deny involvement or attempt to challenge Maomao’s conclusions.Craft Medicine and Solve ProblemsMedicine-making is one of the game’s central systems. As an experienced apothecary, Maomao can gather herbs, plants, and other ingredients to create remedies that support her investigations. Some medicines may help an ill character, while others may reveal the effects of a poison, confirm a suspicion, or earn the trust of someone unwilling to speak.Ingredients can be found in different areas, and their quality and variety can influence the crafting process. Players may need to carefully select materials and complete medicine-making activities to produce effective remedies. For those who prefer to focus on the narrative, an automated crafting option also helps make the process more accessible.These crafted medicines are more than simple recovery items. They are tools for investigation. A correctly prepared remedy can open new dialogue options, reveal hidden evidence, or help Maomao progress when ordinary questioning is not enough.Build Theories Through DeductionAfter gathering enough evidence, players enter the deduction phase. Here, Maomao reviews the clues stored in her notebook, organizes key information, and forms theories about what truly happened. This is where the game transforms exploration and resource collection into a full mystery-solving experience.Players must select the right evidence, connect related facts, and present convincing arguments during confrontations. Making the wrong claim can reduce trust and make witnesses less willing to cooperate. Repeated mistakes may even lead an investigation into a dead end, so paying close attention to dialogue and collected evidence is important.The deduction system reflects Maomao’s greatest strength: her ability to notice what others ignore. A strange symptom, an unusual scent, a missing ingredient, or an inconsistent statement can all become the key to solving a larger mystery.A New Imperial ConspiracyThe Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother offers a brand-new story created for the game, allowing both longtime fans and newcomers to experience an original mystery in the series’ imperial setting. Familiar characters, including Jinshi, return alongside new faces connected to the unfolding incidents.With its blend of exploration, witness interviews, herb gathering, medicine crafting, and logical deduction, the game captures the appeal of The Apothecary Diaries: elegant court drama, dangerous secrets, clever investigations, and Maomao’s unmistakable curiosity. Every clue matters, every remedy may have a hidden purpose, and every answer brings players closer to the truth behind the false imperial brother.The game is planned for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam in early 2027.