Murder on the Marine Express

Murder on the Marine Express is a visual novel and the first entry in The Mysteries of Ranko Togawa series. The elite St. Joachim Academy has booked the maiden voyage of the Marine Express, a submarine train gliding along the ocean floor from California to Japan. What promises to be a relaxing trip with stunning underwater views and marine biology lessons quickly turns into a nightmare when a beloved teacher is found dead in his room.

Ranko Togawa, a grumpy but responsible student, takes it upon herself to investigate, aided by her friend Astrid. Their goal is to clear the name of the prime suspect, but the case grows increasingly complex as more victims appear. The threat of a serial killer becomes real, and chaos threatens to overwhelm the train. Ranko must race against time to uncover the truth and stop the murderer, though the answers may not be what she hopes for.

Dive into the secrets of the Marine Express and identify the culprit in this tale filled with drama, surprises, and plenty of humor. The game features a classic locked-room mystery in the style of popular detective fiction, presented across five chapters that offer three to four hours of reading. Retro pixel art evokes the feel of old text adventure games, while a large cast of charismatic characters engages in humorous dialogue. Side conversations on Ranko's phone provide additional insight into the train's situation and the students of St. Joachim. The text is available in English, French, Spanish, and Japanese.