The first home-console game based on The Apothecary Diaries launches March 18, 2027 on PS5, Switch 2, Switch and PC via Steam, Koei Tecmo and developer Gust announced. The title, The Apothecary Diaries: The False Imperial Brother, is a mystery adventure built on an original story by novelist Hyuganatsu.
Maomao, the apothecary from the pleasure district who now works in the rear palace, remains the protagonist. Players can also control Jinshi, and Maomao in cat form, which gathers evidence from a non-human perspective. Jinshi's position at court lets him draw out testimony Maomao cannot reach alone. The trailer shows potion crafting, exploration and interrogations.
Physical versions will be sold in North America and Europe for PS5 and Switch 2; the Switch 2 version ships only as a game-key card, while the Switch and Steam versions are download only. Koei Tecmo says the Switch and Switch 2 releases are separate products, with no save transfer between them. The Digital Deluxe Edition adds costume packs for Maomao and Jinshi and an accessory pack for Maomao the Cat. Anyone who buys the game before March 31, 2027, physically or digitally, gets the Apothecary's Starter Kit and Modest Accessory Pack for free; pre-orders also include the Apothecary's Tasteful Accessory Pack.
In Japan the Standard Edition costs 8,580 yen (about $55) and the Digital Deluxe Edition 10,010 yen (about $64). No European price has been announced yet.
It is the first console adaptation of the series, already a hit anime and manga. The project started as 'Atelier Maomao', given developer Gust's background in Koei Tecmo's alchemy series, as RyzaChat recently showed.
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