Root Film guide: how to solve Riho Part 1

So far in Root Film, we’ve got to the bottom of three cases as Yagumo and friends, but that’s not all there is to Root Film. Nope, you’ve also got Riho’s story to follow — and before you can polish off Yagumo’s narrative you’ll need to complete both parts of it.

So now seems like as good a time as any to take care of that, doesn’t it? Follow our Root Film guide and you’ll be cracking yet more cases in no time. If you need some help with the earlier parts, check out the main guide page or jump straight to the walkthroughs for Yagumo Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

Let’s get going!

Lake Shinji

The initial scenes will unfold by themselves and you’ll be taken to the city map. You can stop by Lake Shinji again for Riho to take a photo for her blog, but it’s not essential.

Miho Shrine

Head to the shrine in Mihonoseki to meet up with Riho’s friend Mie. Examine the shrine a couple of times to get some background information, then chat with both Manabe and Mie. Then leave the area.

MihoKan

Go to the inn and check in. Nothing else to do here for now, so head on out to continue your tour with Mie. Learning about the history of Shimane is a big part of Root Film, so drink it all in!

Matsue Castle

Mie will get a phone call from her father and make dinner arrangements for everyone.

Restaurant Bear

Note that the dialogue refers to this as “Restaurant Pair”, but the map shows it as “Restaurant Bear”. When you get here, Riho, Manabe and Mie will sit down, and you’ll see a girl sitting in the background. Take a look at her, then speak with Manabe. Mie’s father will show up during your conversation, so speak with him when he arrives.

Once he’s seated, speak with Manabe and Mie until they have nothing else to say, then speak with Kosaku until he has to take a phone call. This will conclude the prologue.

Nakaumi Pier

After a series of unfortunate events, head to Nakaumi Pier to examine the crime scene. Examine the car, then speak with the kimono-clad lady, who will depart after your conversation. Finally, speak with the detective in the foreground a couple of times. On your second conversation, you’ll notice that Riho has the same Synaesthesia ability that Yagumo does. Memorise the phrase “The car sank into the late at 9.30pm”.

Restaurant Bear

Stop by here and grill the waiter for information. You’ll find out who Ayane, the pink-haired girl from the previous evening, was waiting for. This seems like a clue! Riho will also get a new nickname. This seems less like a clue.

MihoKan

Get Manabe to replay the footage from the previous evening’s dinner date. Memorise the phrase about the non-alcoholic drink at the restaurant.

Fumonin

Head here to witness a scene between several members of the Kotoshiro family, including Ayane. Speak with Ayane and memorise the phrase about Seiji becoming the next family head. Speak with her once more, then speak with Kazuya. You’ll then leave the area automatically.

Kotoshiro Residence

You’ll meet up with Inspector Manba, who will help you get inside. When you’re in the reception room with Manba and Ayane, speak with Manba and memorise the phrase about there being no alcohol in the victim’s bloodstream. Speak with Ayane until she starts checking her watch, then speak with Manba again. Shenanigans will occur and conclude the chapter.

Lake Shinji

Stop by here for an optional but entertaining scene in which Root Film’s resident perv gets what he deserves.

Fumonin

Kazuya is here. Speak with him and memorise the phrase about no-one passing through the corridor other than Ayane. Speak with him one more time and memorise the phrase about Seiji being out of the estate when the first death occurred. After that, leave the area and watch the scenes.

Nakaumi Pier

Stop by here and check how Mie’s doing. The police have cleaned up, so there’s nothing more to do here for now.

Kotoshiro Residence

You can check the hallway, but you’ll find police officers blocking your path. Instead, head to the reception room where Ayane and Ryoko are waiting. Speak with them both until they have nothing else to say, then leave the house.

Restaurant Bear

Speak with the waiter and memorise the phrase about the ingredients of the cocktail.

Kotoshiro Residence

This time, head for the hallway and Inspector Manba will be there. He’ll let you into the crime scene to have a poke around. Examine the shrines in the background, then the collapsed door. Memorise the phrase about the burned tatami mats. Examine the crossbow and memorise the phrase about Seiji buying it a while back. Examine it twice more for an additional clue. Then examine the goldfish bowl until Riho remembers something interesting. Memorise the phrase about there being water in the bowl.

Time to solve this!

Commence pursuit! Ayane’s the target of Riho’s interrogation this time around — purely as a hypothetical exercise, you understand. The correct responses to get her to cough up the truth are:

• “There are faint burn marks on the tatami mat.”
• “When the incident happened, no-one walked through the corridor after Ayane passed through.”
• “There’s a bit of water in the goldfish tank.”

And the truth is uncovered once again! Go Riho!

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Check out our guides to Yagumo Part 1, Yagumo Part 2 and Yagumo Part 3 in Root Film. Or go back to the Root Film guide main page. And if you’re yet to join Root Film’s fun and games in Shimane, don’t forget we’ve still got lovely limited editions available for you to enjoy — order one here.

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