Getting the S-Rank in FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol's first case, "The Playground," is not about speed, but about uncovering a hidden narrative the game doesn't point you to. The secret lies in finding three specific pieces of non-obvious evidence and choosing the "Unknown Influence" deduction at the end, a conclusion that is impossible to reach without a perfect investigation. If you've been finishing the case with all the obvious clues only to be met with a frustrating B or A rating, this guide provides the exact, step-by-step solution.
The Four Pillars of an S-Rank
Your final grade in any case is a composite score based on four distinct metrics. Excelling at three isn't enough; you must perfect all four. For Case 1, the requirements are strict, and failure in one category will lock you out of the top score. Think of this as your performance review for the M.E. Protocol program.
- Time Efficiency (Under 15:00): While not the most important factor, you must complete the entire investigation and file your report in under 15 minutes. This is generous if you follow an optimal path, but easily failed if you wander aimlessly.
- Evidence Completeness (12/12): This is the most common point of failure. There are 12 pieces of evidence in total. The game guides you to nine of them, but the final three required for the S-Rank are hidden and require manual searching with the right tools.
- Deduction Accuracy (0 Errors): During the final analysis phase, you must link evidence pairs to form conclusions. Any incorrect link immediately voids the S-Rank. You cannot brute-force the solution; you must understand the connections.
- Hidden Objective Completion: The true test. You must correctly identify the real circumstances of the incident. For Case 1, this means rejecting the obvious "Accidental Fall" conclusion and proving the "Unknown Influence" hypothesis with the hidden evidence you found.
A Perfect, Step-by-Step S-Rank Walkthrough
Follow this route exactly to find all evidence, make the correct deductions, and finish well under the 15-minute time limit. Do not deviate until you have collected all 12 pieces of evidence. The order is optimized to prevent backtracking.
Initial Sweep: The Obvious Clues (First 5 Minutes)
As soon as you load into the memory echo of the playground, begin a counter-clockwise sweep starting from the gate. Your scanner will ping for these nine pieces of evidence automatically. They are designed to lead you toward the initial, incorrect conclusion.
- Torn Jacket Fragment: Snagged on the entrance gate hinge.
- Scuffed Shoe (Left): Lying in the sandbox.
- Dropped Teddy Bear: Located at the bottom of the slide.
- Broken Swing Chain: The right-side swing is on the ground.
- Child's Handprint: On the pole of the merry-go-round.
- Scuff Marks on Ground: Near the base of the climbing frame.
- Half-Eaten Apple: Under the park bench.
- Cracked Glasses: In the grass near the water fountain.
- Faint Footprints: Leading away from the swings towards the slide.
At this point, you have found everything the game explicitly points out. Do not proceed to the analysis phase. This is where most players go wrong. Now, we hunt for the clues that separate the A-Ranks from the S-Ranks.
Infographic map of all 12 evidence locations in The Playground for Case 1.
Deep Scan: Finding the Three Hidden Items (Minutes 5-10)
These three items will not trigger a scanner notification from a distance. You must have the correct tool equipped and be looking at the right spot. This is the core of the puzzle.
- Faded Receipt (Under the Slide): Go back to the slide where you found the teddy bear. Position your camera to look underneath the bottom of the slide itself. You'll see a small, crumpled piece of paper barely visible. Scan it to reveal it's a receipt for the teddy bear, dated the day before the incident. This proves the bear was new.
- Bench Etchings (Back of the Bench): Go to the park bench where you found the apple. Switch to your UV Light tool and examine the back-rest of the bench. A series of crude, child-like drawings are etched into the wood, invisible to the naked eye. They depict a tall, shadowy figure offering a teddy bear to a smaller figure. This is the key to re-contextualizing the entire scene.
- Hidden Data Chip (Inside the Teddy Bear): This is the final and most critical piece of evidence. Go into your evidence menu and select the Dropped Teddy Bear for a detailed 3D examination. Rotate the bear and look closely at the seam on the back of its head. You will get a prompt to "Examine Seam." Do so, and you'll uncover a tiny, non-standard data chip hidden inside. Scanning it reveals encrypted, fragmented audio of an adult voice whispering.
With all 12 pieces of evidence secured, it's time to put the puzzle together.
The Final Deduction: Linking the Evidence (Minutes 10-14)
Open the M.E. Protocol analysis screen. The key here is to ignore the obvious connections that point to a simple fall and instead build the case for the hidden narrative. Make these links in order and without error.
- Link:
Faded Receipt+Dropped Teddy Bear- Conclusion: The bear was a recent gift, establishing it as a significant object in the incident's timeline.
- Link:
Bench Etchings+Hidden Data Chip- Conclusion: The drawings of a stranger offering the bear, combined with a hidden surveillance device, suggest the gift was a lure.
- Link:
Conclusion 2+Faint Footprints- Conclusion: The incident was not a simple accident but a premeditated event involving a third party.
After making these three links, the system will present you with the final case conclusion. You will have two choices. Choosing the correct one is mandatory for the S-Rank.
Accidental Fall(Incorrect)- Unknown Influence (Correct)
Select "Unknown Influence." The system will validate your evidence chain, and if you've made no errors, you will have fulfilled the final requirement. File the report to end the case.
Comic grid showing the steps to link hidden evidence and choose the correct deduction.
Common Mistakes That Lock You into a B-Rank
Many players get stuck in a loop, replaying the case and making the same small errors that prevent a perfect score. Here's a direct comparison of B-Rank habits versus S-Rank requirements.
| Mistake / Category | B-Rank Action (Leads to Failure) | S-Rank Action (Required for Success) |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence | Finding only the 9 obvious clues. | Finding all 12 clues, including the 3 hidden ones. |
| Key Item | Treating the teddy bear as just a dropped toy. | Examining the teddy bear in 3D view to find the hidden data chip. |
| Deduction | Linking the broken swing and scuff marks first. | Building the case around the Bench Etchings and Data Chip. |
| Final Choice | Concluding with "Accidental Fall." | Concluding with "Unknown Influence." |
| Pacing | Rushing the search and starting the analysis too early. | Being methodical; not starting analysis until all 12 items are found. |
Essentially, the game baits you into solving the case as a simple tragedy. The S-Rank demands you act as a true forensic analyst, questioning the initial narrative and digging deeper for the truth the memory echo is trying to hide.
Annotated diagram of the teddy bear clue, showing the hidden data chip's location.
Case 1 S-Rank FAQ
Do I need to finish under a specific time for the S-Rank? Yes, the unofficial cutoff is widely considered to be 15:00. Following the walkthrough in this guide should easily get you there in about 12-14 minutes, even on a first attempt.
Can I get the S-Rank on my first playthrough? It is extremely difficult without a guide. The locations of the hidden items, particularly the data chip inside the teddy bear, are not intuitive. The game is designed for you to return to earlier cases with a better understanding of its mechanics.
What happens if I make a wrong deduction link? An incorrect link will flash red and deduct points from your Deduction Accuracy score. Even one error will automatically disqualify you from receiving an S-Rank for that run. If you make a mistake, it's best to reload your last save rather than completing the case.
Is S-Ranking Case 1 necessary for the game's true ending? Yes. Achieving an S-Rank on all of the game's main cases is a mandatory requirement for unlocking the final, canonical ending of FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol. Starting with a perfect score on Case 1 is the first step on that path.
The Final Takeaway
Case 1, "The Playground," serves as a powerful tutorial for the game's core philosophy: the most obvious answer is rarely the correct one. Achieving the S-Rank is less a test of skill and more a test of curiosity and the willingness to challenge your assumptions. By finding the hidden evidence and exposing the real story, you're not just getting a better score—you're learning how to think like a true M.E. agent.