Hello, fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 5th, 2024! It's Thursday already – where does the time go? We're diving straight into our reviews today, with in-depth looks at Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate. Our contributor, Mikhail, also shares his thoughts on Nour: Play With Your Food, Fate/stay night REMASTERED, and the TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK. We'll then cover the day's notable new releases and round up the latest sales. Let's get started!
Reviews & Mini-Views
Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club ($49.99)
Resurrecting dormant franchises is all the rage these days, mirroring Hollywood's trends. Nintendo's unexpected revival of Famicom Detective Club, a series primarily known in the West through a brief remake, has yielded a brand-new adventure.
The challenge with reviving old IPs lies in balancing faithfulness to the original with modern sensibilities. Emio – The Smiling Man largely maintains the style of the recent remakes, creating a unique blend. The graphics are top-notch, the story pushes boundaries beyond what 90s Nintendo would have attempted, but the gameplay retains a classic feel. This old-school approach is key to whether or not you'll enjoy the game.
The game centers around a student found dead, a case echoing unsolved murders from 18 years prior. The legend of Emio, a killer promising eternal smiles, is brought into question. Is it a copycat, a resurrected killer, or pure myth? The police are baffled, leaving the Utsugi Detective Agency to unravel the truth.
Gameplay involves exploring scenes for clues, interrogating suspects (often requiring multiple attempts), and connecting evidence. Similar to the investigative portions of Ace Attorney, the process can be occasionally tedious. While enjoyable overall, some sections could have benefited from smoother transitions and clearer guidance. It's a classic adventure game, and as such, Emio adheres to the genre's conventions.
While I have some minor criticisms of the narrative, I found it captivating, suspenseful, and well-written. Certain plot points didn't resonate with me as strongly as others, but discussing them would spoil the experience. This is a mystery best enjoyed fresh. The highs outweigh the lows, and when the story picks up, it truly captivates.
Emio – The Smiling Man is a departure from typical Nintendo fare, showcasing a polished product despite the franchise's long hiatus. Its adherence to classic mechanics might be a drawback for some, and while the plot is mostly excellent, the pacing occasionally falters. Despite these minor flaws, it's a highly enjoyable mystery adventure. Welcome back, Detective Club!
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate ($29.99)
The Switch is building a solid collection of TMNT games. From the Cowabunga Collection to Shredder's Revenge and Wrath of the Mutants, Splintered Fate offers a different flavor. And more are on the horizon!
This title is a compelling blend of beat 'em up and roguelite elements, reminiscent of Hades. Playable solo or with up to four players locally or online, the multiplayer aspect significantly enhances the experience. While solo play is viable, adding friends elevates the fun.
The plot involves Shredder, a mysterious power, and a jeopardized Splinter. The Turtles must save their sensei, facing hordes of Foot Soldiers. The gameplay involves combat, tactical dodging, perk collection, and permanent upgrades. Death sends you back to the lair to try again. It's a familiar roguelite formula, but the TMNT theme adds significant charm. While not groundbreaking, it's well-executed.
Splintered Fate isn't a must-have for everyone, but TMNT fans will appreciate this unique take. The well-implemented multiplayer is a highlight, making it a standout in a genre often played solo. Those not fond of the Turtles might find better roguelites on Switch, but Splintered Fate holds its own in a competitive market.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)
Nour: Play With Your Food's initial absence from Switch and mobile surprised many, as it seemed perfectly suited for touchscreens. While enjoyable on PC, it's not a traditional game. Fans of playful sandbox experiences and food will appreciate it, though the Switch version has shortcomings.
Nour lets you interact with various food items across different stages, featuring unique music and playful elements. Starting with basic tools, you gradually unlock more features. The lack of touchscreen support on Switch is disappointing, and performance compromises are noticeable compared to other platforms. Load times are particularly lengthy.
Despite its flaws, Nour is worth experiencing for those who enjoy food, art, and interactive apps. While the Switch version isn't ideal, its portability is a plus. Hopefully, it will perform well enough to warrant DLC or a physical release. Games like Nour and Townscaper offer a refreshing contrast to more complex titles. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Fate/stay night REMASTERED ($29.99)
Fate/stay night REMASTERED, released recently on Switch and Steam, is a remaster of the 2004 visual novel. This is a fantastic entry point into the Fate universe, offering a chance to experience the series' origins. The extensive text and gameplay make it an incredible value.
The remaster adds English language support, 16:9 support, and other improvements over the original. While not as visually stunning as Tsukihime's recent remake, it's well-presented on modern displays. The addition of touchscreen support on Switch is a welcome feature. The game also runs well on Steam Deck.
For those familiar with the original Japanese versions, Fate/stay night REMASTERED offers a significantly enhanced experience. The length (55+ hours) and the low price point are remarkable. The touchscreen support on Switch and compatibility with Steam Deck are major pluses.
The only significant omission is the lack of a physical Switch release. This is a must-have for visual novel fans, and its availability in English on both Switch and Steam is a significant achievement. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 5/5
TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK ($49.99)
This twin pack brings two VR titles to Switch. TOKYO CHRONOS follows high school friends in an alternate Shibuya, dealing with lost memories and murder. While predictable at times, it's visually appealing and intriguing. ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos, however, is superior, boasting better production values, writing, voice acting, and characters. It also expands beyond the visual novel format.
The Switch version has some camera movement issues, but the touchscreen support and rumble features enhance the experience.
Despite some narrative shortcomings, the Switch port offers a compelling experience with its touch controls and rumble. The demo is recommended to assess if the controls suit your preferences. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Select New Releases
(Descriptions of Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku, Gimmick! 2, Touhou Danmaku Kagura Phantasia Lost, EGGCONSOLE Hydlide MSX, and Arcade Archives Lead Angle are included here, mirroring the original text but with minor phrasing adjustments for flow and style consistency).
Sales
(Sales information is included here, mirroring the original text but with minor phrasing adjustments for flow and style consistency).
That's all for today! We'll be back tomorrow with more reviews, new releases, and sales. Thanks for reading!
