SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring ‘Emio – The Smiling Man’, Plus Today’s New Releases and Sales

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 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 noteworthy new releases and round things off with our usual sales updates. Let's get to it!

Reviews & Mini-Views

Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club ($49.99)

Sequels to long-dormant franchises are all the rage, it seems. Nintendo's surprise revival of Famicom Detective Club, a series largely known in the West through a brief remake a few years ago, is a prime example. This new entry, the first in the series this millennium, presents a unique challenge: balancing faithfulness to the original with modern sensibilities.

Emio – The Smiling Man largely maintains the style of the recent remakes, resulting in a curious blend. The visuals are top-notch, and the narrative pushes boundaries beyond what 90s Nintendo would have dared. However, the gameplay retains a distinctly old-school feel, a crucial factor in determining enjoyment.

The game centers on a student found dead, a smiling face on a paper bag his only calling card. This triggers a re-investigation of similar unsolved murders from eighteen years prior, raising questions about a legendary killer, Emio. Players, stepping into the shoes of the Utsugi Detective Agency, must unravel the truth through investigation and interrogation.

Gameplay involves searching for clues, questioning suspects (often requiring multiple attempts), and piecing together the narrative. While reminiscent of Ace Attorney's investigation segments, some aspects feel clunky and could benefit from clearer guidance. Despite this, the story is compelling, twisty, and well-crafted, even if some plot points may not resonate with all players.

Overall, Emio – The Smiling Man is a highly enjoyable mystery adventure. While its adherence to classic mechanics might be a drawback for some, the engaging plot and well-developed narrative more than compensate. The game's minor pacing issues and less-than-satisfying resolutions in certain areas are outweighed by its overall strengths. Welcome back, Detective Club!

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate ($29.99)

The Switch is experiencing a TMNT renaissance! Following the Cowabunga Collection, Shredder's Revenge, and Wrath of the Mutants, Splintered Fate offers a different take on the franchise. Imagine a TMNT beat 'em up infused with Hades mechanics – that's the essence of the game.

Players can tackle the roguelite adventure solo or with up to four players locally or online. The online multiplayer proved surprisingly smooth in our testing. While enjoyable solo, the experience is significantly enhanced with friends.

The story involves Shredder, a mysterious power, and a kidnapped Splinter. Players must battle Foot Soldiers, collect power-ups, and upgrade their characters. Death sends you back to the lair to start again.

While not groundbreaking, Splintered Fate delivers a solid roguelite beat 'em up experience, particularly enhanced by the well-implemented multiplayer. While not a must-have for everyone, TMNT fans will find much to appreciate.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)

Nour: Play With Your Food is a unique sandbox experience perfect for those who appreciate food and art. While enjoyable on PC, the Switch version suffers from a lack of touchscreen support and noticeable load times. The core gameplay remains engaging, offering a playful and creative outlet. However, the technical shortcomings detract from the overall experience.

The absence of touchscreen controls is a significant disappointment, especially considering the game's nature. Performance issues, including lengthy load times, further hamper the Switch version. Despite these drawbacks, Nour remains a worthwhile experience for its unique concept and creative gameplay.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5 -Mikhail Madnani

Fate/stay night REMASTERED ($29.99)

Fate/stay night REMASTERED is a long-awaited remaster of the classic visual novel. This release marks a significant event for fans, finally bringing the game to English-speaking audiences on the Switch and Steam. The remaster enhances the original with 16:9 support and touchscreen functionality.

The game's length (55+ hours) and low price point make it exceptional value. While not as visually stunning as recent remakes, the remaster effectively updates the visuals for modern displays. The addition of touchscreen support is a welcome improvement, especially on the Switch.

Fate/stay night REMASTERED is a must-have for visual novel fans. Its accessibility, impressive value, and excellent implementation on the Switch make it a highly recommended title.

SwitchArcade Score: 5/5 -Mikhail Madnani

TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK ($49.99)

This twin pack brings two VR titles to the Switch. While both offer engaging narratives, ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos stands out with its superior production values and gameplay elements. The Switch versions include touchscreen support and rumble, enhancing the overall experience.

Performance issues, particularly with camera movement, are present but don't completely detract from the enjoyment. The inclusion of touchscreen controls is a significant plus.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5 -Mikhail Madnani

Select New Releases

(Brief descriptions of Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku, Gimmick! 2, Touhou Danmaku Kagura Phantasia Lost, EGGCONSOLE Hydlide MSX, and Arcade Archives Lead Angle are provided with images.)

Sales

(Sales information for both new and expiring sales are listed with images.)

That's all for today! We'll be back tomorrow with more reviews, new releases, and sales. Thanks for reading!