Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 5th, 2024. It's Thursday already! Time flies, doesn't it? We're diving straight into the reviews today. I've got two for you: 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. After that, we'll cover the day's noteworthy new releases and round things off with the latest sales lists. Let's get to it!
Resurrecting dormant franchises seems to be the latest trend, mirroring Hollywood's habits. Nintendo's unexpected revival of Famicom Detective Club, primarily known in the West through a fleeting remake, has yielded a brand-new adventure – a first for this millennium!
The challenge in reviving an old IP lies in balancing faithfulness to the original with modern appeal. Emio – The Smiling Man opts for a style similar to the recent remakes, closely adhering to the originals. This creates a unique blend: modern visuals paired with a story exceeding the scope of 90s Nintendo titles, yet retaining old-school gameplay. This gameplay aspect will significantly impact your enjoyment.
The game centers around a student's death, a case echoing unsolved murders from 18 years prior. The urban legend of Emio, a killer promising eternal smiles, adds a layer of mystery. Is it a copycat, a resurrected killer, or pure myth? The police are baffled, making it a job for the Utsugi Detective Agency. Through investigation and questioning, you unravel the truth.
The gameplay involves searching for clues, interviewing suspects (often requiring repeated questioning), and connecting the dots. It's reminiscent of Ace Attorney's investigation segments. While engaging, the pacing occasionally falters, and some logical connections could benefit from clearer guidance. Despite this, the story is captivating, twisting and turning, and ultimately satisfying.
While I have some minor story criticisms, the overall experience was enjoyable. The plot is engaging and well-written, even if some plot points didn't resonate as strongly with me as they did with others. However, I won't spoil the details. The game is best experienced fresh. The positives outweigh the negatives, and the story really picks up the pace at key moments.
Emio – The Smiling Man is atypical of Nintendo, but any potential team rust is imperceptible. While its mechanics are perhaps too faithful to the originals, and the plot has a few pacing issues, it's a thoroughly enjoyable mystery adventure. Welcome back, Detective Club!
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
The Switch is accumulating a solid collection of TMNT games. From the Cowabunga Collection to Shredder's Revenge and Wrath of the Mutants, now we have Splintered Fate, offering a different console-style experience. And more are on the way!
This game blends beat 'em up gameplay with roguelite elements, similar to Hades. Play solo or with up to four players locally or online. The online multiplayer worked well in my experience. While enjoyable solo, adding players enhances the experience.
Shredder's machinations and a mysterious power put Splinter in jeopardy, forcing the Turtles into action. Fight enemies, utilize tactical dashes, collect perks, and earn upgrades. Death means starting over. It's a familiar roguelite beat 'em up formula, but with the Turtles – a significant upgrade!
It's not groundbreaking, but it's well-executed. TMNT fans will appreciate this twist. The well-implemented multiplayer is a plus. While not a must-have for everyone, it's a solid entry in the genre.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Nour: Play With Your Food is an experimental food art experience. It’s a playful sandbox perfect for those who enjoy creative, non-traditional games and love food. The Switch version, however, has some shortcomings.
The core gameplay involves interacting with various food items across different stages, accompanied by engaging music. Initially, you have basic tools, but the game gradually expands, allowing for extensive food manipulation. The lack of touchscreen support on Switch is disappointing, and the load times are lengthy, impacting the overall experience.
Despite these issues, Nour is worth experiencing for its unique blend of food, art, and interactivity. While the Switch version isn't ideal, its portability is a plus. I hope it performs well enough to warrant future DLC or a physical release.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5 -Mikhail Madnani
Fate/stay night REMASTERED is a remaster of the 2004 visual novel. It's an excellent entry point into the Fate universe, offering a comprehensive experience of the original story. The low price point is remarkable, considering the extensive content. The remaster includes English language support, 16:9 support, and improved visuals for modern displays.
The remaster significantly enhances the experience for those familiar with the original Japanese versions. The touchscreen support on Switch is a welcome addition, making it highly playable on both handheld and docked modes. It also runs smoothly on Steam Deck.
The only drawback is the lack of a physical Switch release. This is a must-have for visual novel fans, offering exceptional value and a highly enjoyable experience.
SwitchArcade Score: 5/5 -Mikhail Madnani
This twin pack offers two VR titles adapted for the Switch. TOKYO CHRONOS follows high school friends in an alternate Shibuya, dealing with memory loss, murder, and more. ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos is the stronger of the two, boasting superior production values, writing, voice acting, and characters. It also transcends the visual novel format.
The Switch version has some camera movement performance issues, but touchscreen support and rumble compensate. Both games offer compelling sci-fi narratives. The demo is recommended to assess the control scheme.
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5 -Mikhail Madnani
A Fitness Boxing game featuring Hatsune Miku and friends. It includes 24 Miku songs and 30 additional tracks from the Fitness Boxing series.
A challenging but rewarding platformer, a faithful sequel to the original.
Combines rhythm game and bullet hell shooter elements.
Another Hydlide version for completionists.
A gallery shooter from 1988.
(North American eShop, US Prices)
No Man's Sky is on sale, along with other frequently discounted titles.
Select New Sales
Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 6th
That's all for today. We'll be back tomorrow with more reviews, new releases, and sales. Check out my blog, Post Game Content, for more gaming insights. Have a great Thursday!
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