Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup 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 fleeting remake, is a prime example. This marks the first entirely new Famicom Detective Club adventure in years, which is exciting.
The challenge with reviving an old IP lies in balancing faithfulness to the original with modern sensibilities. Emio – The Smiling Man opts for a stylistic approach similar to the recent remakes, resulting in a curious mix. The visuals are top-notch, and the narrative pushes boundaries beyond what 90s Nintendo would have dared, yet the gameplay retains a distinctly retro feel. This old-school gameplay is key to whether you'll enjoy the game.
The game centers around a student found dead, a case echoing unsolved murders from eighteen years prior. The legend of Emio, a killer promising eternal smiles, adds a layer of mystery. Is it a copycat? A resurrected killer? Or pure fiction? The police are baffled, leaving the Utsugi Detective Agency to unravel the truth.
Gameplay involves searching for clues, interrogating suspects (often requiring repeated questioning), and piecing together the narrative. It's reminiscent of the investigation segments in Ace Attorney. While engaging, the pacing occasionally falters, and certain logical leaps could benefit from clearer guidance. However, within the context of similar mystery games, Emio doesn't commit any major offenses.
Overall, despite minor narrative quibbles, Emio is a captivating mystery. Its engaging plot and well-crafted writing shine, even if some plot points might not resonate with everyone. The game's strengths outweigh its weaknesses, delivering a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Welcome back, Detective Club!
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate ($29.99)
The Switch is getting a fantastic collection of TMNT games. We have the classics in Cowabunga Collection, the modern arcade beat 'em up Shredder's Revenge, and now Splintered Fate, offering a different console-style experience. So, how does it fare?
Quite well, actually. Imagine a TMNT beat 'em up infused with Hades mechanics. Playable solo or with up to four players locally or online, the multiplayer shines. While enjoyable solo, adding players significantly enhances the experience.
Shredder's mischief unleashes a mysterious force, endangering Splinter. The Turtles must save him, battling Foot Soldiers along the way. Gameplay involves combat, tactical dashing, perk collection, and permanent upgrades via currency earned. Death means restarting the run. It's a roguelite beat 'em up, but with the Turtles – automatically better! While not groundbreaking, it's well-executed.
Splintered Fate isn't essential, but TMNT fans will appreciate this unique take. The well-implemented multiplayer is a highlight. Those without a Turtle obsession might find superior roguelites on Switch, but Splintered Fate holds its own in a highly competitive genre.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)
Nour: Play With Your Food's absence from Switch and mobile upon its initial release surprised many. It seemed perfectly suited for touchscreens. While enjoyable on PC, it's not for everyone. If you appreciate playful sandbox experiences and food, Nour will likely delight, but the Switch version has shortcomings.
For newcomers, Nour is an experimental food art experience. It's a blend of interactive app and artistic expression for food enthusiasts. Starting with basic tools, the game's depth gradually unfolds, allowing for extensive food manipulation. However, this is where the touchscreen limitation becomes apparent.
The lack of touchscreen support on Switch is disappointing. Performance compromises are also evident, resulting in longer load times.
Despite these flaws, Nour is worth experiencing for its unique blend of food, art, and interactivity. While the Switch version isn't ideal, its portability remains a plus. Hopefully, it will perform well enough to warrant future DLC or a physical release. Games like Nour offer a refreshing contrast to more traditional 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 arguably the best entry point into the Fate universe, offering a chance to experience the series' origins. The sheer volume of content justifies the low price.
For those familiar with the original Japanese versions, Fate/stay night REMASTERED offers significant improvements, including English localization, 16:9 support, and enhanced visuals on modern displays. While not as visually stunning as Tsukihime's remake, the effort is evident.
The inclusion of touchscreen support on Switch is a welcome addition, making it ideal for both handheld and docked play. Its compatibility with Steam Deck further enhances its accessibility.
The only significant drawback is the lack of a physical Switch release. However, Fate/stay night REMASTERED is a must-have for visual novel fans. Its affordability and availability on multiple platforms make it an easy recommendation. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 5/5
TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK ($49.99)
This twin pack brings two VR titles to the Switch. TOKYO CHRONOS follows high school friends in an alternate Shibuya, dealing with lost memories and murder. While the narrative is somewhat predictable, the visuals are strong. ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos, however, is superior, boasting better production values, writing, voice acting, and characters. It transcends the typical visual novel format.
The Switch version has some camera movement performance issues, but touchscreen support and rumble functionality compensate.
TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK is a solid Switch experience, enhanced by touch controls and rumble. The demo is recommended to gauge the gameplay. Sci-fi fans should definitely check it out. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Select New Releases
Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku ($49.99)
A Fitness Boxing game featuring Hatsune Miku. It includes 24 songs from Miku and friends, plus 30 more from the Fitness Boxing series. Mechanically, it's similar to previous entries.
Gimmick! 2 ($24.99)
A faithful sequel to the original, with enhanced visuals and challenging gameplay.
Touhou Danmaku Kagura Phantasia Lost ($29.99)
Combines rhythm game and bullet hell elements.
EGGCONSOLE Hydlide MSX ($6.49)
Another Hydlide version for fans of the series.
Arcade Archives Lead Angle ($7.99)
A gallery shooter from 1988.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Select New Sales
Several titles are on sale, including No Man's Sky.
Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 6th
A variety of games are ending their sales tomorrow.
That's all for today! We'll be back tomorrow with more reviews, new releases, and sales. Thanks for reading!
