New Releases and Sales, plus 'Emio – The Smiling Man' Review

Hello discerning readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 5th, 2024. Already Thursday? Time flies! We're diving deep into reviews today, featuring Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate. Mikhail also contributes his insights 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 conclude with our usual sales updates. Let's begin!

Reviews & Mini-Views

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

Resurrecting dormant franchises is the latest trend, mirroring Hollywood's practices. Nintendo's unexpected revival of Famicom Detective Club, primarily known in the West through a brief remake, presents a new chapter. This new millennium marks the debut of a fresh Famicom Detective Club adventure.

The challenge lies in balancing faithfulness to the original with modern sensibilities. Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club maintains the style of recent remakes, resulting in a unique blend. While the visuals are modern, the gameplay retains an old-school feel, influencing its overall enjoyment.

The narrative centers on a student's death, reminiscent of unsolved murders from eighteen years prior. The Emio urban legend, a killer promising eternal smiles, is central to the mystery. The Utsugi Detective Agency steps in, employing classic investigative techniques to uncover the truth.

Gameplay involves searching for clues, interrogating individuals, and connecting information. Similar to Ace Attorney's investigation segments, the process can feel repetitive at times. While the story is engaging and well-written, certain logical connections could have benefited from clearer signposting.

Despite some minor story criticisms, the game is largely enjoyable, offering a captivating and twisty narrative. The pacing occasionally falters, and some resolutions might not satisfy all players. However, these are minor flaws in an otherwise excellent mystery adventure.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate ($29.99)

The Switch is seeing a surge in TMNT titles. Following the Cowabunga Collection, Shredder's Revenge, and Wrath of the Mutants, Splintered Fate offers a console-style experience. This roguelite beat 'em up blends the familiar TMNT formula with elements of Hades.

Playable solo or with up to four players (locally or online), the game shines in multiplayer. While enjoyable solo, adding players enhances the experience. The gameplay involves battling enemies, utilizing tactical dashes, acquiring perks, and collecting currency for permanent upgrades. Death sends you back to the lair to retry.

While not a must-have for all, TMNT fans will appreciate this unique take. The well-implemented multiplayer is a highlight. Those unfamiliar with the franchise might find superior roguelites on the Switch, but Splintered Fate holds its own in a competitive genre.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)

Initially released on PC and PS5, Nour: Play With Your Food is a playful sandbox experience ideal for food enthusiasts and art lovers. The Switch version, however, has some shortcomings. It's a unique interactive experience that blends food and art. While initially basic, the game offers surprising depth.

The lack of touchscreen support on Switch is disappointing. Performance is also affected, with noticeable load times.

Despite these issues, Nour: Play With Your Food remains a worthwhile experience for its target audience. The Switch version isn't optimal, but its portability is a plus.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5 -Mikhail Madnani

Fate/stay night REMASTERED ($29.99)

Fate/stay night REMASTERED is a remaster of the 2004 visual novel, serving as an excellent entry point into the Fate universe. The extensive playtime (55+ hours) and low price make it a remarkable value. Improvements include English language support, 16:9 support, and enhanced visuals for modern displays. Touchscreen support on Switch is a welcome addition.

The remaster enhances the original experience significantly. While not as visually stunning as Tsukihime's remake, it's a solid upgrade. It performs well on both Switch and Steam Deck.

The lack of a physical Switch release is a minor drawback. Overall, Fate/stay night REMASTERED is a must-have for visual novel fans.

SwitchArcade Score: 5/5 -Mikhail Madnani

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

This twin pack offers two visual novels, TOKYO CHRONOS and ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos. ALTDEUS stands out with superior production values and gameplay elements beyond a typical visual novel. The Switch version includes touchscreen support and rumble, enhancing immersion. However, camera movement issues affect performance.