"Emio – The Smiling Man' Reviewed: SwitchArcade's Latest Releases and Sales"

Hello, dear readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 5th, 2024. It's Thursday already, and time seems to fly! Today, we're diving deep into reviews, with a focus on Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate. Our friend Mikhail also joins us with his insights on Nour: Play With Your Food, Fate/stay night REMASTERED, and TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK. We'll also explore the latest new releases and wrap up with the latest sales updates. Let’s dive in!

Reviews & Mini-Views

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

Reviving a dormant franchise is always a gamble, and Nintendo's decision to bring back Famicom Detective Club is a bold move. This series, mainly known in the West through a brief remake of the first two games on the Switch, now sees a new entry in Emio – The Smiling Man. It's refreshing to see a new adventure in this millennium.

The challenge with reviving an old series is balancing nostalgia with modern gameplay. Emio sticks closely to the style of the recent remakes, maintaining a familiar feel. While the visuals are top-notch and the story pushes boundaries, the gameplay remains rooted in the past. This can be a double-edged sword; the old-school mechanics might delight some but frustrate others.

The plot revolves around a student found dead with a paper bag over his head, sporting a smiling face reminiscent of unsolved murders from 18 years ago. Enter the urban legend of Emio, the killer who promises an eternal smile. As you join the Utsugi Detective Agency, you'll scour scenes for clues and interrogate suspects. The gameplay echoes Ace Attorney’s investigation phases, requiring patience and attention to detail. While some elements could be smoother, Emio remains a compelling mystery adventure.

Despite some minor criticisms about pacing and story resolution, Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club is a welcome return. It's a well-crafted tale that keeps you engaged, making it a must-play for fans of mystery and adventure games.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate ($29.99)

The Switch is becoming a haven for TMNT fans, with a variety of titles catering to different tastes. Splintered Fate brings a roguelite twist to the classic beat 'em up formula, reminiscent of Hades. You can play solo or with up to four players in local or online multiplayer, enhancing the experience with each additional player.

The story involves Shredder and a mysterious power threatening Splinter, leading the Turtles on a mission to save him. Combat involves slicing through Foot Soldiers, tactical dashing, and collecting perks and permanent upgrades. The roguelite structure means you'll restart from the lair if you fail, encouraging you to refine your strategy.

While Splintered Fate may not reinvent the genre, it offers a solid experience, especially for TMNT enthusiasts. The multiplayer aspect is a highlight, ensuring that fans of the franchise will find plenty to enjoy. For those less invested in the Turtles, there might be more compelling roguelite options on the Switch, but Splintered Fate holds its own.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)

Nour: Play With Your Food is an experimental food art experience that initially launched on PC and PS5. Its playful sandbox nature makes it a perfect fit for touchscreens, though the Switch version lacks this support, which is a disappointment. The game lets you interact with various foods across stages, accompanied by engaging music and whimsical elements.

Despite some performance issues, including long load times on the Switch, Nour remains a unique experience for those who enjoy food and art. It's a refreshing break from more traditional games, and while the Switch version isn't ideal, it's still worth exploring for its creativity and charm.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Fate/stay night REMASTERED ($29.99)

Fate/stay night REMASTERED is a dream come true for fans of the series, now available in English on the Switch and Steam. This remaster of the 2004 visual novel offers an entry point into the Fate universe, telling the story of Emiya Shirou and the Holy Grail War.

The remaster includes quality-of-life improvements, such as 16:9 support and touchscreen functionality on the Switch. Despite not matching the visual splendor of more recent remakes like Tsukihime, the effort put into enhancing Fate/stay night is evident. The game offers over 55 hours of content, making it a fantastic value on the eShop.

Whether you're new to the series or a long-time fan, Fate/stay night REMASTERED is a must-play. It's a comprehensive and immersive experience that holds up well even years after its initial release.

SwitchArcade Score: 5/5

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

For those who missed out on VR experiences, TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK brings these acclaimed stories to the Switch. The pack includes two games: TOKYO CHRONOS, which follows high school friends in an alternate Shibuya, and ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos, a more ambitious title with superior production values.

While TOKYO CHRONOS may feel predictable at times, ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos stands out with its engaging narrative and interactive elements. The Switch version includes touchscreen support and good rumble, though it suffers from some performance issues with camera movement.

Overall, the TWIN PACK offers a compelling experience for fans of sci-fi and adventure games, making it a worthwhile addition to your library.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Select New Releases

Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku ($49.99)

Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku combines the popular fitness game with the beloved virtual idol. With 24 songs from Miku and 30 from the Fitness Boxing series, you'll have plenty of music to energize your workouts. If you're a fan of both, this is a no-brainer.

Gimmick! 2 ($24.99)

Gimmick! 2 is a faithful sequel to the cult classic, maintaining the challenging gameplay and adding a sleek new presentation. If you enjoy platformers that test your skills, this game is a must-try.

Touhou Danmaku Kagura Phantasia Lost ($29.99)

Touhou Danmaku Kagura Phantasia Lost blends rhythm and bullet hell genres, offering two distinct modes. While the combination might feel unusual, the Touhou theme and excellent music make it an intriguing choice for fans.

EGGCONSOLE Hydlide MSX ($6.49)

Another version of Hydlide hits the Switch with EGGCONSOLE Hydlide MSX. If you're a super-fan, you might appreciate the slight variations, but for most players, it's similar to the PC-8801 release.

Arcade Archives Lead Angle ($7.99)

Arcade Archives Lead Angle is a 1988 gallery shooter from Seibu Kaihatsu. While not the most popular of its time, it's a solid example of the genre and offers a unique gangster-themed experience.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Today's sales aren't particularly exciting, but No Man’s Sky is always a good pick. The other games on sale are frequently discounted, so it's up to you to decide if it's worth grabbing them now. The expiring sales are similarly unremarkable, but here they are for your consideration.

Select New Sales

No Man’s Sky ($23.99 from $59.99 until 9/17)
The Last Campfire ($1.99 from $14.99 until 9/17)
XALADIA: Rise of the Space Pirates X2 ($8.09 from $17.99 until 9/18)
Scars of Mars ($15.99 from $19.99 until 9/18)
Die for Valhalla ($3.59 from $11.99 until 9/25)
Moonlighter ($3.74 from $24.99 until 9/25)
Thea: The Awakening ($5.39 from $17.99 until 9/25)
Children of Morta ($5.49 from $21.99 until 9/25)
Dungeon of the Endless ($3.99 from $19.99 until 9/25)
Yes, Your Grace ($2.99 from $19.99 until 9/25)
Hypnospace Outlaw ($4.99 from $19.99 until 9/25)
Nowhere Prophet ($2.49 from $24.99 until 9/25)
Soccer Story ($7.99 from $19.99 until 9/25)
Family Man ($1.99 from $19.99 until 9/25)
South of the Circle ($6.49 from $12.99 until 9/25)
Wingspan ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/25)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 6th

Ambition: A Minuet in Power ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/6)
Dance of Death: Du Lac & Fey ($2.39 from $15.99 until 9/6)
Fear Effect Sedna ($1.99 from $19.99 until 9/6)
Galak-Z The Void Deluxe ($2.99 from $14.99 until 9/6)
Kingdom Rush ($5.49 from $9.99 until 9/6)
Kingdom Rush Frontiers ($5.49 from $9.99 until 9/6)
Kingdom Rush Origins ($8.24 from $14.99 until 9/6)
My Time at Portia ($4.49 from $29.99 until 9/6)
PowerWash Simulator ($17.49 from $24.99 until 9/6)
Skulls of the Shogun ($3.99 from $19.99 until 9/6)
Suhoshin ($4.49 from $14.99 until 9/6)
The House of Da Vinci 2 ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/6)
Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 4 ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/6)
Ty the Tasmanian Tiger HD ($10.49 from $29.99 until 9/6)
Violet Wisteria ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/6)
What the Fork ($4.49 from $17.99 until 9/6)

That's all for today, folks. We'll be back tomorrow to wrap things up with more reviews, new releases, and sales updates. Did you know? I have a blog called Post Game Content that's gearing up for some new content soon. If you enjoy my thoughts on games, be sure to check it out. Have a fantastic Thursday, and as always, thanks for reading!