Emio – The Smiling Man Reviewed: SwitchArcade Highlights New Releases and Sales

Hello, dear readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 5th, 2024. It's Thursday already, and time flies! We're diving deep into reviews today, with two new ones for Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate. Our friend Mikhail also joins us with insights on Nour: Play With Your Food, Fate/stay night REMASTERED, and TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK. We'll also cover the latest new releases and take a look at the new and expiring sales. Ah, Thursday, how quickly you pass. Let's get started!

Reviews & Mini-Views

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

In the world of gaming, reviving dormant franchises is all the rage, much like Hollywood's love for reboots. Nintendo has surprised us by bringing back Famicom Detective Club, a series that was briefly reintroduced to the West with remakes of the first two games on Switch. Now, with Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club, we have a brand new adventure in the series for the first time this millennium. That's exciting!

Reviving an old brand poses a challenge: how faithful should the new game be to the original? Too faithful, and it might seem outdated; too innovative, and it risks alienating fans. Emio opts for a balance, echoing the style of the recent remakes while introducing modern visuals and a slightly more daring storyline. However, the gameplay remains rooted in the old-school detective mechanics.

The story kicks off with a student found dead, a paper bag with a smiling face covering his head—a chilling reminder of unsolved murders from eighteen years ago. The urban legend of Emio, a killer who promises an eternal smile, adds a layer of mystery. Is it a resurfaced killer, a copycat, or just a myth? As part of the Utsugi Detective Agency, you'll navigate scenes, interrogate suspects, and piece together the puzzle. It's reminiscent of Ace Attorney's investigative segments, and while it can feel a bit clunky at times, the overall experience is compelling.

The narrative is engaging, full of twists and turns, though some plot points may not land as powerfully for everyone. Yet, the overall story is well-crafted and best experienced fresh. While Emio might adhere a bit too closely to the original gameplay mechanics, and the pacing can occasionally falter, it remains a thoroughly enjoyable mystery adventure. Welcome back, Detective Club—don't stay away for so long next time.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate ($29.99)

The Switch is becoming a haven for TMNT fans, with classics like the Cowabunga Collection, modern hits like Shredder’s Revenge, and now Splintered Fate, which offers a home console experience. With more titles on the way, it's a great time to be a Turtle enthusiast.

Splintered Fate blends a TMNT-style beat 'em up with Hades-like roguelite mechanics. You can play solo or with up to four players via local or online multiplayer. The cooperative aspect significantly enhances the experience, as Mikhail and I discovered during our online session.

The story revolves around Shredder and a mysterious power threatening Splinter, prompting the Turtles to embark on a rescue mission. The gameplay involves fighting enemies, dodging attacks, collecting perks, and securing permanent upgrades. It's a solid roguelite beat 'em up, and the Turtles' charm elevates it. While not groundbreaking, it's a fun addition to the TMNT lineup, especially for fans. For others, better roguelites might be available on Switch, but Splintered Fate holds its own admirably.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)

Nour: Play With Your Food initially launched on PC and PS5, and while it seemed perfect for touchscreens, the Switch version lacks this feature, which is disappointing. The game offers an experimental food art experience, allowing you to interact with various food types across stages accompanied by quirky music and whimsical elements.

While the Switch version runs decently, it suffers from long load times. If you're passionate about food and art, Nour is worth exploring. However, the lack of touchscreen support and performance issues on Switch detract from the experience. Hopefully, future updates or DLC can enhance the Switch version, making it more enjoyable on a portable device.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Fate/stay night REMASTERED ($29.99)

The release of Fate/stay night REMASTERED on Switch and Steam is a dream come true for fans like me who've been eagerly awaiting an English version. This remaster of the 2004 Type Moon visual novel follows Emiya Shirou's journey in the Holy Grail War, serving as the perfect entry point into the Fate universe.

With over 55 hours of content, the remastered version offers quality-of-life improvements, including 16:9 support and touchscreen functionality on Switch. While it may not match the visual quality of Tsukihime's recent remake, Fate/stay night REMASTERED delivers an engaging and immersive experience. It's a must-have for visual novel enthusiasts and a fantastic value on the eShop.

The game runs smoothly on both Switch and Steam Deck, making it an excellent choice for fans of the series. I'm thrilled to finally experience it in English and hope for a physical release in the future.

SwitchArcade Score: 5/5

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

For those without VR headsets, TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK offers a chance to experience these acclaimed titles on the Switch. The pack includes two games: TOKYO CHRONOS, set in an alternate Shibuya with a predictable yet engaging narrative, and ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos, which stands out with its superior production, music, and storytelling.

While the Switch version has some performance issues with camera movement, the addition of touchscreen support and good rumble enhances the immersion. ALTDEUS is particularly memorable for its blend of visual novel elements with more interactive segments. If you enjoy sci-fi stories, the demo is a great way to see if the full experience is right for you.

Overall, the TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK is a compelling addition to the Switch library, offering a unique and immersive experience.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Select New Releases

Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku ($49.99)

Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku is exactly what it sounds like—a fitness boxing game featuring the beloved virtual idol. With 24 songs from Miku and friends, plus 30 more from the Fitness Boxing series, there's plenty of music to keep you motivated. If you're a fan of both fitness games and Hatsune Miku, this is a must-buy.

Gimmick! 2 ($24.99)

Gimmick! 2 is a faithful sequel to the cult classic, offering a challenging and cleverly designed platformer. If you enjoy tough puzzles and nostalgic gameplay, this is a game you won't want to miss.

Touhou Danmaku Kagura Phantasia Lost ($29.99)

Touhou Danmaku Kagura Phantasia Lost combines rhythm gaming with bullet hell shoot 'em up action. While the two modes may feel disparate, the Touhou theme and excellent music make it a worthwhile experience for fans of the series.

EGGCONSOLE Hydlide MSX ($6.49)

For Hydlide enthusiasts, EGGCONSOLE Hydlide MSX offers another version of the classic game. While it may not offer much new for those who've played other versions, it's a must-have for completists.

Arcade Archives Lead Angle ($7.99)

Arcade Archives Lead Angle is a 1988 Seibu Kaihatsu gallery shooter that, while not a standout at the time, remains a solid example of the genre. If you're a fan of vintage shooters, it's worth checking out.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Today's sales may not be the most exciting, but No Man’s Sky is always a solid choice. Other titles on sale are frequently discounted, so it's up to you to decide if now is the time to buy. Similarly, the expiring sales offer familiar titles, so make your choices accordingly.

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, friends. We'll be back tomorrow to wrap things up with more reviews, new releases, and sales. And, did you know? My blog, Post Game Content, is set to become active again soon. If you enjoy reading about games, you'll find plenty to explore there. Wishing you all a fantastic Thursday, and as always, thank you for reading!