Hello discerning readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 5th, 2024. Already Thursday? Time flies! We're diving deep into reviews today, with two comprehensive analyses: Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate. Our contributor, Mikhail, also weighs in on Nour: Play With Your Food, Fate/stay night REMASTERED, and the TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK. Following this, we'll highlight the day's noteworthy new releases and round up the latest sales, both new and expiring. Ah, Thursday. Until Friday, let's proceed!
Reviews & Mini-Views
Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club ($49.99)
Resurrecting dormant franchises is the current trend, mirroring Hollywood's practices. Nintendo's unexpected revival of Famicom Detective Club, primarily known in the West through a fleeting remake, is intriguing. This marks the first new Famicom Detective Club adventure in years, a noteworthy event.
The challenge of reviving an old IP lies in balancing faithfulness to the original with modernization. Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club largely maintains the style of the recent remakes, closely adhering to the originals. This creates a unique blend. The visuals are top-notch, and the narrative pushes boundaries beyond what 90s Nintendo would have attempted. However, the gameplay retains an old-school feel, significantly impacting the overall enjoyment.
The game centers on a student found dead, a recurring motif linking it to unsolved murders from eighteen years prior. The urban legend of Emio, a killer promising eternal smiles, adds layers of mystery. The investigation falls to the Utsugi Detective Agency. Players gather clues, interrogate suspects, and connect the dots to uncover the truth. The gameplay is reminiscent of Ace Attorney's investigation segments. The process may feel tedious or frustrating to some players due to its old-school mechanics and occasional lack of clear guidance.
Despite some story criticisms, the narrative is engaging, twisting, and well-crafted. While certain plot points may not resonate with all players, detailed discussion would spoil the experience. The game's strengths outweigh its weaknesses, particularly during its most compelling moments.
Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club, while unconventional for Nintendo, demonstrates impressive craftsmanship. Its adherence to the original's mechanics may be a drawback, and some plot resolutions might feel less satisfying. Nevertheless, it's a captivating mystery adventure. Welcome back, Detective Club!
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate ($29.99)
The Switch is accumulating a diverse collection of TMNT games. From the Cowabunga Collection to Shredder's Revenge and Wrath of the Mutants, Splintered Fate offers a distinct console-style experience. This roguelite beat 'em up blends the familiar TMNT formula with the gameplay of Hades. Solo or up to four-player local/online multiplayer options are available. Online multiplayer functionality worked well in our testing.
The narrative involves Shredder, a mysterious power, and a troubled Splinter. Players battle enemies, strategically avoid attacks, utilize power-ups, and collect currency for permanent upgrades. Death restarts the run. While not groundbreaking, it effectively delivers on its premise.
Splintered Fate isn't essential, but TMNT fans will appreciate this unique take. The well-implemented multiplayer enhances the experience. Those unfamiliar with the franchise might find better roguelite alternatives on Switch, but Splintered Fate holds its own in a crowded 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 PC and PS5 release was surprising. It seemed ideally suited for touchscreens. While enjoyable on PC, it's not a conventional game. Those who appreciate playful sandbox experiences and food-related themes will likely find it appealing. However, the Switch version has shortcomings.
The game involves interacting with various food types across different stages, set to engaging music. It combines interactive app elements with food and art. Initially, only basic tools are available, but the game expands significantly. The lack of touchscreen support on Switch is disappointing. Performance compromises are also evident, resulting in longer load times.
Despite its flaws, Nour: Play With Your Food is worth experiencing for fans of food, art, and interactive apps. The Switch version isn't optimal, but its portability is a plus. More DLC or a physical release would be welcome. Games like Nour and Townscaper provide a unique counterpoint to more complex 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. It serves as an excellent entry point into the Fate universe. The game's extensive length (55+ hours) makes its price point remarkably affordable.
Improvements over previous versions include English language support, 16:9 support, and enhanced visuals for modern displays. Touchscreen support on Switch is a significant addition. The game performs well on both Switch and Steam Deck.
The absence of a physical Switch release is the only significant drawback. The game is highly recommended for visual novel enthusiasts. Its accessibility and value make it a compelling purchase. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 5/5
TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK ($49.99)
This twin pack offers two visual novels, TOKYO CHRONOS and ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos. ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos stands out with superior production values, writing, and characters. The Switch version includes touchscreen support and rumble features. Minor camera control issues exist, but don't significantly detract from the experience.
This compilation is recommended for fans of sci-fi narratives. The demo is suggested to assess compatibility with Switch controls. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Select New Releases
Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku ($49.99)
A Fitness Boxing game featuring Hatsune Miku's music. Includes 24 songs from Miku and 30 from the Fitness Boxing series.
Gimmick! 2 ($24.99)
A challenging but rewarding platformer.
Touhou Danmaku Kagura Phantasia Lost ($29.99)
Combines rhythm game and bullet hell shooter elements.
EGGCONSOLE Hydlide MSX ($6.49)
Another version of Hydlide for dedicated fans.
Arcade Archives Lead Angle ($7.99)
A gallery shooter from 1988.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Notable sales include No Man's Sky. Other frequently discounted titles are also available.
Select New Sales (Partial list shown due to length constraints)
No Man’s Sky ($23.99 from $59.99 until 9/17) The Last Campfire ($1.99 from $14.99 until 9/17) (...and many more)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 6th (Partial list shown due to length constraints)
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) (...and many more)
This concludes today's update. Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, and sales. Thank you for reading!
