SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring ‘Emio – The Smiling Man’, Plus Today’s New Releases and Sales

Hello discerning readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup 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. We'll then highlight the day's noteworthy new releases and round up the latest sales. Let's get started!

Reviews & Mini-Views

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

Sequels to long-dormant franchises are trending, mirroring Hollywood's practices. Nintendo's unexpected revival of Famicom Detective Club, primarily known in the West through a brief Switch remake, is a prime example. This marks the first new Famicom Detective Club adventure in years.

The challenge of reviving a classic lies in balancing faithfulness to the original with modern updates. Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club largely maintains the style of the recent remakes, closely mirroring the originals. This creates a unique blend: modern visuals meet a story pushing boundaries beyond its 90s counterpart. However, the gameplay retains an old-school feel, significantly impacting enjoyment.

The narrative centers on a student found dead, a smiling face on a paper bag echoing unsolved murders from eighteen years prior. The legend of Emio, a killer promising eternal smiles, resurfaces. Is it a copycat, or has Emio returned? The police are baffled, necessitating the Utsugi Detective Agency's intervention. Through investigation and questioning, you uncover the truth.

Gameplay involves searching for clues, interrogating individuals, and connecting evidence. Similar to Ace Attorney’s investigation segments, this approach might prove tedious for some. Specific logical connections could benefit from clearer guidance. However, within its genre conventions, Emio doesn't significantly deviate.

Despite some story criticisms, the overall experience is engaging, suspenseful, and well-written. While some plot points may not resonate universally, detailed discussion risks spoilers. The narrative's strengths outweigh its weaknesses, making it a compelling mystery.

Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club is atypical of Nintendo's output. While its mechanics adhere closely to the originals, the plot is largely excellent, though pacing occasionally falters. Despite minor flaws, it's a highly enjoyable mystery adventure. Welcome back, Detective Club!

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate ($29.99)

The Switch boasts a growing collection of TMNT games, including classics, modern arcade-style titles, and now, Splintered Fate, offering a home console experience. This game blends beat 'em up gameplay with roguelite elements reminiscent of Hades. Solo or four-player local/online multiplayer is available. Online multiplayer functionality proved effective.

Shredder's machinations and a mysterious power endanger Splinter, prompting the Turtles' rescue mission. Combat involves slicing, dicing, and bludgeoning enemies, tactical dodging, perk acquisition, and permanent upgrade collection. Death restarts the cycle. It's a familiar roguelite beat 'em up formula, enhanced by the TMNT theme. While not groundbreaking, it's competently executed.

Splintered Fate isn't a must-have, but TMNT fans will appreciate this unique take. Well-implemented multiplayer enhances the experience. Those less familiar with the franchise might find superior roguelite alternatives on Switch, but Splintered Fate holds its own in a crowded genre.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

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