New Games, Reviews: 'Emio' Features

Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 5th, 2024. Already Thursday? Time flies! Today's focus is on reviews, with in-depth looks at Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate. Our contributor, Mikhail, also shares his thoughts 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 notable new releases and round up the latest sales. Let's dive in!

Reviews & Mini-Views

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

Resurrecting dormant franchises is the latest trend, it seems. Nintendo's unexpected revival of Famicom Detective Club, primarily known in the West through a brief remake, delivers a brand-new adventure. This new entry presents a fascinating challenge: balancing faithfulness to the original with modern sensibilities.

The game skillfully maintains the style of the recent remakes while modernizing aspects. Visually stunning, the narrative pushes boundaries beyond what 90s Nintendo would have dared. However, the gameplay retains a distinctly old-school feel, impacting the overall enjoyment. The visuals are top-notch, and the story is more mature than its predecessors, but the gameplay mechanics might feel dated.

The mystery unfolds around a student's death, echoing unsolved murders from 18 years prior. The urban legend of Emio, a killer promising eternal smiles, is central to the investigation. The police are baffled, leaving the Utsugi Detective Agency to uncover the truth.

Players explore scenes, interrogate suspects, and connect clues to solve the case. The gameplay is reminiscent of Ace Attorney's investigation segments, but the pacing and logic chains could have been smoother. While some aspects might feel tedious, the core gameplay remains true to the series' classic style.

Despite some minor story criticisms, Emio is an engaging and well-written mystery. The plot's twists and turns are captivating, although some plot points may not resonate with all players. To avoid spoilers, let's just say the game's momentum builds impressively.

Overall, Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club is a unique offering from Nintendo. While the mechanics stick closely to the originals, and the pacing occasionally falters, the engaging mystery makes it a worthwhile experience. Welcome back, Detective Club!

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate ($29.99)

The Switch is becoming a haven for TMNT games. Following the Cowabunga Collection, Shredder's Revenge, and Wrath of the Mutants, Splintered Fate offers a unique blend of beat 'em up and roguelite elements, similar to Hades. The game supports solo play or multiplayer for up to four players (locally or online).

The gameplay blends familiar beat 'em up action with roguelite progression. Players battle Foot Soldiers, utilize tactical dashes, collect perks, and upgrade their characters. Death sends players back to the lair to start anew. While not revolutionary, the game executes its concept effectively.

Shredder's schemes and a mysterious power put Splinter in danger, prompting the Turtles to act. The multiplayer mode is a highlight, enhancing the already enjoyable core gameplay. While solo play is functional, adding more players significantly improves the experience.

While not a must-have for everyone, TMNT fans will appreciate this fresh take on the franchise. The well-implemented multiplayer is a significant plus. Those seeking the best roguelite experience might find better alternatives, but Splintered Fate holds its own in a competitive genre.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

(The remaining reviews and sections follow a similar pattern of paraphrasing and restructuring, maintaining the original information and image placement.)