Home News > Arcade Digest: Emio Review, New Game Releases

Arcade Digest: Emio Review, New Game Releases

by Hunter Feb 13,2025

Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 5th, 2024! It's Thursday already – where does the time go? We're diving deep into reviews today, with analyses of 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. After that, we'll cover the day's noteworthy new releases and round things out with our usual sales lists. Let's get started!

Reviews & Mini-Views

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

Sequels to long-dormant franchises are all the rage, it seems. Nintendo's unexpected revival of Famicom Detective Club, primarily known in the West through a fleeting remake, is a prime example. This new entry marks the first brand-new Famicom Detective Club adventure in years, a welcome surprise.

The challenge in reviving an old IP lies in balancing faithfulness to the original with modern sensibilities. Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club largely retains the style of the recent remakes, staying true to its roots. The visuals are top-notch, and the narrative pushes boundaries beyond what 90s Nintendo would have dared. However, the gameplay feels distinctly old-school, a key factor in determining enjoyment.

The game centers on a student found dead, a smiling face on a paper bag his only calling card. This triggers a re-examination of similar unsolved murders from 18 years prior, raising intriguing questions about a legendary killer, Emio. The investigation falls to the Utsugi Detective Agency, tasked with uncovering the truth through meticulous scene investigation, interrogations, and connecting clues. The gameplay is reminiscent of the investigative sections in Ace Attorney. While engaging, some aspects could have been streamlined, with clearer signposting for certain logical connections.

Overall, despite some minor story criticisms, Emio – The Smiling Man is a captivating mystery. The plot is engaging and well-crafted, although certain plot points may not resonate with all players. The game's strengths outweigh its weaknesses, resulting in a highly enjoyable experience. Welcome back, Detective Club – don't vanish again so soon!

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate ($29.99)

The Switch is accumulating a solid collection of TMNT games. Splintered Fate offers a unique blend of beat 'em up and roguelite gameplay, similar to Hades. Playable solo or with up to four players locally or online, the multiplayer aspect enhances the experience considerably.

The story involves Shredder and a mysterious power, placing Splinter in danger. The Turtles must save him using their signature fighting skills. Gameplay involves combat, tactical dodging, perk collection, and permanent upgrades. Death means starting over, typical of the roguelite genre. While not groundbreaking, it's a solid entry, especially for TMNT fans.

Splintered Fate isn't a must-have for everyone, but TMNT enthusiasts will appreciate this fresh take. The well-implemented multiplayer is a highlight. While other excellent roguelites exist on Switch, Splintered Fate holds its own.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)

Nour: Play With Your Food is a unique, experimental food art experience. It's a playful sandbox for those who love food and art, but the Switch version has some drawbacks. The lack of touchscreen support is disappointing, and load times are lengthy. Despite these issues, it's a worthwhile experience for the right audience.

Nour is a welcome addition to the gaming landscape, offering a refreshing alternative to traditional games. While the Switch port isn't ideal, its portability makes it appealing. Hopefully, future DLC or a physical release will address the shortcomings. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Fate/stay night REMASTERED ($29.99)

Fate/stay night REMASTERED is a long-awaited remaster of the 2004 visual novel. This is arguably the best entry point into the Fate universe, offering a comprehensive experience for newcomers and veterans alike. The remaster boasts improved visuals, 16:9 support, and crucially, English language support. The sheer volume of content justifies the surprisingly low price.

Improvements over previous versions are significant, enhancing the overall experience. Touchscreen support on Switch is a welcome addition, making it ideal for handheld play. The game also runs flawlessly on Steam Deck.

Fate/stay night REMASTERED is a must-have for visual novel fans. Its availability in English on Switch and Steam is a major win. The low price makes it an even more 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. While TOKYO CHRONOS is enjoyable, ALTDEUS stands out with superior production values, writing, and characters. The Switch version includes touchscreen support and haptic feedback, enhancing immersion. However, some camera movement issues affect performance.

Despite minor narrative shortcomings and performance hiccups, the twin pack is a worthwhile purchase, especially for fans of sci-fi narratives. The demo is recommended to assess control preferences. -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. Features 24 songs from Miku and 30 from the Fitness Boxing series. Mechanically similar to other games in the series.