In this short and sweet edition of RPGs Coming This Week: two unlikely sequels! We’re unreasonably excited for both of these, and here’s why you should be too!
Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club – August 29th (Switch)
Who would have guessed that Nintendo would resurrect the Famicom Detective Club series 30 years later? Well, definitely not me. It’s never been part of my Nintendo Direct bingo cards throughout the years, and I’m sure a lot of longtime fans didn’t see Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club coming either, and so soon.
Similar to The Girl Who Stands Behind and The Missing Heir, Emio – The Smiling Man stands alone as a brutal murder mystery that promises to put your detective instincts to the test. The titular serial killer covers each victim’s head with a smiley-faced paper bag, believing that to grant a “smile that will last forever.” Quite unsettling and puzzling, isn’t it? If you want to start digging for clues, there’s a free, three-episode demo on Switch.
by Tin Manuel
Visions of Mana – August 29th (PS5, XSX, PS4, XB1, Windows)
I struggle to name a more visually arresting game than Visions of Mana. Since it was unveiled last year, I’ve been left slack-jawed by every new bit of promotion. The lush and vivid scenery, and the overall gentle and tasteful design approach just satisfies my eyes. Square Enix understands that reviving the Mana series hinges on getting the aesthetic just right, and I think the results speak for themselves.
Really, there isn’t much left to say that our hands-on doesn’t already go over. Izzy wrote that the demo environments aren’t the best the game offers, and I’m inclined to agree. I also thought the combat was slow, which wasn’t helped by the fact that protagonist Val was on a relatively slow melee class. Minor gripes aside, I came away with a strong impression of Visions of Mana, and I’m eager to grab the full game coming this week.
by Gio Castillo
Also Coming This Week
WitchSpring R – August 29th (PS5, XB1, Switch)
Steam users have given WitchSpring R an overwhelmingly positive reception since it launched last year. Here at RPGFan, our own Des Miller wrote that it ticks all the Atelier boxes, yet it forges its own path and identity. Now, console players won’t have to wait any longer to experience what developer KiwiWalks has to offer.
by Tin Manuel
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