Review: Genso Manège for Nintendo Switch

Embark on an enchanting adventure with Genso Manège, the newest Otome visual novel from PQube, Mages, and Love and Art, now available on the Nintendo Switch. Set against the backdrop of a France reimagined, the story unfolds in Blancbourg, a quaint town near the eastern border, where the magical amusement park La Foire du Rêve is about to kick off its new season. Meet Emma, the main character on a quest to uncover her true identity.

As you delve into Emma’s world, you’ll discover that the charming amusement park holds a secret. The people working there are caught in a mysterious spell, preventing them from leaving. Remarkably, only Emma possesses the unique magic to release them, but first, she’ll need to earn back her abilities while working at the park. With her memory of the last decade marred by an accident, what Emma unfolds about herself is a mystery that only playing the game can reveal!

For those stepping into the realms of visual novels for the first time, it’s a narrative-driven genre where you make choices that can shape the story’s outcome, guiding Emma toward potential romantic connections. Genso Manège, like other Otome visual novels, features voiceovers, typically in Japanese, and centers around a female protagonist on her journey of love and discovery.

Playing on the Nintendo Switch, you can use traditional controls or the touchscreen, enhancing the experience in whichever mode you prefer. Use the Joy-Con for decisions with the analog sticks or D-Pad, confirming actions with the A button, or set it to Auto Mode by pressing Y and watch the story unfold.

The game includes the Éveil System, a fun mini-game where you collect stars on the screen using either controls or touch. Gathering these stars fills up a gauge, prompting a star outline to grow and shrink towards Emma’s star. Align them perfectly by pressing the A button to complete the activity. Don’t worry if mini-games aren’t your thing – they can be skipped after the tutorial, automatically granting you an A rank for any skipped challenge.

You’ll get to know six intriguing characters as you progress through the narrative. Meet Hugo, the dashing Director of La Foire du Rêve; Serge, his stoic right-hand man and accountant; and the young yet charismatic performer, Crier. Discover Lyon, the ever-costumed mascot whose identity is shrouded in mystery; Luciole, the reserved mechanic hiding away in his tent; and Arnaud, a nostalgic connection as Emma’s childhood friend and a local journalist.

Genso Manège transports you to a dreamy corner of France to explore love and self-discovery as Emma unravels truths about herself and others. Dive deeper into the game by checking out its Extras section for special images, soundtrack listings, and surprises I won’t spoil here. Priced at $49.99, Genso Manège is now available on the Nintendo Switch.

This review of Genso Manège is based on a Nintendo Switch version provided by PQube. So, will you help Emma solve the mystery of her past and where her future leads? Give this spellbinding journey a try and find out!