Genso Manège has recently debuted on the Nintendo Switch, brought to us by PQube, Mages, and Love and Art. This captivating Otome visual novel unfurls its tale in a reimagined version of France, nestled near the eastern border in a quaint town called Blancbourg. As the story unfolds, the traveling amusement park known as La Foire du Rêve prepares to kick off its new season. Players take on the role of Emma, embarking on an intriguing journey of self-discovery and unveiling the mysteries of her past.
As Emma mingles with the charismatic cast of La Foire du Rêve, she uncovers an enthralling secret: the park’s members are inexplicably trapped by a magical force, preventing them from leaving. Only Emma holds the power to break this spell, but the task demands she regains lost magical abilities. The journey is especially challenging given that a previous accident has erased roughly a decade of her memories. Curiosity piqued? You’ll need to delve into the game to unveil the twists and turns of this enthralling narrative.
Visual novels, especially Otome ones like Genso Manège, revolve around storytelling. While some games in the genre offer straightforward narratives, others spice things up with choices that lead to multiple story paths and romantic entanglements. Genso Manège offers voice acting, typically in Japanese, enhancing immersion. In this Otome tale, as Emma, you’ll guide her through various romantic adventures.
The flexibility of the Nintendo Switch shines through in Genso Manège. You can play with Joy-Cons or utilize the console’s touchscreen, whether docked, in tabletop mode, or on the handheld Nintendo Switch Lite. When using the Joy-Cons, navigate through options using the analog sticks or the D-Pad and confirm your decisions with the A button. Transition between dialogues by pressing A, or sit back and enjoy with Auto Mode activated via the Y button.
A delightful mini-game, Éveil System, awaits in your magical journey. This segment involves collecting stars that magically appear on the screen. Physical or touch controls help capture these stars, which fill up a gauge. Once filled, a star-shaped outline develops and shrinks, requiring a precise A button press when the outline aligns with the star Emma holds. Not a fan of mini-games? No worries—you can skip this after the tutorial, always earning an A rank if you choose to bypass later challenges.
As for the colorful cast of characters Emma will meet, they include Hugo, Serge, Crier, Lyon, Luciole, and Arnaud. Hugo, the director of La Foire du Rêve, is a charming 25-year-old with a royal demeanor and occasional mischief. His right-hand man Serge, aged 27, though often reserved, holds depths waiting to be explored. Eighteen-year-old Crier, the star performer, surprises with his warmth, especially towards Emma. Lyon, always donned in costume as the amusement park’s mascot, is a complete enigma—uncover his secrets down his narrative path. Luciole, a taciturn 21-year-old mechanic, is more comfortable in the solitude of his tent. Lastly, Arnaud, the 19-year-old journalist and Emma’s childhood friend from Blancbourg, brings nostalgic elements to the story.
Genso Manège offers more than just an enchanting storyline—it also includes bonus content. The Extras section features a CG Library, Sound Library, a Clear List, and a Special section packed with treats for players that you’ll have to discover for yourself. Ready to embark on this magical journey? You can grab Genso Manège on Nintendo Switch today, priced at $49.99.
Note: This review of Genso Manège is based on a Nintendo Switch copy provided by PQube.
