[Nintendo Switch] Review of Genso Manège

You might have come across Genso Manège, a fresh Otome visual novel brought to us by PQube, Mages, and Love and Art, which recently made its debut on the Nintendo Switch. Let’s delve into this fascinating journey in our Genso Manège review!

Set against the backdrop of a captivating take on France, this novel whisks you away to Blancbourg, a charming little town nestled near the eastern border. The town becomes the stage for the enchanting traveling amusement park, La Foire du Rêve, as it kicks off its new season. Stepping into the shoes of Emma, you’re about to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery, seeking truths about your own identity.

Emma’s adventure begins when she stumbles upon a magical secret about La Foire du Rêve. The extraordinary revelation? The amusement park’s staff are magically bound and unable to leave. But Emma, with her unique potential, can break this spell. Working at the park provides her the chance to regain the magical energy needed to free her colleagues. Yet, she’s grappling with a challenge: an accident has cost her nearly a decade’s worth of memories. What lost pieces of her past will she reclaim? Only playing the game will reveal the answers!

For those unfamiliar with visual novels, these games often emphasize immersive storytelling. Some narratives are linear, while others like Genso Manège offer choices that lead down varied paths, including potential romantic escapades. As an Otome visual novel, you’ll be embodying a female protagonist with the chance to explore romantic connections along the way, complemented by character voice acting, predominantly in Japanese.

Playing Genso Manège on the Nintendo Switch provides flexibility. You can use the Joy-Con controllers or the touchscreen in Tabletop or Portable Mode. Navigating with Joy-Con is straightforward—make choices with the analog sticks or D-Pad and confirm selections with the A button. Conversations proceed with the A button, though you can switch to Auto Mode with Y, letting dialogues flow without interruption.

In Genso Manège, rediscovering your magic coincides with engaging in a mini-game called the Éveil System. Here, you catch stars scattered randomly across your screen using physical controls or touch inputs. Capturing stars fills a gauge on-screen, and as a star-shaped outline moves to match a star in Emma’s hands, hitting the A button completes the mini-game. Don’t worry if mini-games aren’t your thing; after a tutorial, you can skip them with an automatic A rank for future segments.

As you navigate through Genso Manège, you’ll form bonds with intriguing characters like Hugo, Serge, Crier, Lyon, Luciole, and Arnaud. Hugo, leading the park, blends regal charm with a playful edge. Serge, his loyal accountant, conceals warmth beneath a reserved exterior. Teen performer Crier shows surprising compassion, particularly towards Emma. Mysterious Lyon remains in costume around the clock, piquing your curiosity about his identity. Reclusive mechanic Luciole shrouds himself in solitude, while Arnaud, Emma’s childhood friend, sparks nostalgia with shared memories.

As you venture deeper into Genso Manège, not only will you explore Blancbourg and La Foire du Rêve, but also unlock bonus content. The Extras section reveals a CG Library for memorable images, a Sound Library, a Clear List, and more special surprises we’ll leave for you to discover. Now available on Nintendo Switch, Genso Manège is priced at $49.99, offering a mesmerizing narrative journey for the curious.

Our review of Genso Manège was made possible by a Nintendo Switch copy provided by PQube. Immerse yourself and find out: will you unravel the mystery of your true self?