In a new post on Twitter, French indie studio Nova-box announced a remake of their mobile visual novel Echoes. Although Nova-box didn’t confirm an exact release date, the studio did set a release window for May 2024. Since May is swiftly approaching, the game will likely launch later in the month.
In Echoes, players follow clues in the small town of Greenhearth, set in the American Northwest. After digging up clues using point-and-click mechanics, you’ll question persons of interest, making choices that impact the story. There are five episodes, featuring totally unique hand-drawn art styles.
The Echoes remake will be available on PC and Nintendo Switch. In a follow-up tweet, Nova-box revealed that the remake boasts a full script rewrite, remastered and expanded audio, and new visual assets.
I’ve always been a fool for hand-drawn artwork, and Nova-box regularly delivers some of the best art design in the genre. Their previous interactive novels, such as Along the Edge and Across the Grooves, feature truly creative and dramatic imagery.
So, fans of Nova-box are surely pleased that Echoes is making such a triumphant return after so many years. A decade after the mobile release, most players probably aren’t aware of the indie. In fact, I haven’t played the game, myself.
And adding the Nintendo Switch platform is certain to win over more mainstream players, who may not be so familiar with the point-and-click genre.
Introducing multiple art styles for the same story, which the official Steam page teases will turn into an 80’s horror flick at one point, was always a bold move. It may not be very easy to warm up to for newcomers.
But the plot and characters seem comparable to Twin Peaks and Alan Wake. So, the Eldritch themes and small-town crime are surely accessible. Ideally, the dialogue and storytelling will sparkle enough to meet the standards of the visuals.
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