Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 27th, 2024! Today's update begins with some exciting news, followed by a review, a new release highlight, and the usual sales updates. Let's dive in!
News
Nintendo Direct/Indie World Showcase Recap
As predicted by some insiders, Nintendo surprised us with a last-minute Nintendo Direct! The 40-minute presentation featured a Partner Showcase and an Indie World Showcase. While primarily focused on third-party titles and indie games, it lacked any major first-party announcements and, as expected, nothing regarding the next-generation Switch console. A detailed summary of the key announcements will be available tomorrow.
Reviews & Mini-Views
EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)
This untranslated EGGCONSOLE release presents a familiar dilemma: is the game enjoyable despite the language barrier? Star Trader blends adventure and side-scrolling shooter elements, but neither aspect truly shines. The adventure segments boast appealing artwork, offering a unique take on narrative integration within a shooter. Players engage in conversations, accept quests, and earn money to upgrade their ship, crucial for navigating the challenging shooting stages.
The shooting sections, however, suffer from the PC-8801's limited scrolling capabilities, resulting in a jerky, less-than-ideal experience. The game's structure is unclear, making it more intriguing than genuinely enjoyable. The significant amount of Japanese text in the adventure sections severely hinders accessibility for Western players, impacting both the narrative and gameplay progression. While some progress can be made through trial and error, a full appreciation is impossible without Japanese fluency. It's a fascinating historical artifact, but its enjoyment is significantly hampered by the language barrier.
Star Trader offers a glimpse into a developer's experimental work outside their usual genre. However, the extensive Japanese text makes it difficult to wholeheartedly recommend, despite its historical significance.
SwitchArcade Score: 3/5
Select New Releases
Crypt Custodian ($19.99)
This top-down action-adventure game follows Pluto, a recently deceased cat, banished from the afterlife and tasked with eternal cleaning duties. Players explore, battle enemies using a broom, encounter quirky characters, and overcome bosses while upgrading their abilities. It's a familiar formula, but executed well, making it a solid choice for fans of the genre.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
For fans of colorful shooters with unique mechanics, I highly recommend checking out the Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi. Also, don't miss out on the sale for 1000xRESIST – it's a must-buy! Other notable sales include various Star Wars titles, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and the Tomb Raider remastered collection. Check out the full lists below!
Select New Sales
(List of new sales)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th
(List of sales ending tomorrow)
That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for a more in-depth look at the Nintendo Direct announcements, along with new game releases, sales, and additional reviews. Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!
