Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 27th, 2024! Today's update starts with some exciting news, followed by a review and a look at a new release. We'll wrap things up with our usual sales reports. Let's dive in!
News
Nintendo Direct/Indie World Showcase Recap
As predicted by some industry insiders, Nintendo surprised us with a last-minute Nintendo Direct! The 40-minute presentation, a blend of Partner Showcase and Indie World highlights, is now available for viewing above. A detailed summary of the key announcements will be provided tomorrow.
Reviews & Mini-Views
EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)
This untranslated EGGCONSOLE release presents a familiar dilemma: is the game enjoyable, and is it playable without Japanese language comprehension? Star Trader is an intriguing, albeit not exceptional, title. Falcom blends adventure game elements with side-scrolling shooter stages, but neither aspect shines particularly brightly. The adventure portion features appealing artwork, and the shooter's narrative approach is unique. Players primarily interact with characters, undertake quests, and earn money to upgrade their ship—crucial for navigating the action sequences.
The shooting segments, however, suffer from the PC-8801's limited scrolling capabilities, resulting in a choppy experience. The game's structure is unclear, but Star Trader proves more interesting than truly good. This leads to the crucial question of accessibility. The adventure sections are text-heavy, demanding player understanding for optimal progress. Without Japanese comprehension, players miss half the game and hinder their advancement due to insufficient credits. While brute-forcing is possible, it significantly detracts from the experience.
Star Trader offers a glimpse into gaming history, showcasing a developer venturing beyond their typical style. However, the abundance of Japanese text significantly limits its appeal to Western audiences. While some enjoyment might be gleaned through experimentation, a strong recommendation is difficult to justify.
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 for misbehavior. Pluto's eternal punishment? Cleaning! Players explore, battle enemies with a broom, encounter quirky characters, and progress through boss fights. Despite its familiar formula, Crypt Custodian delivers a surprisingly enjoyable experience for fans of the genre.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
For fans of colorful shooters with unique mechanics, I recommend the Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi. Don't miss out on 1000xRESIST—it's a must-buy! Other notable titles on sale include Star Wars games, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and Tomb Raider titles. Check the lists below for details!
Select New Sales
(List of new sales)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th
(List of expiring sales)
That concludes today's update. Join us tomorrow for a detailed Nintendo Direct recap, new game announcements, sales information, and possibly more reviews. Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!
