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 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 featured a Partner Showcase and an Indie World Showcase. While primarily focusing on third-party titles and indie games, it was still packed with announcements. You can watch the full presentation above; a detailed summary of the key highlights will follow tomorrow.
Reviews & Mini-Views
EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)
The usual questions arise with these untranslated EGGCONSOLE releases: Is the game enjoyable, and is it playable without knowing Japanese? Star Trader is intriguing but not outstanding. Falcom blends an adventure game with side-scrolling shooter elements, but neither aspect shines. The adventure sections feature decent artwork, and the shooter's attempt at storytelling is unique. Players interact with characters, undertake quests, and earn money to upgrade their ship, crucial for navigating the shooting stages.
The shooter 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 curious than truly compelling. The text-heavy adventure parts require player understanding of Japanese, significantly hindering enjoyment for Western audiences. While some progress is possible through trial and error, the overall experience is compromised.
Star Trader offers a glimpse into gaming history, showcasing a developer experimenting outside their usual style. However, the extensive Japanese text makes it difficult to recommend wholeheartedly. It might appeal to those interested in retro gaming curiosities, but the language barrier presents a significant hurdle.
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. Explore, battle enemies with a broom, encounter quirky characters, defeat bosses, and upgrade abilities. While familiar in its gameplay, 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, check out the Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi. Don't miss out on 1000xRESIST – it's a must-buy! Other notable sales include Star Wars titles, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and Tomb Raider games. Browse the lists below for more deals!
Select New Sales
Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th
That's all for today! We'll return tomorrow with a more in-depth look at the Nintendo Direct announcements, along with new game releases, sales, and reviews. Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!
