Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for August 27th, 2024! Today's update starts with some exciting news, followed by a game review and a look at a new release. We'll wrap things up with our usual sales updates. 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 covered both partner showcases and indie titles. While primarily focused on third-party games, it certainly held some surprises. You can watch the full presentation above; I'll provide a detailed summary of the key announcements tomorrow.
Reviews & Mini-Views
EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)
This untranslated EGGCONSOLE release poses the usual questions: Is the game itself enjoyable? And is it playable without knowing Japanese? Star Trader is an intriguing, if not outstanding, title. Falcom's blend of Japanese adventure game elements and side-scrolling shooter stages is uneven. The adventure sections feature appealing artwork, offering a unique perspective on narrative-driven shooters. Players interact with characters, accept quests, and earn money to upgrade their ship – crucial for navigating the action sequences.
The shooting segments, however, suffer from the PC-8801's limitations, resulting in jerky scrolling. Even with smooth movement, the gameplay might not be exceptional. The game's structure is unclear, but Star Trader remains more captivating than truly excellent. This leads to the second question: The text-heavy adventure sections require player input to optimize outcomes. Without understanding Japanese, players miss a significant portion of the game and struggle to earn enough credits for ship upgrades. While more manageable than some EGGCONSOLE releases, it's far from an optimal experience.
Star Trader offers a glimpse into gaming history, showcasing a developer venturing beyond their usual style. However, the abundance of Japanese text significantly hinders enjoyment for Western audiences. While some might find it engaging, a strong recommendation is difficult to give.
SwitchArcade Score: 3/5
Select New Releases
Crypt Custodian ($19.99)
This top-down action-adventure game features Pluto, a recently deceased cat, banished from the afterlife and tasked with eternal cleaning duties. Explore, battle enemies with a broom, encounter unique characters, defeat bosses, and upgrade abilities. It's a familiar formula, but executed well. Fans of the genre should definitely check it out.
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 some Tomb Raider titles. Check out the lists below for more details!
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 detailed Nintendo Direct recap, new game releases, sales updates, and possibly some additional reviews. Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!
Latest Downloads
Downlaod
Top News
