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 game review, a look at a new release, and the 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 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, unsurprisingly, no news about the next-generation Switch console. A detailed summary of the key reveals 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 is an intriguing, if not exceptional, title. Falcom blends an adventure game structure with side-scrolling shooter elements, but neither aspect truly shines. The adventure portion features appealing artwork, and the shooter's attempt at narrative integration is unique. Players interact with characters, undertake quests, and earn money to upgrade their ship, crucial for progressing through the 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 overall design is unclear, but Star Trader proves more interesting than genuinely good. The significant amount of Japanese text presents a major hurdle for Western players. While some aspects might be deciphered through gameplay, the lack of translation significantly hampers enjoyment. It's a fascinating historical artifact, but difficult to wholeheartedly recommend.
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 misbehaving. Players explore, battle enemies with a broom, encounter quirky characters, and overcome bosses. 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, the Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi are worth considering. Don't miss out on the sale for 1000xRESIST! Other noteworthy titles on sale include various Star Wars games, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and the Tomb Raider collection. Check out the lists below!
Select New Sales
Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th
That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for a deeper dive into the Nintendo Direct announcements, along with new game releases, sales, and more reviews. Have a great Tuesday!
