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 game review and a look at a fresh release. We'll wrap things up with the usual sales reports. Let's dive in!
News
Nintendo Direct/Indie World Showcase Recap
As predicted by some sources, Nintendo surprised us with a last-minute Nintendo Direct! The 40-minute presentation covered both Partner and Indie World showcases. While first-party titles and news about the next-generation Switch were absent, the show delivered plenty of other announcements. You can watch the full presentation above; a detailed summary of the key highlights will be available tomorrow.
Reviews & Mini-Views
EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)
The usual questions arise with untranslated EGGCONSOLE releases: Is the game enjoyable, and is it playable without knowing Japanese? Star Trader presents an intriguing blend of Japanese adventure and side-scrolling shooter elements, but neither aspect truly shines. The adventure sections feature attractive artwork and a unique storytelling approach within the shoot 'em up format. Players interact with characters, accept quests, and earn money to upgrade their ship, crucial for navigating the action sequences.
The shooting stages, however, suffer from the PC-8801's limited scrolling capabilities, resulting in a jerky, subpar experience. The game's structure is unclear, but Star Trader offers more curiosity than genuine quality. This leads to the second question: The adventure segments are heavily text-based, requiring player comprehension for optimal progress. Without Japanese proficiency, players miss a significant portion of the game, hindering their ability to earn the credits needed for ship upgrades. While brute-forcing is possible, it significantly detracts from the overall experience.
Star Trader offers a glimpse into gaming history, showcasing a developer venturing outside their typical style. However, the substantial Japanese text makes it difficult to recommend wholeheartedly to a Western audience. While some enjoyment might be gleaned through experimentation, the language barrier significantly impacts the overall experience.
SwitchArcade Score: 3/5
Select New Releases
Crypt Custodian ($19.99)
This top-down action-adventure follows Pluto, a recently deceased cat banished from the afterlife for a mishap. Pluto's eternal punishment? Cleaning! Players explore, battle enemies with a broom, meet eccentric 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 suggest checking out the Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi. Don't miss out on 1000xRESIST – it's a must-buy! Other noteworthy titles on sale include Star Wars games, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and some Tomb Raider titles. Check out the full lists below!
Select New Sales
(List of new sales)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th
(List of expiring sales)
That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for a recap of the Nintendo Direct, new game releases, sales updates, and more reviews. Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!
