Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup 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 the usual sales information. 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 partner showcases and indie titles. While no first-party announcements were made, nor any news on the next Switch console, the show is now over, and you can watch the full video above. I'll share a detailed summary of the key highlights tomorrow.
Reviews & Mini-Views
EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)
These untranslated EGGCONSOLE releases always present the same challenge: is the game enjoyable, and is it playable without understanding Japanese? Star Trader is an interesting, albeit not outstanding, title. Falcom blends adventure game elements with side-scrolling shooter stages, but neither aspect truly shines. The adventure sections feature appealing artwork, and it's intriguing to see a shoot 'em up attempt narrative integration. Gameplay primarily involves interacting with characters, accepting quests, and earning money to upgrade your ship—crucial for progressing through the action sequences.
The shooting segments, however, suffer from the PC-8801's limitations, resulting in jerky, choppy scrolling. Even without the technical issues, the gameplay might not be exceptional. The game's structure is unclear, but Star Trader proves more intriguing than truly satisfying. This leads us to the language barrier. The adventure sections are text-heavy, and understanding the text is vital for optimal gameplay. Without understanding Japanese, you'll miss half the game and struggle to earn enough credits for ship upgrades. While you can still partially progress, it won't be a fun experience.
Star Trader offers a glimpse into gaming history, showcasing a developer experimenting outside their usual style. However, the substantial Japanese text significantly hinders enjoyment for Western players. While some might find it mildly 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 stars Pluto, a recently deceased cat, who's banished from the afterlife and sentenced to eternal cleaning duties. Explore, fight with your broom, meet quirky characters, battle bosses, and upgrade your 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 shoot 'em ups with unique mechanics, I recommend 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 lists below!
Select New Sales
(List of new sales - same as original input)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th
(List of expiring sales - same as original input)
That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for a recap of the Nintendo Direct, new game releases, sales, and more reviews. Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!
