Hello gaming enthusiasts! Welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 27th, 2024. Today's update begins with some exciting news, followed by a game review and a look at new releases. We'll wrap things up with our usual sales lists. Let's dive in!
News
Nintendo Direct/Indie World Showcase Recap
As predicted, Nintendo surprised us with a last-minute Nintendo Direct! The 40-minute presentation covered partner showcases and indie titles. While lacking first-party announcements and any news on the next-gen Switch, it still delivered some noteworthy reveals. 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)
This untranslated EGGCONSOLE release presents a familiar dilemma: is the game enjoyable despite the language barrier? Star Trader, a blend of Japanese adventure and side-scrolling shooter, falls short of greatness in both aspects. The adventure elements feature appealing artwork, but the gameplay is uneven. Quests reward you with money to upgrade your ship, crucial for navigating the challenging shooting stages.
The shooting segments, however, suffer from the PC-8801's limitations, resulting in choppy visuals. The game's structure is unclear, but Star Trader's intriguing premise outweighs its technical shortcomings. The text-heavy adventure sections significantly impact the experience for non-Japanese speakers, hindering both enjoyment and progress. While brute-forcing might be possible, it's not ideal.
Star Trader offers a glimpse into gaming history, showcasing Falcom's experimentation. However, the substantial Japanese text makes it difficult to recommend wholeheartedly. While some might find value in exploring its mechanics, the language barrier significantly diminishes 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 to eternal cleaning duty. Explore, battle foes with your broom, encounter quirky characters, and upgrade your abilities. A solid entry in the genre; fans of this style should definitely consider it.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Looking for colorful shooters or quirky mechanics? Check out the Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi. Don't miss out on the sale for 1000xRESIST! Other notable titles on sale include various Star Wars games, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and the Tomb Raider remastered collection. See the lists below!
Select New Sales
(List of new sales)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th
(List of expiring sales)
That's it for today! We'll be back tomorrow with a deeper dive into the Nintendo Direct announcements, plus new game releases, sales, and more reviews. Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!
