Tag: featured

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for November 4th, 2022. Our pal Mikhail came through big, so we’ve got two reviews for you to check out today. The hot-as-heck first-person shooter Prodeus and long-in-development Ghost Song get their time in the Judgment Chair. After that, we head into the new releases of the day. The highlights are It Takes Two and Harvestella, but there’s plenty to consider. Finally, we’ve got the usual lists of new and outgoing sales. Let’s close out the week!

Reviews & Mini-Views

Prodeus ($24.99)

It has been quite the ride for Nintendo Switch owners who have wanted to play Prodeus, the old-school first-person shooter with a modern twist. If you’ve not kept up with it, Prodeus launched in early access on Steam a while ago, and it finally released on Nintendo Switch last week following a wrong build being uploaded to the eShop. Just like Dusk, Prodeus is a shockingly good first-person shooter that deserves to be on your Switch if you’re a fan of the genre.

While I did play Prodeus through its early access release, I only properly got deep into it closer to the PC version’s launch a few weeks ago. Having played it on Xbox Series X, my laptop, Steam Deck, and now Nintendo Switch, I’m blown away by almost everything in Prodeus, and only have a few issues with it on Nintendo Switch right now.

In addition to the hand-crafted campaign that is mostly brilliant with a few annoyances later on, you have access to multiplayer, and community created levels giving you tons of content right off the bat. While you could just play the awesome campaign, the multiplayer and created levels are superb. A few of the screenshots I’ve used in this review are from community created levels.

In a lot of ways, Prodeus reminds me of Octopath Traveler. I know that may sound shocking, but hear me out. Octopath Traveler took modern rendering and effects to old school pixel art and blended them together for a striking aesthetic. Prodeus is like that for old-school shooters. It uses modern rendering and effects bur still stays true to feeling like a “boomer shooter” if you may. It excels in what it sets out to do visually, and oozes atmosphere.

Beyond the style, Prodeus controls like a dream. Guns feel great, and it just feels like a brilliantly designed and polished shooter that is underpriced in its current state for what you get here. I just wish there was gyro support to make it feel like a more complete package when it comes to the Switch version.

Visually, Prodeus looks great on Nintendo Switch across the board. The performance is where things are a bit iffy. I hope a future update can add a 30fps cap because the performance is a bit too unstable for my liking in some situations. In situations like this, the Steam Deck version is a lot better. If you aren’t too bothered by a fluctuating frame rate, this will not be an issue for you. I can see it being a big problem at higher difficulty levels though.

On the audio side of things, Prodeus might have one of Andrew Hulshult’s best soundtracks yet. The music is sublime, and the audio design overall is basically perfect. He really knocked it out of the park with this soundtrack. I’ve been listening to it quite a bit recently outside the game as well.

Aside from the performance issues, my main issue with Prodeus on Switch is the lack of gyro aiming support. First-person or third-person games benefit a lot from gyro controls on Switch, and I hope Prodeus adds them in a potential future update.

While I do enjoy comparing different platforms to help you decide where you should grab a specific game, Prodeus having cross platform sync with ProNet (in-game account) means I recommend grabbing it on everything if you have the means to. It is that good. The Switch version isn’t as smooth as Steam Deck, but the developers have done a very good job with it. Hopefully performance can be improved or a 30fps cap can be added in the future.

While the Switch performance isn’t perfect, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a ton of fun throughout my time with Prodeus on Nintendo Switch. I love being able to sync across Steam Deck, my laptop, and Nintendo Switch thanks to the in-game account, and having access to the complete experience with no compromises on the content side on Nintendo Switch makes this an essential for first-person shooter fans. Games like Prodeus and DUSK are absolutely gems that you owe it to yourself to play if you, like me, enjoyed Doom back in the day. Now I just need a vinyl soundtrack announced to go alongside the physical release coming. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Ghost Song ($19.99)

When I was offered a review code for Humble Games and Old Moon’s Ghost Song, I was intrigued by the premise and the gameplay trailer. Having now played it on Steam and Nintendo Switch, the atmospheric 2D Metroidvania ended up addressing some of my issues with recent games in the genre, but also manages to stand on its own thanks to its gorgeous world, the atmosphere, and narrative. While it does borrow from a few other games, Ghost Song does enough to be worth checking out.

I actually had no idea that Ghost Song was a game in development for so long when I started playing it on Steam. I was floored at how good many aspects of it are, and despite some issues, it is now one of the better games I’ve played this year. I also regret not paying attention to it sooner because Ghost Song visually is exactly what I want from a Metroidvania. Sadly, Ghost Song on Switch is a bit lacking when it comes to performance.

When I first started playing Ghost Song, I found the movement a bit jarring, but quickly got into the flow of the combat and exploration. I’m glad I was wrong when I initially felt like it might just be trying to ape other games in the genre, because Ghost Song feels like a blend of a genre greatest hits experience and its own thing. You also have access to an easier difficulty option, but keep in mind that you can’t swap in a save once you begin playing.

Visually, Ghost Song is gorgeous. I really am shocked at how good the enemy designs, environments, and some of the animations are in Ghost Song. Another highlight as a part of the sound design is the soundtrack by Grant Graham. It definitely elevates the experience and is worth checking out even once you’re done with the game.

The only thing holding me back from wholeheartedly recommending Ghost Song to everyone is the performance on Nintendo Switch. I had already finished Ghost Song on PC before I played it on Switch for this review, and it was a better experience there. I hope these performance issues can be addressed because Ghost Song definitely feels perfect for Nintendo Switch. Right now, the game itself is an easy recommendation, but the Nintendo Switch version needs a bit of work. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

New Releases

It Takes Two ($39.99)

The award-winning co-op platformer comes to Switch in this port. You can play with another player via local or online multiplayer, and the second player doesn’t even need to own the game so long as you do. I want to make it very clear: this game requires two players. You can’t play alone. Right there in the title. It takes two. Provided you can check that box off, this is a well-made, sometimes uncomfortable tale of a broken relationship and how it can be fixed through the magic of fantasy and wishing hard enough.

Harvestella ($59.99)

I’m amused at the excessive use of quotation marks in this game’s eShop description. Imagine Dr. Evil reading it and doing the finger quotes for each instance for extra laughs. Anyway, this is a farming RPG from Square Enix. Final Farmtasy, if you will. It seems to work a lot like most other farming RPGs, but it has shiny graphics and an epic story with lots of fancy made-up terms to describe things. I haven’t been able to dig into the game, so I can’t really say if it’s a must-have or not at this point. I will say that Square Enix seems to have put a whole-butt effort into it, and that tends to bode well for the resulting quality.

Stack Up! (or dive trying) ($9.99)

The idea here is that you need to stay above the rising water by building stacks to keep climbing upwards. You can play alone or hop online to play with up to four players. You can unlock new hats and hammers to customize your character with. This strikes me as something that might be more fun in local multiplayer, but at least it has multiplayer.

From Space ($14.99)

Phew, that’s a lot of pink. This is a top-down shooter where you have to save the Earth from hordes of pink aliens. Up to four players can team up via online multiplayer, and there are lots of different characters to pick from so that everyone can have their own thing going on. A bunch of weapons, level-ups, special abilities… you probably know how this kind of game works by now. This is one of them, and a fairly well-made one at that. But very pink!

Bratz: Flaunt Your Fashion ($39.99)

Gee, Outright Games is just cranking them out lately. Here’s a game based on the popular toy line. Play as Sasha, Jade, Cloe, or Yasmin as you go on a fashion adventure. Chase style stories, play some mini-games, complete side-quests, and use the money you earn to customize your character with new threads. Clearly not aimed at an old guy like me, but maybe you have a Bratz fan in the house that will appreciate it.

Aeterna Noctis ($29.99)

I could have sworn this was already released, but I guess not. It’s a Metroidvania-style exploratory platformer with an emphasis on combat. If that sounds a lot like Hollow Knight, well… I think that’s probably one of the inspirations here. It’s kind of got that problem where it’s not really dropping the ball in any way but also isn’t doing anything interesting enough to stand out. Fans of the genre will probably enjoy it anyway.

7 Days of Rose ($4.99)

Michael is a normal boring high schooler who takes a one-week trip to a tropical island in this visual novel. There, he meets a girl named Rose who flips his world upside-down. He’s only got seven days with her, but what secrets does she hide behind her smile? There are three different endings based on the choices you make throughout the game.

Sakura MMO 3 ($9.99)

This third game in the visual novel series concludes the story of Viola and her quest in the fantasy world of Asaph Online. The fallen goddess Iona has arrived, and she means to end the world. Only Viola can stand between her ambitions and total destruction. Make your choices and see how it all ends up!

Arcade Archives Itazura Tenshi ($7.99)

We’re heading into the bushes again for this week’s Arcade Archives. Hamster’s pulled a Nichibutsu game from the pile of defunct company IP it owns, and it’s the 1984 release Itazura Tenshi. You play as an angel that needs to restore constellations by joining their stars, while fending off enemy attacks. Others have compared it to Namco’s Bosconian, and I reckon I will too. It’s not bad, though the jingle every time you fix a constellation really gets annoying after a few minutes.

Weedcraft Inc ($24.99)

We’ve come so far from the days where cigarettes and beer had to be censored in the localization process, haven’t we? Now we have full-on marijuana business sims on our game consoles, right there next to Mario and Pikachu. Anyway, this is a very detailed sim that goes a lot deeper than just growing weed. It’s as much about the business of it all as it is creating the product. It’s a bit on the repetitive side, so unless you’ve got a special interest in the subject matter you’re probably going to get tired of it pretty quickly.

Volleyball Trainer: The Legend of Sports ($3.99)

Oh joy, Cooking & Publishing is back. This one claims to be a mash-up of a card game and arcade-style mini-games, and that appears to check out. Play your cards to give yourself the edge in the mini-games and train your volleyball team. Probably not very much meat on the bone here, but I’m not dropping four bucks to find out.

Snow Madness ($9.99)

This is a pretty shameless copy of Toaplan’s Snow Bros., which is also available on Switch via a remake. And I really do mean it when I call it a copy. It even uses some of the same level layouts. Personally, I don’t want to reward such behaviors with my money. You can do what you like.

Mission Commando ($3.99)

More complete junk from Pix Arts. More than likely cobbled together from a Unity Asset Store template of some kind, but I can’t be bothered to search it out. It’s a run-and-gun in the vein of games like Contra and Metal Slug, which is about the same as saying I’m a sprinter in the vein of athletes like Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay. Look, find a few more dollars and treat yourself to a Metal Slug game. You deserve better.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Honestly, I expected a bigger list. But this is good. Tribute Games is having a spicy sale with new low prices on the likes of Flinthook, Panzer Paladin, and Steel Assault. There are a few Kairosoft sims on sale, some Game Mill stuff, and a few other odds and ends like Eastward. There isn’t too much in the weekend outbox, but if you’re checking one list anyway you might as well check both.

Select New Games on Sale

Panzer Paladin ($7.99 from $19.99 until 11/7)
Steel Assault ($5.99 from $14.99 until 11/7)
Mercenary Kings: RE ($7.99 from $19.99 until 11/7)
Flinthook ($5.99 from $14.99 until 11/7)
Wizorb ($3.74 from $4.99 until 11/7)
Innocence Island ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/10)
Rush Rally 3 ($7.49 from $14.99 until 11/11)
Concordia Digital Edition ($14.99 from $24.99 until 11/11)
Pirated Code: Admin Edition ($9.89 from $10.99 until 11/12)
Writhe ($2.49 from $9.99 until 11/14)
Sudoku Zenkai ($3.49 from $4.99 until 11/14)
Winds of Change ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/17)
WARSAW ($3.99 from $19.99 until 11/17)
Dead or School ($8.99 from $29.99 until 11/17)
Assault Gunners HD Edition ($4.99 from $9.99 until 11/17)

Letterbox by POWGI ($3.99 from $7.99 until 11/18)
Eastward ($14.99 from $24.99 until 11/18)
From Space ($11.99 from $14.99 until 11/18)
Super Cyborg ($2.99 from $6.99 until 11/22)
Nerf Legends Digital Deluxe ($11.99 from $59.99 until 11/24)
Street Outlaws 2 Digital Deluxe ($11.99 from $59.99 until 11/24)
NHRA Championship Racing ($24.99 from $49.99 until 11/24)
NHRA Championship Racing Deluxe ($29.99 from $59.99 until 11/24)
NHRA Championship Racing Ult. ($39.99 from $79.99 until 11/24)
Mutant Mudds Collection ($4.99 from $19.99 until 11/24)
Xeodrifter ($4.99 from $9.99 until 11/24)
Soccer Slammers ($4.99 from $9.99 until 11/24)
Basketball Club Story ($7.00 from $14.00 until 11/24)
Tennis Club Story ($7.00 from $14.00 until 11/24)
Boxing Gym Story ($8.40 from $14.00 until 11/24)

Bot Vice ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/24)
Fashion Princess ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/24)
Magic Code ($1.99 from $12.48 until 11/24)
They Bleed Pixels ($1.99 from $14.99 until 11/24)
Monster Destroyer ($3.56 from $7.13 until 11/24)
Multi Race: Match the Car ($2.99 from $9.99 until 11/25)

Sales Ending This Weekend

.cat ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/5)
Aerial_Knight’s Never Yield ($5.99 from $11.99 until 11/5)
Asterix & Obelix XXL 3 ($4.49 from $29.99 until 11/5)
Dadish 3 ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/5)
Escape Game Fort Boyard 2022 ($17.99 from $29.99 until 11/5)
Fireworks ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/5)
Garfield Kart Furious Racing ($4.49 from $29.99 until 11/5)
My Universe: Green Adventure ($17.99 from $29.99 until 11/5)
Syberia ($2.23 from $14.99 until 11/5)
The Quest for Excalibur Puy de Fou ($17.99 from $29.99 until 11/5)
The Smurfs Mission Vileaf ($19.99 from $39.99 until 11/5)
Animal Rivals: Up in the Air ($5.39 from $11.99 until 11/6)
Cardaclysm Shards of the Four ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/6)
Colt Canyon ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/6)
Flewfie’s Adventure ($5.99 from $9.99 until 11/6)

Into the Dark ($17.49 from $24.99 until 11/6)
Kosmonavtes Academy Escape ($1.99 from $5.99 until 11/6)
Kosmonavtes Escape Reality ($1.99 from $3.99 until 11/6)
Outbuddies DX ($5.39 from $17.99 until 11/6)
Panmorphia ($1.99 from $5.99 until 11/6)
Panmorphia Awakened ($2.99 from $6.99 until 11/6)
Panmorphia Enchanted ($1.99 from $3.99 until 11/6)
Pinku Kult: Hex Mortis ($5.99 from $9.99 until 11/6)
Pixel Heroes Mega Byte & Magic ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/6)
Pixel Puzzle Makeout League ($3.74 from $14.99 until 11/6)
Pumpkin Jack ($11.99 from $29.99 until 11/6)
Silver Chains ($7.49 from $24.99 until 11/6)
Squeakers ($1.99 from $2.99 until 11/6)
Squeakers II ($1.99 from $2.99 until 11/6)
The Coma 2: Vicious Sisters ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/6)
The Coma: Recut ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/6)
Words Puzzles 3 in 1 ($3.59 from $3.99 until 11/6)

That’s all for today and this week, friends. We’ll be back next week with a ton of great new games like Sonic Frontiers, Sifu, Tactics Ogre: Reborn, and Atari 50. There will be more reviews, more sales, some news, and a lot of laughs. Okay, maybe tears. We’ll see. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and as always, thanks for reading!

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for November 3rd, 2022. It’s Thursday, and we’ve got a lot of games to look at. Some very good, some very bad, and a whole lot in between. We’ve got summaries of all of them, plus the latest sales and expiring discounts. There’s plenty to cover, so let’s get on the road!

New Releases

Totally Accurate Battle Simulator ($19.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

After a bit of a delay, Totally Accurate Battle Simulator‘s Switch version is apparently ready to go. If you’re not familiar with this game, it’s a goofy battle simulator that play out with ragdoll physics in full effect. There are more than one hundred different types of units, several modes of play, and support for local and online multiplayer. I can’t speak to the quality of this port, but as long nothing went wrong in the process this will likely become as popular on Switch as it did elsewhere.

Mecha Ritz: Steel Rondo ($14.99)

Here’s another shoot-em-up from publisher Hanaji Games, this time developed by HEY. It’s a vertical shooter with plenty of bullet hell spices. You get a whopping fifteen stages to play, with forty different bosses to fight. There are multiple playable Mechas, branching paths, and a number of different endings, lending the game considerable replay value even if you aren’t interested in score attacking. The only real knock I have on it so far is the lack of online leaderboards. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.

Godlike Burger ($19.99)

This might seem like another restaurant sim/time management affair, and it does have that component. But there’s an extra twist here in that the meat you use in your dishes comes from the customers themselves. You have to kill them in various ways, and do it all without anyone noticing. If you catch the attention of the police, you’ll have to hightail it to another part of the galaxy. Right, it uses a science-fiction theme. It would probably be a little too macabre if it was more grounded, but since the customers are all aliens, eat up!

Pilgrims ($4.99)

An affordable, neat little adventure game from the folks behind Machinarium and Samorost. Wander the land, meet new friends, and help them out where you can. It’s fairly open-ended, and the charming presentation makes it easy to like. If you’ve only got a little money today, this would be a solid way to spend it.

Pirated Code: Admin Edition ($10.99)

An expanded edition of a visual novel made for a game jam. It follows the story of an advanced AI that wakes up and finds themselves installed as the co-pilot of a smuggling ship. This isn’t what they were built for, but their memory is foggy. Interact with the crewmates of the ship, make choices, and reach multiple endings based on those choices. Certainly a unique set-up, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested in how it all ends.

Run Box Run ($4.99)

I remember the days when a new Renegade Kid/Atooi release would roll in with a lot of hype, but here’s the developer’s latest arriving with very little noise at all. It’s a platformer that is largely meant to be enjoyed online with other players. Up to eight can play at once online, in fact. It’s not very expensive, so if you think you’ll be able to find people to play with you may want to give it a chance.

ENOH ($10.99)

Another first-person horror game. The game’s title is ENOH (which translates to something like “false accusation” or “perverse hatred”) but it calls itself The Grudge in its description, so you know what kind of thing it’s aiming at. The setting is a dark and spooky high school, and you’re a medium that is trying to exorcise the spirits within. You do that by placing a sacred card in each classroom, which you must do while avoiding the wrath of the spirits. As ever, I am a giant baby about horror so that’s really all I can tell you.

Space Tail: Every Journey Leads Home ($19.99)

This is a platforming adventure game about a dog astronaut who visits various worlds on a journey that I hope leads her home. She’ll meet creatures from other worlds, and has to communicate with them in the way that dogs can. As you explore you’ll unlock new moves and companions who will join you on your adventures. I’m intrigued by this one, so I’ll be delivering a review sooner or later.

How To Say Goodbye ($12.99)

A narrative puzzle game that deals with the topic of grief and acceptance. You play as a recently-departed spirit who must work together with other spirits to reach the exit in each stage. The art style of the game is inspired by illustrated books, and it certainly has a distinct look. I guess if you need some catharsis today this might be helpful?

Ghost Song ($19.99)

Anyone ready for another bleak Metroidvania with Souls-like mechanics? Well, if you’re going to cover heavily-trodden ground, the least you can do is make it good. And Ghost Song is indeed good. It’s very good. It has some interesting ideas, both in terms of story and mechanics, that keep it from feeling too much like the same old thing. I don’t know that it does enough to convince anyone that is fully burnt out on the broad concept, but it’s assuredly worth investigating. I think Mikhail is going to review this one for us.

Master Spy ($9.99)

This is an arcade-ish stealth game with more than fifty levels to sneak through. Beyond the obvious techniques, you also have a cloaking suit to help you with your mission. You can also find some secret levels, and uncovering them will change the game’s story. I really dig the pixel art in this one.

The Samurai Collection (QUByte Classics) ($9.99)

Another retro rerelease courtesy of QUByte and Piko, this time offering up two distinct games. First Samurai and Second Samurai were originally Amiga games, and they were quite well-received at the time. They were later ported to consoles, and that’s what we’ve got here. I believe First Samurai is the Super NES version while Second Samurai is the Genesis/Mega Drive version. It uses the usual QUByte wrapper, with all of the options and quirks we’re all used to. I’ll have a review of this sometime next week.

Dragon Prana ($14.99)

Kemco and EXE-Create are back with another retro-style JRPG for those on the hunt for one. As ever, I’m obliged to mention that you can get this a fair bit cheaper on mobile. I think a lot of folks have had their fill of this particular developer/publisher/genre combo, but the “Dragon” sub-series does seem to be more well-liked than the average effort. Reliable, at the very least.

The Vanishing Hitchhiker ($4.99)

A choice-based visual novel take on the popular urban legend. This version of the story features multiple endings based on the choices you make, so I guess that’s something. I’m not really too interested in this one, but it’s going to depend how much you’re into the urban legend in question.

Adrian’s Tale ($15.00)

I’ll be honest here: I don’t know much about this game and can’t find much info about it at all. It looks very much like a dollar-store Zelda, but that price tag seems high for what the screenshots show. Well, if one of you is braver than I am, let me know how it goes.

AAA Clock 2 ($9.99)

How do you make a sequel to a clock app? I guess by sticking a platformer in it? I don’t know. I don’t know why so many people bought the first release, and I will likely be mystified by the success of this one as well.

My Life: Riding Stables 3 ($29.99)

Another horse game. We’re getting a lot of these lately. Design your character, pick your favorite horse, explore an open world around your farm, participate in tournaments, and take care of your horses. The usual fare. Maybe the horse-lover in your household already burnt through the horse game that came out two days ago and needs a new one.

Tankorama ($9.99)

Tankorama! The Tank-man! Tankiana Jones! The Tankinator! This is a vertically-scrolling shooter, and one that moves at an absolutely plodding pace. There are three different tanks to choose from, and you can get various power-ups and upgrades. There are five chapters in total, each made up of three stages plus a boss battle. The content is certainly here, but I just don’t like the way this plays. Fans of retro European shooters may take to it better.

Timore 5 ($12.99)

Another Timore game. We got one of these just a few days ago. Well, okay. It’s a horror game. Probably the twentieth horror game released in the last seven days, really. An experiment involving dreams goes awry and becomes a nightmare. Can you escape? This series has a lot of fans, and I’m sure they’ll be more enthusiastic to see this than I am.

Catacomb Kitties ($5.99)

A cat-themed RPG. There are more of these than you would expect. This one takes the form of a micro RPG, so expect a few hours of game here. There are some randomized elements, so that’s an extra reason to replay if you need one. There are six classes to choose from, and you even get a little personality profile at the end of the game that changes based on how you played. Seems fine for what it is.

Finding America: The Heartland – Collector’s Edition ($9.99)

Another hidden object game from Ocean Media. This one has an America theme, but don’t take that to mean it plans to stick to it. Find the objects in the scenes, play some mini-games, and so on. You probably know how these go by now. You get more than twenty-five scenes to find stuff in, and they’re all very colorful and detailed.

Delivery Driver: The Simulation ($17.99)

This might seem like a BoomHits game, but it isn’t. Rather, it’s from Polygon Art, which means it’s more expensive than it should be. Anyway, you’re a delivery driver. Drive around the city and deliver things. You can actually exit your vehicle and explore on foot, so I guess that’s at least one differentiating point for it. Do what you will.

Dead Age: Zombie Adventure & Shooting Game ($4.99)

Not much adventure in T-Bull’s latest, to be honest. It’s a base defense game. Waves of zombies attack and you need to fend them off. The cartoon-ish visuals are a high point, if I had to look for one. And hey, it’s very reasonably priced.

Kanjozoku Game Racer – Car Racing & Highway Driving Simulator Games ($5.99)

More junk from the junk factory that is Midnight Works. Handheld only because it requires touch controls due to being a low-effort mobile port. You can find far more interesting racers than this on the eShop, even at a low price.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Not a huge list so far, but a few good things. Unpacking hits a new low price, and it’s one of those games you should experience. The Pac-Man 99 DLC is on sale again, for what I believe is only the second time ever. Shooter fans looking to fill their boots may want to consider buying Project Starship X or Ghost Blade HD. Not too much in the outbox to worry about, but do give it a look as well.

Select New Games on Sale

Unpacking ($13.99 from $19.99 until 11/9)
Steam: Rails to Riches CE ($7.99 from $19.99 until 11/11)
Charterstone Digital ($12.49 from $24.99 until 11/11)
Eight-Minute Empire CE ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/11)
Istanbul Digital ($7.99 from $19.99 until 11/11)
3000th Duel ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/16)
Tiny Metal ($7.49 from $14.99 until 11/16)
Necrosphere Deluxe ($3.99 from $7.99 until 11/16)
Tokyo Dark Remembrance ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/16)
Chiki-Chiki Boxy Racers ($4.99 from $9.99 until 11/16)
Battlloon ($3.49 from $6.99 until 11/16)
Project Starship X ($2.99 from $9.99 until 11/18)
Synergia ($5.99 from $14.99 until 11/18)

Takotan ($2.79 from $6.99 until 11/18)
Sense: Cyberpunk Ghost Story ($7.99 from $19.99 until 11/18)
Kawaii Deathu Desu ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/18)
Ghost Blade HD ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/18)
Pac-Man 99 Mode Unlock DLC ($9.74 from $14.99 until 11/21)
Pac-Man 99 Deluxe Pack DLC ($14.99 from $29.99 until 11/21)
Classic Games Collection Vol.2 ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/21)
Please Touch the Artwork ($5.19 from $7.99 until 11/23)
Wild & Adventure Pinball ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/23)
Sports & Adventure Pinball ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/23)
8 & 9 Ball Pocket ($3.59 from $11.99 until 11/23)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, Friday, November 4th

20 Ladies ($3.49 from $4.99 until 11/4)
890B ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/4)
City Traffic Driver 2 ($7.79 from $12.99 until 11/4)
Commander Keen: Keen Dreams ($2.49 from $4.99 until 11/4)
Crazy Gravity ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/4)
De: Yabatanien ($6.99 from $13.99 until 11/4)
Garden Story ($12.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
God Damn The Garden ($3.99 from $4.99 until 11/4)
Hell Pages ($6.29 from $8.99 until 11/4)
In The Mood ($3.49 from $4.99 until 11/4)
Knight’s Try ($4.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Koumajou Remilia: Scarlet Symphony ($26.99 from $29.99 until 11/4)
Mastho is Together ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/4)
Miracle Snack Shop ($17.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
MLB The Show 22 ($19.99 from $59.99 until 11/4)

MLB The Show 22 Deluxe ($39.99 from $99.99 until 11/4)
MO: Astray ($7.49 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Pretty Girls Rivers ($4.19 from $5.99 until 11/4)
Quintus & the Absent Truth ($6.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Regina & Mac ($4.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Regina & Mac World ($1.99 from $3.99 until 11/4)
Seduction: A Monk’s Fate ($5.59 from $7.99 until 11/4)
SkateBIRD ($8.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
Super Nanaru ($7.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
The World Next Door ($2.49 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Wonder Boy Returns Remix ($7.49 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Z-Warp ($4.89 from $6.99 until 11/4)

That’s all for today, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow with the remaining releases of the week, plus a big list of new sales and any major news that rolls in. We may even have a review if our pal Mikhail can swing it. Friday reviews? Weird times. I hope you all have a thrilling Thursday, and as always, thanks for reading!

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for November 2nd, 2022. It’s Wednesday and like other recent Wednesdays there’s a bit of a calm before the storm vibe going on. We’ve got a little news to look at, a few decent new releases to check out, and the usual lists of new and outgoing sales. If it all seems a little light, keep in mind that tomorrow is Thursday. If you can’t find a way to spend your money today, tomorrow will likely assist you with the job. Let’s get to it!

News

‘Mario Party’ and ‘Mario Party 2’ Join the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack

Time for some new additions to the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack’s Nintendo 64 app. This time we get two games at once! Mario Party (the ol’ stick-breaker, they of the palm skin-shredding) and Mario Party 2 are now available if you update your app. The first game even comes with a warning not to use the palm of your hand to rotate the stick faster. How nostalgic. But yes, do be careful with that first game. Your controller and hand won’t like you if you aren’t.

New Releases

Shatter Remastered Deluxe ($9.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

Brick breakers are a dime a dozen on the Nintendo Switch, and you wouldn’t think there’s much room for another one. But when that other one is Shatter? Yes, I’ll make some room. This is a remaster of the game that did an incredible job of reimagining the vintage genre, and it’s easily one of the most playable and enjoyable brick breakers around. You can look forward to a review of this game from me early next week, but if you like brick breakers at all you really don’t need to wait. It’s great stuff.

Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom ($49.99)

I guess that last Doraemon/Story of Seasons mash-up went well, because here is another one. Nobita and Doraemon arrive on a strange planet and decide to help a boy named Lumis revive his farm. It’s the usual Story of Seasons style of gameplay, and Doraemon’s gadgets naturally make a return. Curiously this seems more impressive than the recent mainline Story of Seasons games we’ve seen, at least as far as I’ve played. I’ll be doing a proper review of this one soon.

Hatup ($4.99)

This is a precision platformer where the main gimmick centers around your hat. The stage elements change based on whether or not you’re wearing your hat, which is certainly inventive dressing for a switch mechanic. Collect keys, avoid hazards, and make your way to the exit on each stage. Seems perfectly reasonable for a five-dollar Switch platformer.

Fantasy Blacksmith ($9.99)

Kind of a blacksmith simulation game. You have to make swords. Lots of swords. Absolutely twisted, arms full of swords. As it is a fantasy game, you will also be infusing those swords with magic runes. Beyond making swords, you’ll also have to mine for materials. Not really my thing, but maybe it’s yours.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

A few of Terarin’s excellent shoot-em-ups are at new low prices, and I’d recommend all of them but Raging Blasters in particular. I don’t have strong feelings about the rest of the inbox. Perhaps you have an interest in finding pups? The outbox is a lot bigger and has more interesting games in it, with THQ Nordic and a number of indies wrapping up their latest sales. Grab Sumire! Or anything else you like. I’m not the sheriff of your retirement funds.

Select New Games on Sale

Ravenous Devils ($3.49 from $4.99 until 11/16)
Raging Blasters ($7.35 from $14.70 until 11/21)
Gemini Arms ($4.74 from $9.49 until 11/21)
Missile Dancer ($4.99 from $9.99 until 11/21)
Assault ChaingunS KM ($4.99 from $9.99 until 11/21)
Tetra ($7.99 from $11.49 until 11/21)
Clutter Evolution: Beyond Xtreme ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/21)
Clutter 1000 ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/21)
Ki11er Clutter ($7.49 from $9.99 until 11/21)
First Time in Paris CE ($5.99 from $9.99 until 11/21)
I Love Finding Pups! CE ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/21)

I Love Finding More Pups! CE ($7.49 from $9.99 until 11/21)
I Love Finding Cats! CE ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/21)
Faircroft’s Antiques TML CE ($5.99 from $9.99 until 11/21)
Jewel Match Solitaire Winterscapes ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/21)
Striker Modes ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/22)
Invert ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/22)
Super Snake Block ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/22)
Mr Maker 3D Level Editor ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/22)
SGC – Short Games Collection 1 ($7.10 from $19.99 until 11/22)
Shmup Mania ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/22)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, Thursday, November 3rd

Ashen ($9.99 from $39.99 until 11/3)
Axiom Verge ($7.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Axiom Verge 2 ($15.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Beacon Pines ($17.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
CASE 2: Animatronics Survival ($4.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
CASE: Animatronics ($4.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Citizen Sleeper ($14.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Corpse Factory ($13.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Corpse Party ($13.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Corpse Party Blood Drive ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Crashlands ($9.74 from $14.99 until 11/3)
Darkest Dungeon ($8.49 from $24.99 until 11/3)
Darkest Dungeon: AE ($13.59 from $39.99 until 11/3)
Darksiders Genesis ($11.99 from $39.99 until 11/3)
Darksiders II Deathinitive ($8.99 from $29.99 until 11/3)

Darksiders III ($21.99 from $39.99 until 11/3)
Darksiders Warmastered ($8.99 from $29.99 until 11/3)
Dawn of the Monsters ($20.99 from $29.99 until 11/3)
Dicey Dungeons ($1.99 from $14.99 until 11/3)
Donut County ($3.79 from $12.99 until 11/3)
Florence ($1.99 from $5.99 until 11/3)
Forklift Extreme ($5.99 from $9.99 until 11/3)
Framed Collection ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/3)
G-MODE Archives25 Topolon ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/3)
Galacticon ($3.49 from $4.99 until 11/3)
Glitchhikers: Spaces Between ($9.74 from $12.99 until 11/3)
Gone Home ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/3)
Gunma’s Ambition ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/3)
Hindsight ($11.99 from $14.99 until 11/3)
Hotel Transylvania Scary-Tale Adv. ($15.99 from $39.99 until 11/3)
If Found… ($6.49 from $12.99 until 11/3)

Kentucky Route Zero ($14.99 from $24.99 until 11/3)
Last Kids on Earth & Staff of Doom ($11.99 from $29.99 until 11/3)
Levelhead ($12.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
MADiSON ($24.49 from $34.99 until 11/3)
Monster Boy & the Cursed Kingdom ($13.99 from $39.99 until 11/3)
Monster Jam Steel Titans ($8.99 from $29.99 until 11/3)
Monster Jam Steel Titans 2 ($21.99 from $39.99 until 11/3)
Mystik Belle Enchanted Edition ($5.99 from $14.99 until 11/3)
Neo Cab ($3.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Neon White ($19.99 from $24.99 until 11/3)
Onirike ($3.74 from $14.99 until 11/3)
Paradise Killer ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Power Rangers Battle for the Grid ($10.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Power Rangers BftG Collector’s Edition ($16.49 from $29.99 until 11/3)
Power Rangers BftG Super Edition ($27.49 from $49.99 until 11/3)
Project Nimbus CE ($4.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)

Sayonara Wild Hearts ($7.79 from $12.99 until 11/3)
Strange Field Football ($1.99 from $6.99 until 11/3)
Sumire ($2.49 from $9.99 until 11/3)
Telling Lies ($5.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
The Addams Family: Mansion Mayhem ($15.99 from $39.99 until 11/3)
The Artful Escape ($11.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
The Mummy Demastered ($7.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Twelve Minutes ($14.99 from $24.99 until 11/3)
What Remains of Edith Finch ($5.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Whisper Trip ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/3)
Wildbus ($1.99 from $6.99 until 11/3)
Wonder Boy Asha in Monster World ($17.49 from $34.99 until 11/3)

That’s all for today, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow with a whole bunch of new releases, though perhaps not quite so many as the last couple of weeks. There will summaries of all of them, plus whatever sales and big news come along in the next twenty-four hours or so. I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday, and as always, thanks for reading!

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for October 31st, 2022. It’s Halloween! It’s Halloween! There are a couple of scary games releasing today, but nothing too exciting. What is more exciting is that our pal Mikhail has a couple of reviews for us, including the rather good Signalis. I also have a couple of reviews for you, including the rather good Sophstar. Rather good all around, I’d say. Then we’ve got the new release summaries, and of course the usual lists of new and expiring sales. Let’s go!

Reviews & Mini-Views

Signalis ($19.99)

Signalis from rose-engine and Humble Bundle is one of the biggest surprises of 2022. When Humble Bundle announces a new game, I usually pay attention because the publisher puts out games that line up with my taste to some degree with every release. I wasn’t sure what to think about Signalis when it was announced as I’m very picky with horror games, but it blew me away.

If you’ve not kept up with it, Signalis is a PS1-style survival horror game, but one that has a very striking aesthetic. It blends in exploration, puzzles, an atmosphere that oozes exactly what I love about horror games, and superb animation work. While most veterans of the genre will likely be able to see it to the end in less time, I spent about 13 hours in Signalis and enjoyed almost all of it.

While Signalis is a game I now adore, there are a few things worth highlighting. If you aren’t a fan of the older Resident Evil games, you might find the limited inventory or backtracking in Signalis a bit annoying. I expected it given the game’s trailers and promotion, but it is worth noting. The second aspect I want to highlight is the accessibility. You can tune Signalis to be harder or easier in combat and also play with standard or tank controls. I’m glad to see the developers add both of these options.

Having played it on Switch and PC, the Switch version has a few performance issues that I hope can be addressed in potential updates. The trade-off is Signalis looks amazing on the OLED screen. On PC, Signalis runs and plays brilliantly, but this is definitely a game that is perfect for portable play if you have a Steam Deck or newer Switch system where the strengths of the system elevate the experience through the OLED display and better speakers.

If you had told me that an indie horror game would be on my top 10 games of the year a few months ago, I’d have laughed because of how good 2022 has been for JRPGs but here we are. Signalis is a shockingly good horror game that I recommend to any fan of the genre. It has a superlative atmosphere, stunning art, and an excellent soundtrack. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Moonscars ($19.99)

Moonscars from Black Mermaid and Humble Games is a challenging action-platformer with great visuals, but one that is let down by a few annoying design decisions in its current state. On Nintendo Switch, Moonscars has been a rocky ride across the game’s state pre-release and through the current update, and while things have improved, it does feel like you’d be better off grabbing it in a few months rather than jumping into it now.

I’ve enjoyed many games that are inspired by FromSoftware’s games over the years. These range from Team Ninja’s superlative Nioh series to excellent indie games like Salt & Sanctuary. When Moonscars was announced, I was excited to play it based on the aesthetic alone. Having seen it improve quite a bit on Switch across updates, Moonscars is a bit too obtuse for its own good right now when it comes to difficulty and some aspects of the combat.

If you crave a bleak and very challenging game, and are ok with some clarity issues thanks to the aesthetic, Moonscars will satiate you. After potentially a few updates to polish some of the issues I had with it, Moonscars can be something special that I can recommend without hesitation. Right now, it unfortunately has some asterisks attached to the recommendation.

While I did enjoy a lot of Moonscars in the time I’ve put into it on Switch as of version 1.3.003 and the current PC build, it feels like an early access release that is close to hitting the finish line. There are a few things that need work like enemy HP, some areas looking too similar, and the unforgiving nature not pushing me to learn, but frustrating me in parts. In its current state, I’d recommend it assuming you’re ok with all of that and some performance issues on Nintendo Switch. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher ($49.99)

As bizarre as the concept initially seems, Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher is a relatively natural blend of ideas that works almost exactly the way you would think it does. Take the virtual pet-meets-RPG framework of Monster Rancher, swap out the original line-up of monsters for kaiju drawn from Ultraman, and add in a few appearances from the man himself, and that’s Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher. It has a lot of fun with the absurd idea of raising a giant monster like some kind of pet, but otherwise it’s going to be very familiar to fans of Koei Tecmo’s long-running series.

You’re a newly-graduated trainer who has arrived in town ready to get going, but an administrative error means you’re put on probation to start with. A very familiar veteran offers to give you some assistance and shows you the ropes. Like with the previous Monster Rancher release on the Switch, there are a variety of ways to get your hands on a monster. One new way is by scanning an NFC item such as a transportation pass. Unfortunately, Amiibos don’t work for this. You can get some very strong or unique kaiju this way, and if you can’t get your hands on the necessary item you can always search the database instead.

Once you have your kaiju, it’s time for the usual routine. Set a training program for it, feed it, give it the occasional rest, and enter it in tournaments. Battles are semi-real time affairs where you perform various attacks based on your distance from your foe. The camera here leans into the whole giant monster theme, and you really do get the sense of two titans clashing with each other as a result. You can use your winnings to take better care of your kaiju or buy new ones. Monsters only have a few years before you’ll have to retire them, so you’ll need to fuse them with other monsters or buy new ones to keep playing. Completing certain events or achievements will jostle loose a nugget of story content, so as long as you focus on the tasks at hand you’ll eventually make progress. It can take a while, though.

Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher sticks very close to the original Monster Rancher concept, perhaps too close. Adding in giant monsters and Ultraman appearances provides a bit of spice, but it would have been nice if there were more of an effect on the gameplay just to liven things up a bit for veterans. As is, it’s another Monster Rancher, albeit one with a little more charm than usual for fans of large rubber-suit creatures.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Sophstar ($12.99)

I’ll say it up-front: in terms of sheer bang for your buck, Sophstar might be one of the best shoot-em-ups you can grab on the Nintendo eShop. Between its beefy eight-stage arcade mode, additional modes like score attack, time attack, and endless, and a cool Cadet’s Challenge with sixty mini-missions to complete, you can get a ton of play out of this game even before you start digging into its scoring system. There are also a lot of fun unlockables including a wide array of amusing visual filters. To top things off, there are online leaderboards for pretty much every mode.

What makes it really wild is that Sophstar has nine completely distinct ships to choose from. Each ship has its own stats, shots, and teleport function, and they really do play differently. They’re remarkably well-balanced, so which one you’ll end up using likely depends on your playstyle. The nice thing is that among its many other qualities, the Cadet’s Challenge will force you to use particular ships and get acquainted with their ins and outs. It’s fun to try them and see which one will ultimately help you rack up the highest scores.

Sophstar is a vertically-scrolling shooter that sits somewhere between the borderline between Toaplan classics like Truxton and Cave-style bullet-hell shooters in terms of intensity. You have a standard shot, a sub-weapon, a teleport, and two buttons for slowing your ship down in order to make fine movements. As mentioned, each ship has its own load-out, and what precisely the sub-weapon and teleport do varies from ship to ship considerably. Sub-weapons can be almost bomb-like or just a powered-up shot. They also vary in terms of how much meter energy they use, so you can’t exactly spam the more powerful ones.

The teleports are another ball of wax. They operate on a cool-down timer, and while they’re mainly for defensive purposes you can also use them offensively as you’ll damage enemies when you teleport into them. You can’t always control them well enough to do this of course. Some of them will randomly throw you somewhere else on the screen. Some can be controlled to an extent. Some simply make you disappear for a couple of seconds. It’s tricky to learn how to best take advantage of the sub-weapons and teleports, but it’s the key to survival when the game heats up.

The game also includes just about every option you could ask for. Lots of visual and audio options, gameplay tweaks, fun filters and borders, the ability to change screen orientation and size, and tons of online leaderboards to compete on. You can even choose between two scoring systems, with a more straightforward option as the default and a more advanced one available for those who want a bit more flavor to savor. As you play you’ll unlock more things, like additional credits for the arcade mode and more filters and backgrounds. There are even some secrets to uncover.

I was really surprised at how good Sophstar turned out to be, especially given the reasonable price. It’s a very fun shooter that is easy to learn but with enough depth to please veterans, and includes enough modes, options, and extras to keep you playing for a long time. I wish the soundtrack had a little more kick to it and I suppose it doesn’t really do anything dramatically novel, but otherwise I am hard-pressed to find much fault in this game. A virtual must-have for shoot-em-up fans.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

New Releases

Amazing Chicken Adventures ($19.99)

This is a game about a chicken who needs to roll eggs to certain places without accidentally losing them or destroying them. It’s trickier than it sounds. There are lots of gimmicks to keep things fresh, and if you really feel like adding some chaos into the mix you can also bring in a friend for some local co-op multiplayer.

MIDNIGHT Remastered ($1.99)

A two-dollar remaster of a free web game from five years back. You have to explore and collect the seven letters of the deadly sins. It is very dark. I don’t mean thematically, I mean the game is just very dark to look at. There’s a bit more content here when compared to the original, but you shouldn’t expect a very lengthy experience in any case.

LONGHEAD ($9.99)

This looks like a puzzle-platformer of sorts. You need to make your way to all the valves and turn them to relieve the pressure in the pipes. Meanwhile, some jerk named Elliot will do his best to mess with you via various means. Big five-dollar Switch platformer energy, but that’s inflation for you.

Daemonum ($4.49)

It’s a low-budget horror-themed first-person shooter, and it’s neither the first we’ve seen in the last few days nor will it be the last. A detective is called in to investigate a disturbance and ends up getting sucked into another world. This world, perhaps unsurprisingly, is full of bad stuff. Good luck with all that.

Vylan ($4.99)

A tricky one hundred-level platformer that features some tight time limits you need to stay ahead of. It has a bit of a PICO-8 vibe to its visuals. It could be something a person would like.

Halloween Shooter ($9.99)

Ducking in just under the wire for the holiday, Halloween Shooter is yet another low-budget Halloween-themed first-person shooter. This one is a bit more comical with its designs, and features five different weapons to use and thirty-six levels to play. I would just play DOOM again, but you do you.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

You’ve only got a short window to get those NIS America games if you want them, but I’ve listed them here just in case. Highlights today include new low prices for the amazing Infernax, the charming Pixel Puzzle Makeout League, and boomer shooter Project Warlock. There’s also a lot to like in the outbox, particularly for those with a fondness for B-tier RPGs. Have a look through both lists as ever, friends.

Select New Games on Sale

Poison Control ($4.99 from $39.99 until 11/1)
Disgaea 1 Complete ($17.49 from $49.99 until 11/1)
Disgaea 4 Complete+ ($17.49 from $49.99 until 11/1)
Fallen Legion Revenants ($19.99 from $39.99 until 11/1)
Fallen Legion Rise to Glory ($4.99 from $39.99 until 11/1)
Liar Princess & Blind Prince ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/1)
Labyrinth of Refrain: CoD ($17.49 from $49.99 until 11/1)
Mad Rat Dead ($24.99 from $39.99 until 11/1)
NIS Classics: Phantom Brave/Soul Nomad ($29.99 from $39.99 until 11/1)
NIS Classics: Makai Kingdom/ZHP ($29.99 from $39.99 until 11/1)
Shadow Corridor ($7.49 from $14.99 until 11/1)
Pad of Time ($6.66 from $7.99 until 11/2)
Mystik Belle Enchanted Edition ($5.99 from $14.99 until 11/3)
The World Next Door ($2.49 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Garden Story ($12.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)

MLB The Show 22 ($19.99 from $59.99 until 11/4)
MLB The Show 22 Deluxe ($39.99 from $99.99 until 11/4)
Fireworks ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/5)
Pinku Kult: Hex Mortis ($5.99 from $9.99 until 11/6)
Flewfie’s Adventure ($5.99 from $9.99 until 11/6)
Pixel Puzzle Makeout League ($3.74 from $14.99 until 11/6)
Into the Dark ($17.49 from $24.99 until 11/6)
Words Puzzles 3 in 1 ($3.59 from $3.99 until 11/6)
Infernax ($14.99 from $19.99 until 11/7)
Project Warlock ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/7)
Demon’s Tilt ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/7)
Catan ($8.99 from $14.99 until 11/7)
Carcassonne ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/7)
Draw Rider Remake ($2.24 from $14.99 until 11/7)
Bloo Kid 2 ($2.49 from $4.99 until 11/8)

Dying Light Definitive ($24.99 from $49.99 until 11/12)
Super Mabus Mania ($7.10 from $7.89 until 11/16)
Halloween Shooter ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/16)
The Suicide of Rachel Foster ($3.99 from $19.99 until 11/18)
Mechanic Battle ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/18)
Venice Taxi Boats ($7.79 from $12.99 until 11/18)
Bones of Halloween ($3.99 from $4.99 until 11/18)
Last Threshold ($2.99 from $4.99 until 11/19)
Madorica Real Estate ($7.49 from $14.99 until 11/19)
Dark Minute: Kira’s Adventure ($4.99 from $9.99 until 11/19)
MonsterFruitAcademy ($16.02 from $32.05 until 11/19)
The Padre ($2.99 from $19.99 until 11/19)
Fire: Ungh’s Quest ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/19)
Vampire: The Masquerade Bundle ($8.69 from $28.99 until 11/19)
Rise: Race the Future ($8.24 from $16.49 until 11/20)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 1st

Alder’s Blood DE ($4.99 from $19.99 until 11/1)
Alien Isolation ($14.99 from $19.99 until 11/1)
Amnesia: Later x Crowd ($39.99 from $49.99 until 11/1)
Amnesia: Memories ($39.99 from $49.99 until 11/1)
Apparition ($2.49 from $9.99 until 11/1)
Arc of Alchemist ($11.99 from $39.99 until 11/1)
Azur Lane: Crosswave ($14.99 from $49.99 until 11/1)
BATS Bloodsucker Anti-Terror Squad ($4.99 from $9.99 until 11/1)
Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei ($19.99 from $49.99 until 11/1)
Creepy Tale ($2.49 from $9.99 until 11/1)
Creepy Tale 2 ($3.74 from $14.99 until 11/1)
Cupid Parasite ($24.99 from $49.99 until 11/1)
Death end re;Quest 2 ($19.99 from $49.99 until 11/1)
Death end re;Quest ($8.99 from $29.99 until 11/1)
Disgaea 1 Complete ($17.49 from $49.99 until 11/1)

Disgaea 4 Complete+ ($17.49 from $49.99 until 11/1)
Don’t Starve ($4.99 from $19.99 until 11/1)
Don’t Starve Together ($11.99 from $14.99 until 11/1)
Fairy Fencer F: ADF ($5.99 from $29.99 until 11/1)
Fallen Legion Revenants ($19.99 from $39.99 until 11/1)
Fallen Legion Rise to Glory ($4.99 from $39.99 until 11/1)
Flipping Death ($3.99 from $19.99 until 11/1)
Grapple Dog ($7.49 from $14.99 until 11/1)
Griftlands ($13.39 from $19.99 until 11/1)
Hell Pie ($22.49 from $24.99 until 11/1)
Inner Voices ($3.19 from $7.99 until 11/1)
Invisible, Inc. ($4.99 from $19.99 until 11/1)
Jin Conception ($7.50 from $15.00 until 11/1)
John Wick Hex ($5.99 from $19.99 until 11/1)
Labyrinth of Refrain: CoD ($17.49 from $49.99 until 11/1)

LEGO Star Wars Skywalker Saga ($35.99 from $59.99 until 11/1)
Liar Princess & Blind Prince ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/1)
Mad Rat Dead ($24.99 from $39.99 until 11/1)
Mark of the Ninja Remastered ($4.99 from $19.99 until 11/1)
Mary Skelter 2 ($9.99 from $39.99 until 11/1)
Mary Skelter Finale ($19.99 from $49.99 until 11/1)
Megadimension Neptunia VII ($8.99 from $29.99 until 11/1)
Milanoir ($2.59 from $12.99 until 11/1)
Moero Chronicle Hyper ($7.99 from $19.99 until 11/1)
Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars ($19.99 from $49.99 until 11/1)
NIS Classics: Phantom Brave/Soul Nomad ($29.99 from $39.99 until 11/1)
NIS Classics: Makai Kingdom/ZHP ($29.99 from $39.99 until 11/1)
OlliOlli: Switch Stance ($2.99 from $14.99 until 11/1)
Pandaty ($1.99 from $8.99 until 11/1)
Pandemic Shooter ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/1)

Penko Park ($9.74 from $12.99 until 11/1)
Poison Control ($4.99 from $39.99 until 11/1)
Queen’s Garden: Sakura Season ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/1)
Rogue Star Rescue ($9.89 from $14.99 until 11/1)
Secrets of Magic 4: Potion Master ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/1)
Secrets of Magic 5: Back to School ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/1)
Shadow Corridor ($7.49 from $14.99 until 11/1)
Source of Madness ($13.99 from $19.99 until 11/1)
Stick It to The Man ($2.39 from $11.99 until 11/1)
Supaplex WOW ($10.49 from $14.99 until 11/1)
Super Neptunia RPG ($11.99 from $39.99 until 11/1)
Wallachia: Reign of Dracula ($3.74 from $14.99 until 11/1)

That’s all for today and this month, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow with more new releases, more reviews, more sales, and perhaps some news. I have a lot of games to play and not much time to play them, so I’m going to get back to that. I hope you all have a great Monday, and as always, thanks for reading!

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for October 28th, 2022. In today’s article, we look at the remaining releases of the week, and what a lot it is. Bayonetta 3, Factorio, Sophstar, Ace Angler: Fishing Spirits, and more are vying for your gaming dollars, and that’s not even getting into the sales. Which we do! Right after the new releases. There are a lot of them. We have a list of some of the really good ones, plus some of the expiring ones. Let’s get to it!

New Releases

Bayonetta 3 ($59.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

It’s been a very, very long road, and the last couple of weeks have been a roller coaster, but Bayonetta 3 is finally here. What can be said? It’s more wild, over-the-top action from a developer that has honed its craft at making just that sort of thing. There’s a new major character in this one named Viola, and Bayonetta is going to have to deal with her and her troubles. Along the way, she’ll meet a whole coven of Bayonettas. The multiverse is so hot right now. I’m looking forward to fully sinking my teeth into this one in anticipation of a full review for all you, so do look forward to that.

Sophstar ($12.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

If you like vertical shooters, you’ll find plenty to like in Sophstar. There are six different game modes, with eight stages to play in the arcade and story modes and a whopping sixty in Cadet School mode. You get nine ships to pilot, each with their own weapon loadouts, and more than twenty different bosses to battle. Six different difficulty levels, multiple endings, and a bunch of unlockable stuff too. Really just a shooter that keeps on giving, and tons of fun. I’ll have a full review of this soon, but I’ve been enjoying the heck out of this so far.

Factorio ($29.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

The US price of this isn’t up yet as I’m writing this, so I’m taking a stab in the dark based on currency conversions. Check your local listings for details. Anyway, it’s Factorio! This game is well-known enough that I probably don’t need to write anything here, but in case you don’t know what this is about I should write a little. You have to build and maintain factories in this game, starting off very small but eventually reaching an epic scale. As you expand, the locals might not be so happy with your exploitation of the natural resources, so you’ll also have to defend yourself. Play alone or hope online for multiplayer with up to sixty-four players.

Ace Angler: Fishing Spirits ($39.99)

This is a sequel to a fairly popular fishing game that never released outside of Asia, and if you’re looking for a realistic simulation I recommend you keep on walking. The fishing itself is absurdly over-the-top, and there are a variety of other modes and mini-games that make things even sillier. Up to four players can join in via local or online multiplayer, and it is perhaps best taken as a party game of sorts. Well, the series originally started in the arcades, after all. There’s nothing else quite like this on the Western eShop, so this may just find a following.

Bones of Halloween ($4.99)

A low-cost Halloween first-person shooter if you’re looking for a quick holiday-appropriate fix. It seems to be a survival-based affair, with five different modes, multiple challenges, an assortment of spooky monsters, and a selection of different weapons to do them in with. I’m still smarting a little from the last five-dollar Ratalaika first-person shooter I played, so I think I might give this one a pass for now. But don’t let me stop you if you think it looks interesting.

Timore Redo ($18.99)

A psychological horror game about a man who sets out to kill three people before doing himself in. For some reason he finds this hard to do. I don’t know much about this game and as I’m not great with horror I will probably keep it that way, but for whatever it’s worth the reviews on Steam are fairly positive and many consider this the best game in the Timore series so far.

Needy Streamer Overload ($19.99)

This is kind of a simulation adventure game where you’re trying to help a girl named Ame become the next big streamer. Depending on your choices and input, you’ll come to one of multiple different endings. Finding a good one might be difficult as Ame is not exactly a model star, but if you keep at it I’m sure you’ll figure something out.

Opus Castle (Free)

A first-person horror game based loosely on some real incidents at a castle in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The hook here is that the first chapter is free, but subsequent chapters are paid DLC. Explore the castle and try to uncover its mysteries, all while trying to avoid malicious spirits. Hey, it’s free to try.

Charon’s Staircase ($34.99)

Yes, a lot of first-person horror games this week. Here is another one. It’s a bit expensive and it looks a little fancier than the average entry in this genre. A (fictional) former totalitarian regime has supposedly cleaned up its act and seeks to join the European Union. You play as an agent named Desmond who has been dispatched to retrieve and destroy some classified documents from a spooky estate. These documents detail some of the horrors of the regime, so they’ve got to go. Unfortunately, you end up stumbling upon something called Project Alpha, and things go decidedly ca-ca. People really need to stop going to scary old houses at night.

Silenced: The House ($4.99)

Uh-hunh, another horror game. This one is a visual novel, though. So that’s a little different. Main character Ashley has to spend the night in a spooky abandoned house (there it is again!) and complete a ritual in order to exorcise the spirits haunting it. The low price makes it enticing for those who just want to sink into a scary story instead of getting jump-scared every few minutes.

Car+Toon Race: Rally Valley Champion ($10.99)

A racer with a cartoon vibe to its visuals with support for one or two players via local multiplayer. You can play it the normal way or use gyroscope controls for that Mario Kart Wii feel. It’s from the folks at TROOOZE so I would say to temper your expectations somewhat, but it’s nice to see them trying something a little different at least.

CoComelon: Play with JJ ($39.99)

I don’t know what CoComelon is or who JJ is, but I’m not going to pretend this is anywhere near aimed at an old guy like me. You can play some music mini-games with JJ, explore some areas, and collect CoComelon stickers. It features a variety of CoComelon songs, and I’d guess that if you have a little one who likes this show then they’ll have some fun with this.

Words Puzzles 3 in 1 ($3.99)

Benjamin Kistler has phoned in another one today with this handheld-only word puzzle pack. You get word search puzzles, crossword-style puzzles, and something that looks vaguely Spell Tower-ish but is actually simpler. It claims you get dozens of puzzles of each type, so that’s something. Probably better choices for this kind of thing on the eShop, though.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Lots of interesting items today, friends. Some new low prices on the Darksiders games, and a very nice price on Demons of Asteborg. Those are but a few of the great games in the inbox today, so make sure you comb through that list carefully. Nothing immediately jumps out at me in the weekend outbox, but have a look at that too.

Select New Games on Sale

Return of the Obra Dinn ($11.99 from $19.99 until 11/2)
Demons of Asteborg ($7.19 from $17.99 until 11/2)
The Addams Family: Mansion Mayhem ($15.99 from $39.99 until 11/3)
Last Kids on Earth & Staff of Doom ($11.99 from $29.99 until 11/3)
Hotel Transylvania Scary-Tale Adv. ($15.99 from $39.99 until 11/3)
Neon White ($19.99 from $24.99 until 11/3)
Donut County ($3.79 from $12.99 until 11/3)
Ashen ($9.99 from $39.99 until 11/3)
Telling Lies ($5.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Twelve Minutes ($14.99 from $24.99 until 11/3)
Sayonara Wild Hearts ($7.79 from $12.99 until 11/3)
Gone Home ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/3)
Florence ($1.99 from $5.99 until 11/3)
If Found… ($6.49 from $12.99 until 11/3)
The Artful Escape ($11.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)

Kentucky Route Zero ($14.99 from $24.99 until 11/3)
What Remains of Edith Finch ($5.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Axiom Verge ($7.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Axiom Verge 2 ($15.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Hindsight ($11.99 from $14.99 until 11/3)
Corpse Factory ($13.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Citizen Sleeper ($14.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Framed Collection ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/3)
Neo Cab ($3.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Paradise Killer ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Glitchhikers: Spaces Between ($9.74 from $12.99 until 11/3)
Beacon Pines ($17.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Wonder Boy Asha in Monster World ($17.49 from $34.99 until 11/3)
Darkest Dungeon ($8.49 from $24.99 until 11/3)
Darkest Dungeon: AE ($13.59 from $39.99 until 11/3)

Levelhead ($12.99 from $19.99 until 11/3)
Crashlands ($9.74 from $14.99 until 11/3)
Darksiders Warmastered ($8.99 from $29.99 until 11/3)
Darksiders II Deathinitive ($8.99 from $29.99 until 11/3)
Darksiders III ($21.99 from $39.99 until 11/3)
Darksiders Genesis ($11.99 from $39.99 until 11/3)
Monster Jam Steel Titans ($8.99 from $29.99 until 11/3)
Monster Jam Steel Titans 2 ($21.99 from $39.99 until 11/3)
MO: Astray ($7.49 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Super Nanaru ($7.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Koumajou Remilia: Scarlet Symphony ($26.99 from $29.99 until 11/4)
Miracle Snack Shop ($17.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
Wonder Boy Returns Remix ($7.49 from $14.99 until 11/4)
BrainZ ($2.37 from $6.99 until 11/7)
Kingdom Two Crowns ($4.99 from $19.99 until 11/7)

Kingdom: New Lands ($3.74 from $14.99 until 11/7)
Haunted: Poppy’s Nightmare ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/7)
Push the Crate ($2.71 from $7.99 until 11/7)
Push the Crate 2 ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/7)
Kathy Rain: Director’s Cut ($8.99 from $14.99 until 11/7)
Mosaic ($5.99 from $19.99 until 11/7)
Retro City Rampage DX ($7.49 from $14.99 until 11/10)
Shakedown: Hawaii ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/10)
Overcooked All You Can Eat ($19.99 from $39.99 until 11/10)
Blue Fire ($7.99 from $19.99 until 11/10)
Dungeon and Puzzles ($3.99 from $9.99 until 11/10)
Signs of the Sojourner ($7.99 from $19.99 until 11/10)
Nosferatu Lilinor ($13.71 from $17.14 until 11/10)
Bite the Bullet ($2.99 from $14.99 until 11/10)
Lila’s Sky Ark ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/10)

Tunnel of Doom ($9.09 from $13.99 until 11/10)
Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion ($5.99 from $14.99 until 11/10)
MotoGP 22 ($15.99 from $39.99 until 11/11)
Endling Extinction is Forever ($23.99 from $29.99 until 11/11)
Ultra Mega Xtra Party Challenge ($14.99 from $24.99 until 11/11)
Mokoko X ($6.89 from $11.49 until 11/11)
Unepic ($2.99 from $9.99 until 11/11)
Like No Other: TLotTB ($7.49 from $14.99 until 11/11)
Gunman Clive HD Collection ($2.49 from $4.99 until 11/11)
Super Punch Patrol ($2.49 from $4.99 until 11/11)
Mechstermination Force ($5.99 from $11.99 until 11/11)
Hot Wheels Unleashed ($14.99 from $49.99 until 11/11)
Brigandine TLoR ($29.99 from $49.99 until 11/12)
Shadow Gangs ($17.99 from $23.99 until 11/14)
Extreme Bike X ($2.13 from $7.10 until 11/15)
Logic Pic ($5.19 from $7.99 until 11/16)

The Pinball Wizard ($7.19 from $7.99 until 11/17)
Omega Labyrinth Life Deluxe ($29.59 from $79.99 until 11/17)
EDF World Brothers ($27.99 from $39.99 until 11/17)
Conduct Together ($1.99 from $19.99 until 11/17)
Fly Together ($1.99 from $15.00 until 11/17)
Headland ($1.99 from $19.99 until 11/17)
FUZE4 Nintendo Switch ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/17)
Brave Dungeon + Dark Witch Story ($7.19 from $8.99 until 11/17)
The Legend of Dark Witch ($5.59 from $6.99 until 11/17)
Worms WMD ($5.99 from $29.99 until 11/17)
Raging Justice ($2.99 from $14.99 until 11/17)
Vasara Collection ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/17)
Monster Sanctuary ($6.79 from $19.99 until 11/17)
Yooka-Laylee & the Impossible Lair ($5.99 from $29.99 until 11/17)
Blasphemous ($6.24 from $24.99 until 11/17)

Evil Tonight ($13.49 from $14.99 until 11/17)
Yoku’s Island Express ($4.99 from $19.99 until 11/17)
Savage Halloween ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/17)
Going Under ($4.99 from $19.99 until 11/17)
The Sinking City Deluxe ($12.99 from $64.99 until 11/17)
Battle Axe ($11.99 from $29.99 until 11/17)
If My Heart Had Wings ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/17)
Treasures of the Aegean ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/17)
Final Vendetta ($19.96 from $24.95 until 11/17)
Sherlock Holmes: Hound of the Baskervilles ($11.69 from $12.99 until 11/17)
Gearshifters ($14.99 from $29.99 until 11/17)
Master Sleuth Bundle ($35.99 from $89.99 until 11/17)

Sales Ending This Weekend

Alien War ($2.99 from $3.99 until 10/29)
Autonauts ($9.99 from $19.99 until 10/29)
Dragon Question ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/29)
Embr ($5.99 from $19.99 until 10/29)
For The King ($7.49 from $24.99 until 10/29)
Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption ($4.99 from $19.99 until 10/29)
Hotshot Racing ($2.99 from $19.99 until 10/29)
Hue ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/29)
Human: Fall Flat ($5.99 from $19.99 until 10/29)
Just Die Already ($5.09 from $14.99 until 10/29)
Narcos Rise of the Cartels ($4.49 from $29.99 until 10/29)
Nature ($1.99 from $2.99 until 10/29)
Peaky Blinders: Mastermind ($3.74 from $24.99 until 10/29)
Pumped BMX Pro ($2.99 from $14.99 until 10/29)
Serial Cleaner ($2.24 from $14.99 until 10/29)

Sky Racket ($2.99 from $14.99 until 10/29)
Smoke & Sacrifice ($3.99 from $19.99 until 10/29)
Soulblight ($3.74 from $14.99 until 10/29)
UNI ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/29)
Velocity 2X ($3.99 from $19.99 until 10/29)
World Soccer Kid ($1.99 from $2.99 until 10/29)
Zombie’s Cool ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/29)
Zombo Buster Advance ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/29)
Agent A: Puzzle in Disguise ($1.99 from $19.99 until 10/30)
Death Coming ($2.79 from $6.99 until 10/30)
Down in Bermuda ($1.99 from $19.99 until 10/30)
LIT: Bend the Light ($6.00 from $8.00 until 10/30)
OMNO ($5.49 from $15.99 until 10/30)
The Uncertain: Last Quiet Day ($5.99 from $14.99 until 10/30)
Time Loader ($5.99 from $14.99 until 10/30)

That’s all for today and this week, friends. We’ll be back on Halloween with some new releases, new sales, reviews, and maybe some news. I have so many reviews to do right now and things are only going to get worse before they get better. Not the worst problem to have, I suppose. I’d best get on those, then. I hope you all have a great weekend, and as always, thanks for reading!

We’ve been doing lists of our favorite Switch games in each genre for a while now, and a couple of things have occurred to me. First, we’re getting low on genres that aren’t wildly specific. Second, the lists we did at the start of all of this are now years-old and could certainly use some addendums to reflect the explosive growth of the Nintendo Switch library since then. Thus, a sequel to our very popular 10 Best JRPGs for Nintendo Switch special. This does not overwrite the previous list, but rather appends to it. In no particular order, here are ten more amazing JRPGs for Nintendo Switch.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 ($59.99)

What better place to start with this list than the latest in Nintendo and Monolith’s incredible Xenoblade Chronicles series? Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is every bit as mechanically dense and massive as the second game, if not more so, but thematically and stylistically it feels like a return to the feel of the first game. It serves as a fine cap to the three numbered games in the series, with an epic story, a cool world to explore, and tons of side-missions to engage in. A fantastic game to get lost in.

Persona 5 Royal ($59.99)

Virtually since the launch of the Nintendo Switch, a lot of people have been asking for Persona 5 to be on the platform. Those requests increased in intensity after Joker was announced as a character for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and it all got pretty ridiculous after Persona 5 Strikers was released. But here we are, everyone: Persona 5 Royal is on Switch with a great port, and its unique and stylish atmosphere is perfectly intact. Join the Phantom Thieves and prepare to steal some hearts. The first one they’ll steal is… yours. Sorry.

Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream ($59.99)

I always like to have an Atelier game in my rotation, because they are both highly compelling mechanically and very relaxing thematically. Atelier Sophie 2 is no exception, picking up from where the first Atelier Sophie left off for a fascinating side story set in what seems to be an alternate world. You’ll meet new characters, learn new things about old ones, and have a good time crafting and adventuring.

Live A Live ($49.99)

Western gamers had to wait a really long time to get an official release of this one, but it was certainly worth the wait. Rendered in stunning HD-2D, Live A Live isn’t just a simple reissue of the original game but a full remake. One that respects the original to a great degree, but isn’t afraid to spruce things up a little. Even if it had been untouched and simply localized for Western audiences, it would still probably be on this list. A bit JRPG, a bit adventure, and a story you definitely won’t forget.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus ($59.99)

For as much as we can point out faults in Pokemon games all day long, the fact of the matter is that they scratch a particular itch that few other games do. Pokemon Legends: Arceus introduced a lot of exciting new mechanics to the Pokemon gameplay structure, making for one of the freshest games the series has seen in a very long time. Some of that is carrying over to the sequel, but there’s a certain flavor to the setting in Pokemon Legends that will ensure it stays relevant for a while.

Shin Megami Tensei V ($59.99)

I know Persona originally spun out of Megami Tensei, but I feel like they’re sufficiently divorced now to consider them separate series. That means Shin Megami Tensei V can go on this list, and that’s a good thing. One of the recent trends in JRPGs is to introduce a massive ground-level open world to explore, and it fits Shin Megami Tensei like a glove. This installment feels like it draws on all the best parts of the previous games in the series for a powerful melange that will suck you in with its distinct atmosphere and excellent mechanics.

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition ($19.99)

Ah, Chrono Cross. When it first released, it was hailed by many as a 10/10 work of art. Then a lot of people turned on it, and it got a reputation as a terrible, heavily-flawed sequel. The truth is somewhere in the middle, but for my money it’s closer to that 10/10 than it generally gets credit for in recent years. Let go of its status as a sequel to Chrono Trigger, though it is a very good one in a certain sense. Appreciate it for the brilliantly constructed RPG that it is, one with a plot as impressive as the bulk of its playable characters are shallow. If Final Fantasy VII is perfectly indicative of Square’s output in the early PlayStation years, Chrono Cross is a superb example of its output in the console’s twilight years. Oh, and you get the previously Japan-exclusive Radical Dreamers narrative adventure on top of it.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero ($39.99)

The Trails series can be a bit hard to break into, especially if you’ve only got Nintendo consoles at your disposal. While the Trails of Cold Steel games are very good, the fact that the third game was the first to hit the Switch makes it feel like you’re walking into a party that is half-over. Trails from Zero isn’t technically the starting point for this narratively dense series, but it is a starting point. The best one Switch owners have, really. It’s also a very enjoyable RPG with a classic feel and an outstanding, richly developed setting.

Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi ($59.99)

When I do these lists, I usually like to include one game that makes most people wonder what I’m talking about. This time, it’s Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi. Friends, I love first-person dungeon crawl RPGs. As a kid I subsisted on Wizardry and Might & Magic. During the DS and 3DS years, I rolled from Etrian Odyssey to Etrian Odyssey. You don’t even want to see my PlayStation Vita library. I’m picky about what I recommend in this category however, and with that in mind I want you to understand that I do not suggest Undernauts lightly. It’s crafted by the experienced folks at Experience, and its horror themes and novel gameplay mechanics ensure it isn’t just another face in the crowd.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin ($59.99)

From gritty horror to brightly-colored adventures. Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is a sequel I frankly never expected to happen given the span of time that had passed after the release of the first one. Stories takes the well-loved Monster Hunter setting and trimmings and puts a whole new spin on it, and this installment is a lot less toyetic about how it goes about things. It’s also one of the more approachable JRPGs on this list, while being deep enough that JRPG fans should be able to get what they need from it. Capcom puts this one on deep discount fairly often, making it even more of a steal.

That’s the list, friends. Add even a few of these games to your collection and you’ll be busy for weeks on end. More importantly, you’ll be having a blast the whole time. Do you have any other JRPGs that you love that have somehow escaped both of our lists? Post them in the comments below and let everyone know what else they should be looking for in that wild frontier that is the eShop. Thanks for reading!

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for October 27th, 2022. It’s Thursday, and perhaps most importantly it is the last Thursday in October. That means we’ve got almost thirty new games to look at, and I’m sure there will be some stragglers to catch up with tomorrow. We’ve got summaries of everything on the schedule at the moment, plus a bit of news and the usual lists of new and outgoing sales. Let’s head on in, as it’s an extra big-pants version today.

News

Hide ‘n Seek Game ‘Obakeidoro’ is the Latest Switch Online Trial

This is an odd pull. From now until November 1st at 11:59 PM PT, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers can download and play the multiplayer hide ‘n seek game Obakeidoro for free. If you enjoy it and want to keep it, you can buy it for half-price until November 13th. This trial coincides with the arrival of some Castlevania DLC for the game, so it all kind of makes sense from a certain point of view. I didn’t love this game back when I reviewed it, but maybe I’ll revisit it and see if it has seen some improvements.

New Releases

Dariusburst CS Core + Taito/SEGA Pack ($29.99)

See, and you probably thought Taito was out of Darius games to rerelease. Nope! Here’s Dariusburst CS (aka Chronicle Saviours), the home version of the arcade game Dariusburst Another Chronicle, which was previously ported to Switch. This fits the Switch screen dimensions better, has more content, and includes some bonus content that involves other Taito characters and some of SEGA’s characters. Really just here for the biggest Darius fans, I think.

Arkanoid – Eternal Battle ($29.99)

I like developer Pastagames and I like Arkanoid, but even I’m kind of flinching at thirty bucks for a brick breaker in 2022. So what does it have to offer over the rest of the pack beyond the name? The main selling point seems to be multiplayer. It has support for up to four players locally and up to twenty-five online, and that could certainly be a lot of fun. There are also a couple of single-player modes for those who just want the solo experience, with new power-ups and spacewalls to mess with. The ultimate decision is yours, friends.

Live by the Sword: Tactics ($24.99)

On the hunt for another turn-based tactical RPG to hold you over until Tactics Ogre releases in a couple weeks? This one might be worth considering. It has that isometric viewpoint all the kids like, and has a variety of modes to play. You’ve got a standard story to play through, a roguelite spin on the genre, a scenario mode, and multiplayer battles via local and online play. There are seven different job classes, and they each have six different abilities you can use. You can only bring four of those abilities into battle, so you have to make some choices about your build. This one has more than a few fans over on Steam, and I imagine it will find a receptive audience on Switch so long as the Tactics Ogre train doesn’t slam into it too hard.

Arcade Archives Ordyne ($7.99)

It’s Namco time in Arcade Archives again, this time bringing the 1988 side-scrolling shooter Ordyne into the fold. Western gamers will probably know this best from its TurboGrafx-16 release, and you know when a game is best known for a TG-16 release that it’s at least a little obscure. It’s a decent shooter with an attractive presentation. Hardly a must-have or anything, but shoot-em-up fans will enjoy it.

Brewmaster: Beer Brewing Simulator ($17.99)

Take the popular Cooking Simulator, cut out some of the sillier stuff, and lean hard into the details, and you’ve got Brewmaster: Beer Brewing Simulator. You can play in a story mode where you have to work your way up, or jump to the creative mode where everything is already unlocked and you can just do what you want. If you have an interest in brewing beer, this could merit a bit of your attention.

Hot Springs Story 2 ($14.00)

The trouble with Kairosoft’s approach to making games is that if they ever revisit a particular theme it gets really murky as to what makes it worth buying. Anyway, this goes back to one of the publisher’s earlier concepts for another go. It has some new baths and new features, and I suppose if you really loved the original there’s no reason you wouldn’t want another. I must as ever do my duty of informing you this is half the price on mobile and plays perfectly well. Do what you will with that.

Paradigm Paradox ($49.99)

Visual novel time. This one is about a young woman who ends up becoming part of a magical girl team. There does not seem to be any obvious vectors in the premise for smooching handsome dudes, but something tells me it will find its way to it anyway. I mean, look at that screenshot. File that one under “Pictures taken just before smoochery”.

Asterix & Obelix XXXL: The Ram From Hibernia ($39.99)

This one is an action-adventure game for up to four players locally, featuring the ever-popular comic characters. Explore six worlds, slapping and smashing any Romans you meet along the way, and tossing anything and everything you can get your hands on. I sure hope this is better than the last one. I’m not hopeful it will be, though.

Horse Club Adventures 2: Hazelwood Stories ($39.99)

Here’s another helping of Horse Club Adventures, and I’m sorry to say that I’m well past the point of being able to distinguish these. And that’s okay! They’re not for me. If you or someone you know enjoyed the first game, then you’ll probably have a perfectly lovely time here. Take care of your horse, ride around, participate in events, and customize how your character and their steed look. If nothing else, it looks like a proper event.

A Winding Path ($6.99)

A stylish, hand-drawn adventure game that you can clear in a couple of lazy hours. It has decent puzzles and the novelty largely carries it through to its close. The rain has disappeared, and you go on a quest to bring it back in order to save your world. Not bad at all for the price.

Saturnalia ($19.99)

An interesting spin on the survival-horror concept. You have four different characters to play as, and the village you’re exploring will change its layout each time all of them die. They all have their own reasons to be there and bring their own talents to the table, and there are a variety of missions and puzzles to tackle regardless of who you’re controlling. The visual style is immediately striking, calling to mind those rotoscoped videos and games that were trendy for a hot minute thirty or so years ago.

Signalis ($19.99)

I sure hope you like horror games, because we’ve got a whole bag of them today. This is another survival-horror thing, but it’s very different stylistically and mechanically from Saturnalia. It’s set in the future where you wake up from cryogenic sleep and all kinds of things have obviously gone wrong. Try to find your lost partner while navigating all kind of strange problems, solving puzzles, and carefully managing your resources as best as you can. This one is getting some very solid reviews so far, and is probably something you should look into picking up if you aren’t a chicken like me.

Buddy Simulator 1984 ($9.99)

This game is really obviously a horror game and doesn’t even try to hide it. But it apparently starts off benign, lulling you into thinking it’s an AI buddy that learns and shapes itself according to your preferences. I’m guessing things go completely ca-ca at some point. From what I can gather the game has a strong start but eventually gets a bit repetitive after a while. Still seems to have a lot of fans, so if you like the whole meta-horror thing it might be something for you.

Synaxarion: Acts Part 1 ($4.99)

Gosh, we’re a long way from censoring crosses and priests out of games. So yes, this is apparently a game where you play as a disciple of Christ and witness various things from the Bible. The game description reads like a sermon and half the screen shots just look like verses from the Bible. I feel like I’m flashing back to my childhood here, except I doubt there are any Chicken McNuggets waiting at the end this time.

The Pinball Wizard ($7.99)

Oh hey, another Apple Arcade game. This one is actually quite reasonably priced, so if you enjoyed it on your mobile device and want it in a more permanent form, here you go. You play as a wizard that also doubles as a pinball. You have to survive long enough to reach the top of the tower. I enjoyed this one on my iPhone, enough that I might just grab it here.

Harmony’s Odyssey ($14.99)

A colorful puzzle game where you need to rearrange pieces in various dioramas to set things right. In between puzzles, there are different minigames to play that help break up the action. You get more than one hundred puzzles to solve, set in eight different biomes. There are lots of cute details and animations to check out in each stage, and the whole game has a really vibrant look to it. Fans of chill puzzlers may want to give it a look.

Rule No. 1 ($5.99)

Uh oh, eastasiasoft has its hand down its pants again, and you know what that means. A new game! This one is an arena-based first-person shooter that uses a mix of 3D and 2D objects to create a look I can only describe as chaos. The main character likes to trash talk, and as you make progress through the game you’ll unlock some lewd images that you can view in the gallery. Pretty typical eastasiasoft fare, for better or worse.

Vereda – Escape Room Adventure ($8.99)

Rooms. They are enclosed spaces. Sometimes we like to be in them. Sometimes we like to be out of them. And sometimes we like to be in them figuring out a way to be out of them. This game aims to deliver on that last preference. You’re playing as a secret agent trying to recover a dossier or something, I don’t know. Just come and solve the puzzles. That’s how this all works.

Escape String ($6.99)

Sometimes robots want to be out of rooms, too. But unless a robot can think for itself, it is going to have some trouble with that task. Like a Roomba getting caught under a sofa. In this game, you have to pre-program all of the necessary moves for the robot to make its way around the obstacles leading to the exit. There are forty levels to play, and you can unlock extra skins for the robot. To do so, you have to complete a level with the minimum number of moves in a single string. So that would be the extra challenge, if you need one. Seems fine for the price.

Alterity Experience ($9.99)

Kind of a horror adventure game? You basically have to defend your home against alien invaders by using your home security system, all while trying to solve the mysteries of their origins and how to get rid of them. There are only a couple of puzzles in the game, with a far greater emphasis on running around trying to keep the aliens from getting in. A different kind of scary experience compared to the others today, I suppose.

Isekai Harem Saver ($1.99)

I wonder what the catch is here? This is definitely the lowest price we’ve seen for one of these visual novels, and there’s nothing I can see here to explain why. Oh well. The usual set-up: you are a mediocre dude who ends up in another world where a bevy of gorgeous ladies want to get romantic with him. A particularly acute case this time, as this other world is 100% women. He’s the only dude they have seen in around a decade, and it’s his job to, uh, propagate the species. All of them. Good luck with that!

Hidden Paws Mystery ($3.99)

Search for one hundred hidden cats on twenty islands. It’s mainly an excuse to cruise around and check out the interesting layouts and designs the developers have come up with. Is that worth four bucks to you? I’ll let you decide.

Insomnis ($14.99)

This is truly the season for this kind of game. Here is another one. It’s a first-person horror game with a narrative emphasis where you solve puzzles while exploring a spooky space. In this case, it’s a mansion you’ve inherited. Why visit these places at night? Who knows.

Temple of Horror ($9.99)

Another horror game from the folks behind Aery. You’re trapped in an ominously-named temple and need to escape, all while avoiding the monsters and lost souls lurking within. Not really my kind of thing, but maybe it’s yours.

Pixel Artist ($14.99)

Essentially a coloring book. Zoom in on the pixels, grab the color of the corresponding number, and fill in the dots. Eventually you have a nice picture. There are more than a hundred different pictures, and you can play them at a variety of pixel densities. Feels a touch pricey for what’s on offer, but only a touch.

Solitaire: Classic Card Game ($9.99)

Megame has a very basic Klondike Solitaire game for us today, cheekily priced at a tenner. There are three different difficulty levels, but otherwise there isn’t much here beyond a simple game of Klondike. You can find far better choices for similar or lower prices on the eShop.

Cubic Parking ($2.99)

Just another one of those wood block puzzles in the guise of a parking lot, but the developer couldn’t be bothered to make things look like cars so instead you get a “minimalist” take. Move the stuff out of the way to slide the double-arrow out on each of the thirty stages. It’s only three bucks, but why not download a free game like this on your phone and enjoy a couple of tasty Snickers bars instead?

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

There will be a lot more sales to catch up on tomorrow, but for now we’ve got a decent enough bunch to look at. Some pervy RPGs, some pervy otome visual novels, some pervy action-adventure games, and a very pervy octopus dad simulator. Oh, and The Wonderful 101 is on sale if anyone feels like tossing Kamiya a few coins after the ridiculousness of the last couple of weeks. Not too much in the outbox to get excited about, but check it anyway just to be sure.

Select New Games on Sale

Fairy Fencer F: ADF ($5.99 from $29.99 until 11/1)
Azur Lane: Crosswave ($14.99 from $49.99 until 11/1)
Super Neptunia RPG ($11.99 from $39.99 until 11/1)
Death end re;Quest ($8.99 from $29.99 until 11/1)
Death end re;Quest 2 ($19.99 from $49.99 until 11/1)
Arc of Alchemist ($11.99 from $39.99 until 11/1)
Moero Chronicle Hyper ($7.99 from $19.99 until 11/1)
Megadimension Neptunia VII ($8.99 from $29.99 until 11/1)
Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars ($19.99 from $49.99 until 11/1)
Mary Skelter 2 ($9.99 from $39.99 until 11/1)
Mary Skelter Finale ($19.99 from $49.99 until 11/1)
Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei ($19.99 from $49.99 until 11/1)
Cupid Parasite ($24.99 from $49.99 until 11/1)
Amnesia: Memories ($39.99 from $49.99 until 11/1)
Amnesia: Later x Crowd ($39.99 from $49.99 until 11/1)

Supaplex WOW ($10.49 from $14.99 until 11/1)
BloodRayne: ReVamped ($13.99 from $19.99 until 11/2)
BloodRayne 2: ReVamped ($13.99 from $19.99 until 11/2)
BloodRayne Betrayal: Fresh Bites ($12.99 from $19.99 until 11/2)
Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water ($29.99 from $39.99 until 11/9)
Fatal Frame: MoBW Digital Deluxe ($41.24 from $54.99 until 11/9)
Ogre: Console Edition ($16.86 from $22.49 until 11/10)
Megaquarium ($9.83 from $24.59 until 11/10)
Bugsnax ($12.49 from $24.99 until 11/10)
Octodad: Dadliest Catch ($2.99 from $14.99 until 11/10)
Obakeidoro ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/14)
Unichrome: A 1-Bit Unicorn Adventure ($11.99 from $14.99 until 11/15)
Demon Gaze Extra Deluxe ($38.99 from $64.99 until 11/16)
The Wonderful 101 Remastered ($17.99 from $39.99 until 11/16)
Romeow: To the Cracked Mars ($1.99 from $2.99 until 11/16)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, Friday, October 28th

99Vidas ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/28)
A Frog’s Job ($3.99 from $4.99 until 10/28)
A Juggler’s Tale ($11.69 from $17.99 until 10/28)
ADVERSE ($1.99 from $5.99 until 10/28)
Bricky to Me ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/28)
Demon’s Rise War for the Deep ($1.99 from $6.99 until 10/28)
Driving Quest ($3.99 from $9.99 until 10/28)
El Hijo: A Wild West Tale ($11.99 from $19.99 until 10/28)
Him & Her Collection ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/28)
Hob: Definitive Edition ($3.99 from $19.99 until 10/28)
Metal Unit ($4.79 from $15.99 until 10/28)
MXGP3 Motocross ($1.99 from $19.99 until 10/28)
Puzzletronics: DI ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/28)

Raven’s Hike ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/28)
Shieldwall Chronicles: SotN ($1.99 from $7.99 until 10/28)
Shing! ($1.99 from $19.99 until 10/28)
Subnautica ($14.99 from $29.99 until 10/28)
Subnautica: Below Zero ($14.99 from $29.99 until 10/28)
Super Hiking League ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/28)
Torchlight II ($4.99 from $19.99 until 10/28)
Torchlight III ($9.99 from $39.99 until 10/28)
Underland: The Climb ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/28)
Warhammer 40k Shootas Blood & Teef ($17.99 from $19.99 until 10/28)

That’s all for today, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow with the remaining releases of the week, with Bayonetta 3 vigorously leading the charge. I think there are around ten games on the schedule, but there will surely be a few games that pop up today that I’ll have to include. There should also be a bunch of sales, perhaps with a horror/Halloween theme. I hope you all have a terrific Thursday, and as always, thanks for reading!