Hello gaming enthusiasts, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 27th, 2024! Today's update begins with some exciting news, followed by a review and a look at new releases. We'll wrap things up with the usual sales information. Let's dive in!

News

Nintendo Direct/Indie World Showcase Recap

As predicted by some industry insiders, Nintendo surprised us with a last-minute Nintendo Direct! The 40-minute presentation featured a Partner Showcase and an Indie World Showcase. While primarily focused on third-party titles and indie games, it lacked any major first-party announcements and, unsurprisingly, offered no details about the next-generation Switch console. A detailed summary of the key announcements will be provided tomorrow.

Reviews & Mini-Views

EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)

This untranslated EGGCONSOLE release presents a familiar dilemma: is the game enjoyable despite the language barrier? Star Trader is an intriguing, albeit not exceptional, title. Falcom blends adventure game elements with side-scrolling shooter stages, but neither aspect is particularly polished. The adventure sections boast appealing artwork, offering a unique narrative approach for a shoot 'em up. Players engage in conversations, accept quests, and earn money to upgrade their ship—crucial for progressing through the action sequences.

The shooter segments, however, suffer from the PC-8801's limitations, resulting in choppy scrolling. Even with smoother movement, the gameplay might not be outstanding. While the game's structure is unclear, Star Trader is more captivating than truly excellent. The significant amount of Japanese text heavily impacts the experience. Without understanding Japanese, players miss half the game and struggle to earn sufficient credits for ship upgrades. Although some progress is possible through trial and error, the overall experience is significantly hampered.

Star Trader provides a glimpse into gaming history, showcasing a developer venturing beyond their usual style. However, the extensive Japanese text makes it difficult to recommend wholeheartedly. While some enjoyment might be gleaned from experimentation, the language barrier significantly detracts from the overall experience.

SwitchArcade Score: 3/5

Select New Releases

Crypt Custodian ($19.99)

This top-down action-adventure game follows Pluto, a recently deceased cat banished from the afterlife for misbehaving. Pluto must clean up the palace as punishment. Players explore, battle enemies with a broom, encounter quirky characters, fight bosses, and upgrade abilities. This familiar genre is executed well, making it a worthwhile purchase for fans of the style.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Fans of colorful shoot 'em ups with unique mechanics should check out the Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi. For a must-buy, consider 1000xRESIST. Other notable titles on sale include Star Wars games, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and Tomb Raider titles. Check the lists below for details!

Select New Sales

(List of new sales)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th

(List of sales ending tomorrow)

That's all for today! We'll be back tomorrow with a recap of the Nintendo Direct, along with new game releases, sales, and additional reviews. Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!