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 our usual sales reports. Let's dive in!

News

Nintendo Direct/Indie World Showcase Recap

As predicted by some industry insiders, Nintendo surprised us with a last-minute Nintendo Direct! The 40-minute presentation covered 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, no news on the next-generation Switch console. A detailed summary of the key highlights will be available tomorrow.

Reviews & Mini-Views

EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)

This untranslated EGGCONSOLE release presents a familiar dilemma: is the game itself enjoyable, and is it playable without understanding Japanese? Star Trader is an intriguing, albeit not exceptional, title. Falcom blends adventure game elements with side-scrolling shooter stages, but neither aspect shines particularly brightly. The adventure sections feature appealing artwork, and the attempt to integrate a narrative into the shooter gameplay is noteworthy. Players interact with characters, undertake quests, and earn money to upgrade their ship, crucial for progressing through the action sequences.

The shooting segments, however, suffer from the PC-8801's limitations, resulting in jerky, choppy visuals. The overall balance between the two game types is unclear, leaving Star Trader more curious than compelling. The significant amount of Japanese text in the adventure sections severely hinders enjoyment for Western players, making it difficult to recommend wholeheartedly. While some aspects might be decipherable through gameplay, the lack of translation significantly impacts the overall experience.

Star Trader offers a glimpse into gaming history, showcasing a developer venturing beyond their usual style. However, the substantial Japanese text significantly limits its appeal to a non-Japanese speaking audience. While some experimentation might be worthwhile, a strong recommendation is difficult to justify.

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 and tasked with eternal cleaning duties. Players explore, battle enemies with a broom, meet quirky characters, and overcome bosses while upgrading abilities. While familiar in structure, Crypt Custodian delivers a surprisingly enjoyable experience for fans of the genre.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

For fans of colorful shooters with unique mechanics, the Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi are highly recommended. Don't miss out on the sale for 1000xRESIST! Other noteworthy titles on sale include various Star Wars games, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and the Tomb Raider collection. Check out the detailed lists below!

Select New Sales

(List of new sales)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th

(List of sales ending tomorrow)

That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for a recap of the Nintendo Direct, along with new game releases, sales, and more reviews. Have a great Tuesday!