Hello again, gaming enthusiasts! Welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 27th, 2024. Today's update begins with some exciting news, followed by a game review and a look at a new release. We'll wrap things up with our usual sales lists. 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 both Partner and Indie World Showcases. While primarily showcasing third-party titles and indie games, it lacked any major first-party announcements and, as expected, offered no news on the Switch's successor. You can watch the full presentation above, and we'll provide a detailed summary of the key announcements tomorrow.

Reviews & Mini-Views

EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)

This untranslated EGGCONSOLE release poses the usual questions: Is the game itself enjoyable? And, is it playable without understanding Japanese? Star Trader is an interesting, if not great, title. Falcom's blend of Japanese adventure game elements and side-scrolling shooter stages doesn't quite excel in either genre. The adventure sections boast appealing art, and the attempt to integrate a narrative into a shoot 'em up is unique. Gameplay involves conversing with characters, undertaking quests, and earning money to upgrade your ship. This is crucial for success in the action sequences.

The shooter segments, however, suffer from the PC-8801's limitations, resulting in choppy scrolling. Even if the scrolling were smoother, the gameplay might not be exceptional. While the game's design is intriguing, its execution falls short. This leads us to the language barrier. The adventure sections are text-heavy, requiring player input for optimal progress. Without Japanese comprehension, players miss a significant portion of the game and struggle to earn enough credits for ship upgrades. While brute-forcing is possible, it significantly detracts from the experience.

Star Trader offers a glimpse into gaming history, showcasing a developer venturing beyond their usual style. However, the abundance of Japanese text severely hinders accessibility for Western players. While some enjoyment might be gleaned from experimentation, a strong recommendation is difficult to give.

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. Explore, battle enemies with a broom, meet quirky characters, defeat bosses, and upgrade abilities. It's a familiar formula, but executed well. Fans of the genre should definitely check it out.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

For fans of colorful shooters with unique mechanics, consider the Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi. Also, don't miss out on the sale for 1000xRESIST—it's a must-buy! Other notable sales include Star Wars titles, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and the Tomb Raider remaster. Check out the full lists below!

Select New Sales

Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th

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