Good day mild readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for April thirtieth, 2024. In at this time’s article, we’ve bought a number of opinions so that you can take pleasure in. Our pal Mikhail crashes the door together with his ideas on Reigns: Past and Let’s! Revolution!, and I’ve bought a reasonably hefty take a look at The Epyx Assortment: Handheld. After that, we’ve bought a handful of latest releases to take a peek at, they usually’re not a foul lot all up. Lastly, we carry issues to an in depth for April with lists of latest and expiring gross sales for the day. Let’s put this month to mattress!
Evaluations & Mini-Views
Reigns: Past ($4.99)
I really feel like at this level you both love or hate Nerial’s Reigns collection. Through the years, we’ve seen it undergo sequels, collaborations, completely different eras, and extra, however Nerial additionally took the collection to house for its Apple Arcade sport in Reigns: Past. Just a few years after hitting Apple Arcade, Devolver Digital and Nerial introduced Reigns: Past to Change and Steam, and it’s one other important entry within the collection.
What set Reigns: Past aside when it hit Apple Arcade was its sci-fi setting again then, and it nonetheless holds up brilliantly now on a replay as you set off to turn into well-known as a rock band recruiting whereas enjoying gigs throughout the galaxy. I’ve all the time liked how Nerial elegantly brings the theme of the sport to the interface and menu parts along with the cardboard artwork itself, and Reigns: Past could be the largest leap for me.
On Change, Reigns: Past similar to prior video games, has contact assist and first rate rumble. It appears and runs because it ought to, and there actually isn’t something to complain about with the port. I all the time wished to purchase Reigns: Past to personal as a substitute of solely getting access to it by way of Apple Arcade, and I’ve achieved simply that with this new launch.
I like nearly each Reigns sport, however Reigns: Past is definitely top-of-the-line within the collection, and a brilliant sturdy sport by itself. I nonetheless suppose the unique sport is the most effective entry level, however Reigns: Past is improbable and completely well worth the asking value on Change. In the event you dislike the Reigns video games, this received’t do something to alter your thoughts although. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Rating: 4.5/5
Let’s! Revolution! ($19.99)
Let’s! Revolution! (henceforth Let’s Revolution) is a sport I had my eye on since a pal advised me it was excellent for Steam Deck. I by no means bought round to enjoying it again when it hit PC final 12 months, however the brand new Change port was the proper probability to lastly give it a go. I’ve been enjoying Let’s Revolution on each Change and Steam Deck over the previous few weeks, and it’s glorious virtually throughout the board.
Earlier than trying into the gameplay, Let’s Revolution‘s aesthetic grabbed me from the beginning. It’s attractive with its colourful look, slick animation work, and chic interface. That is all accompanied by an awesome soundtrack that I’ve been listening to whereas working recently. However the true draw of Let’s Revolution is the gameplay.
Let’s Revolution is principally Minesweeper meets roguelite puzzles with turn-based fight. That mix itself is advanced, however the development and lessons within the sport actually elevate Let’s Revolution to one thing particular. There’s some RNG concerned after all, and I wouldn’t have it every other manner regardless of how annoying it has gotten in a number of conditions. That could be a problem for some gamers, however I’m used to it by now.
I had entry to Let’s Revolution on each Steam and Change. I performed it on my OLED Change and Steam Deck and haven’t any complaints with the visuals or efficiency on both handheld. It’s slick, clean, and appears glorious throughout the board with good use of rumble on Change. The one factor I’d prefer to see in potential future updates is contact assist on Change.
Having lastly performed Let’s Revolution due to the brand new console ports, I positively remorse not leaping into it final 12 months on PC. It’s a tremendous mix of Minesweeper and roguelites with attractive visuals, slick animations, and an awesome soundtrack. Except for some points that come up as a consequence of RNG and the dearth of touchscreen assist on Change, I’ve no complaints with Let’s Revolution. It’s a straightforward advice on each Change and Steam Deck. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Rating: 4.5/5
The Epyx Assortment: Handheld ($11.99)
With how a lot the Recreation Boy dominated the primary huge handheld conflict, it could typically be straightforward to neglect in regards to the competitors. SEGA offers us the odd kick to assist us keep in mind the Recreation Gear, however there was one other: Atari’s Lynx. Probably the most highly effective of the three handheld consoles, it had the misfortune of being Atari’s console at a time the place that was a digital assure of final place. Its energy had a heavy price, each in value and battery utilization, and Atari simply wasn’t in a spot to supply it the software program assist it wanted to compete with Nintendo. Realistically talking, it by no means had an opportunity.
However you already know, Atari most likely might have made it simpler on itself. Its proprietor on the time was Jack Tramiel, a pointy businessman who was identified for his tenacious management fashion and… let’s say frugal nature. As was the case with all the consoles launched by Atari throughout Tramiel’s tenure, the Lynx was not developed by Atari itself. Fairly, it was the work of Epyx, an organization greatest identified for its microcomputer hits like Unimaginable Mission and Summer season Video games. Two of the designers of the Amiga laptop had been requested by a former colleague, now at Epyx, to develop a handheld. By the point it was prepared, Epyx’s fortunes had made a big flip for the more serious.
The hand-held, known as the Helpful, was shopped round to varied corporations in hopes of securing a companion. After being turned down by the likes of Nintendo and SEGA, Epyx lastly discovered a possible ray of hope with Atari. A deal was struck whereby Atari would take over manufacturing of the console, which it renamed the Lynx, whereas Epyx would assist it with video games. It’s what Epyx was good at, in spite of everything. It whipped up some video games for the upcoming launch of the system, however in an extremely self-owning transfer (one thing Atari proved to be a dab hand at) Atari performed some nasty hardball with Epyx, depriving the corporate of the funds it desperately wanted to remain in enterprise. Epyx folded earlier than the Lynx even launched, and Atari now owned the entire shebang. Sadly, it now needed to assist the entire thing roughly by itself. Effectively, not less than it had that first blast of titles from Epyx?
An aggravating story, considered one of many from the historical past of Atari. It will get much more irritating if you spend a while with the Lynx’s library of software program. It’s higher than you may count on, even when it wasn’t actually what the console wanted on the time. However these preliminary Epyx video games reveal very properly that it was aware of the console on a extra intimate degree than anybody else, flexing the tech whereas displaying off the writer’s expertise in creating quirky, satisfying video games. One can solely surprise what we might have seen from Epyx had it continued to work on the console over the span of its life. Effectively, such is the enterprise. Okay, that’s the preamble. Let’s get to the overview.
As with many bankrupt corporations, Epyx has seen its IP fall into the fingers of an organization that doesn’t do rather more than license stated IP out to events. Certainly, the set of video games we’re taking a look at right here noticed launch, together with two different video games, on the Evercade console a number of years in the past. It’s right here on the Change courtesy of Pixel Video games UK and Think about Software program, they usually’ve achieved a fairly good job of the nuts and bolts. The emulation high quality right here is nice, and also you get the vital options like save states, display screen filters, and rewind. We’ve additionally bought 3D fashions of the packing containers and manuals right here, albeit rigorously scrubbed to take away any and all mentions of Atari, the Lynx, and different marks not related to Epyx. It will be good if there was some historic context right here, however for the value it’s onerous to be too upset with what we’ve been given.
How about these video games, although? You get six of them right here, which makes up two-thirds of the video games Epyx developed for the Lynx and roughly 8% of the whole industrial library of the platform. One other Epyx sport, Chip’s Problem, was already launched individually. The opposite two video games use IP belonging to WB Video games, who appear to have forgotten they personal any video video games that predate the 12 months 2000. So realistically, these are the one six we might have gotten. The video games included listed here are: Blue Lightning, California Video games, Electrocop, Gates of Zendocon, Todd’s Adventures in Slime World, and Zarlor Mercenary. In the event you keep in mind the Lynx however didn’t personal one, likelihood is these are a number of the titles you most strongly affiliate with the system.
Blue Lightning is an actual tech showcase, demonstrating that Lynx might do a greater tackle After Burner than SEGA’s personal 16-bit console apparently might. The sport itself has a way more relaxed tempo than SEGA’s arcade hit, and regardless of how good it appears and sounds for its period it’s a reasonably common sport. California Video games was the pack-in for the system and options 4 excessive sports activities occasions. Your mileage will range with every of those, however the browsing and footbag minigames are as satisfying as ever. Electrocop is an early tackle a roguelite motion sport and is one other {hardware} flex. Those that are affected person with it would discover it extra rewarding than it initially appears. In all probability the clunkiest of the lot right here, nevertheless.
Gates of Zendocon is a horizontal shooter, and it’s a moderately unorthodox one. Don’t come into it anticipating one thing standard and also you may discover so much to love. Todd’s Adventures in Slime World isn’t the sport you may suppose it’s, however there’s a sure pleasure in its methodical action-adventure gameplay. It’s a disgrace we don’t have multiplayer assist on this assortment, as a result of this sport would actually profit from that characteristic being out there. Zarlor Mercenary is a vertical shooter that I’ve by no means actually gotten on properly with. It’s one other uncommon tackle its style, and also you may prefer it higher than I do. All up, not a foul bunch of video games when you think about they work out to about two bucks every.
The Epyx Assortment: Handheld is a very good starter set for these trying to examine the Atari Lynx library. I’d say this can be a higher and extra iconic choice than the Lynx video games included in Atari 50, even. Whilst you received’t get any fascinating historic info right here, the included quality-of-life options, together with extras like guide and field scans, make this a stable effort on the entire. The video games themselves run the gamut from fascinating experiments to downright compelling experiences. Greater than value digging into, in my view.
SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5
New Releases
Tales from Candleforth ($11.99)
Add one other point-and-click fashion journey sport to the Change’s moderately hefty roster. A woman named Sarah takes over the household apothecary after her grandmother goes lacking, and shortly discovers that not every little thing is what she believed it to be. With hints that her grandmother may nonetheless be alive, Sarah finds herself neck-deep in her household’s secrets and techniques. A few of these secrets and techniques could be very harmful certainly, however she’ll need to confront all of them the identical.
The Fall of Elena Temple ($2.99)
We’ve seen her adventures, and we’ve seen her definitive adventures, however now we should bear witness to the autumn of Elena Temple. No, actually. It is a puzzle-action sport the place it is advisable accumulate all the cash in every of the twenty rooms, however there’s one drawback: gravity. Fortunately, you could have an answer: time mischief. You may undo a set variety of falls in every room, and if you do the cash you grabbed will stay collected. By this implies, you could snatch up all of these cash littered about. Defy the legal guidelines of the universe, Elena. See the place it will get you.
Earlier than the Inexperienced Moon ($11.99)
A type of Harvest Moon-inspired sluggish life farming sims, this one with a slight sci-fi twist to it. Evaluations over on Steam are fairly optimistic, with a number of reward going to how the small solid of characters is developed over the course of the sport. The actual query mark at this level is how properly the Change port has been dealt with, and that’s one thing I don’t but have a solution for. Let’s hope it’s a clean one so we are able to add one other good farming sim sport to the record.
House Routine ($4.99)
A life simulation a couple of house household doing house issues. For 5 {dollars} I wouldn’t need to get my hopes up too excessive, however this developer’s earlier sport was a number of enjoyable and I’m hoping this one pans out the identical manner. You’ll need to handle every member of the household’s typically routine, typically surreal each day life. Could possibly be enjoyable, however I haven’t had the prospect to strive it but so I can’t say with any certainty at this level.
Gross sales
(North American eShop, US Costs)
In the event you’re available in the market for catgirls, at this time’s inbox might be of curiosity to you. The entire Nekopara “saga” for twelve bucks. Twelve bucks and your sense of disgrace, you lewd creature. Except for that… properly, you’ll be able to take a look by yourself. Not a lot within the outbox, until you need to replenish on Team17 video games throughout their once-per-month line-wide sale.
Choose New Gross sales
Digimon Survive ($17.99 from $59.99 till 5/13)
Surprise Boy Returns Remix ($2.99 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Nekopara Vol 1 ($2.99 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Nekopara Vol 2 ($2.99 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Nekopara Vol 3 ($2.99 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Nekopara Vol 4 ($2.99 from $14.99 till 5/13)
QV ($4.49 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Resort Sowls ($2.39 from $7.99 till 5/13)
MazM: Jekyll and Hyde ($4.49 from $14.99 till 5/13)
MazM: Pechka ($11.99 from $14.99 till 5/13)
MazM: Phantom of the Opera ($4.49 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Motesolo: No Girlfriend Since Start ($13.99 from $19.99 till 5/13)
Zombie Hunter: D-Day ($2.24 from $8.99 till 5/13)
Smilemo ($2.99 from $9.99 till 5/13)
Savior of the Abyss ($2.99 from $9.99 till 5/13)
Shutter Nyan! Enhanced Version ($7.49 from $14.99 till 5/13)
My Divorce Story ($3.99 from $7.99 till 5/13)
Tremendous Nanaru ($2.99 from $9.99 till 5/13)
HammerHelm ($8.99 from $14.99 till 5/13)
Who’s Zombie ($2.69 from $8.99 till 5/13)
Miracle Snack Store ($9.99 from $19.99 till 5/13)
Mortal Kombat 1 ($34.99 from $69.99 till 5/20)
Batman: Arkham Trilogy ($35.99 from $59.99 till 5/20)
Negligee ($6.69 from $9.99 till 5/20)
Roomie Romance ($4.99 from $9.99 till 5/20)
Tremendous Dungeon Maker ($7.99 from $19.99 till 5/20)
Gross sales Ending Tomorrow, Might 1st
9 Years of Shadows ($13.99 from $19.99 till 5/1)
Amber Metropolis ($5.39 from $8.99 till 5/1)
Braveland Trilogy ($2.99 from $14.99 till 5/1)
Bravery and Greed ($7.99 from $19.99 till 5/1)
CLOSER ($4.19 from $5.99 till 5/1)
Dreamscaper ($6.24 from $24.99 till 5/1)
Guild of Dungeoneering UE ($9.99 from $19.99 till 5/1)
Jetboard Joust ($1.99 from $9.99 till 5/1)
Mars Base ($1.99 from $19.99 till 5/1)
Neon Blight ($1.99 from $19.99 till 5/1)
Break Raiders ($1.99 from $19.99 till 5/1)
Shalnor Legends 2: ToT ($3.99 from $9.99 till 5/1)
Stolen Realm ($15.99 from $19.99 till 5/1)
Terracotta ($1.99 from $19.99 till 5/1)
The Knight Witch ($6.79 from $19.99 till 5/1)
The Previous Inside ($1.99 from $5.99 till 5/1)
The Serpent Rogue ($1.99 from $19.99 till 5/1)
To The Rescue! ($1.99 from $19.99 till 5/1)
TOEM ($4.99 from $19.99 till 5/1)
Worms WMD ($5.99 from $29.99 till 5/1)
Yoku’s Island Categorical ($3.99 from $19.99 till 5/1)
Yooka-Laylee & the Unimaginable Lair ($2.99 from $29.99 till 5/1)
That’s all for at this time and this month, pals. We’ll be again tomorrow with the standard Wednesday stuff. Extra new releases, extra gross sales, perhaps a overview or two, and no matter huge information rolls in. I’m a bit sleepy so I’ll forgo the standard slice of life remark for at this time. I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday, and as all the time, thanks for studying!
