Hi there mild readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for April thirtieth, 2024. In in the present day’s article, we’ve acquired a number of opinions so that you can get pleasure from. Our pal Mikhail crashes the door together with his ideas on Reigns: Past and Let’s! Revolution!, and I’ve acquired a reasonably hefty take a look at The Epyx Assortment: Handheld. After that, we’ve acquired a handful of latest releases to take a peek at, and so they’re not a foul lot all up. Lastly, we convey issues to a detailed for April with lists of latest and expiring gross sales for the day. Let’s put this month to mattress!
Critiques & Mini-Views
Reigns: Past ($4.99)
I really feel like at this level you both love or hate Nerial’s Reigns collection. Over time, we’ve seen it undergo sequels, collaborations, totally different eras, and extra, however Nerial additionally took the collection to area for its Apple Arcade sport in Reigns: Past. A number of 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 grow to be 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 components along with the cardboard artwork itself, and Reigns: Past may be the largest bounce for me.
On Change, Reigns: Past identical to prior video games, has contact help and respectable rumble. It seems to be 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 accessing it through Apple Arcade, and I’ve achieved simply that with this new launch.
I like nearly each Reigns sport, however Reigns: Past is well among the best within the collection, and an excellent sturdy sport by itself. I nonetheless assume the unique sport is the very best entry level, however Reigns: Past is improbable and completely well worth the asking value on Change. When you dislike the Reigns video games, this gained’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 buddy informed me it was excellent for Steam Deck. I by no means acquired round to enjoying it again when it hit PC final 12 months, however the brand new Change port was the proper likelihood to lastly give it a go. I’ve been enjoying Let’s Revolution on each Change and Steam Deck over the previous couple of 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 incredible soundtrack that I’ve been listening to whereas working currently. However the actual draw of Let’s Revolution is the gameplay.
Let’s Revolution is mainly Minesweeper meets roguelite puzzles with turn-based fight. That mix itself is advanced, however the development and courses within the sport really elevate Let’s Revolution to one thing particular. There’s some RNG concerned in fact, and I wouldn’t have it every other approach regardless of how annoying it has gotten in a number of conditions. That may be a difficulty 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 don’t have any complaints with the visuals or efficiency on both handheld. It’s slick, easy, and appears glorious throughout the board with good use of rumble on Change. The one factor I’d wish to see in potential future updates is contact help on Change.
Having lastly performed Let’s Revolution because of the brand new console ports, I undoubtedly remorse not leaping into it final 12 months on PC. It’s an incredible mix of Minesweeper and roguelites with attractive visuals, slick animations, and an incredible soundtrack. Apart from some points that come up attributable to RNG and the dearth of touchscreen help on Change, I’ve no complaints with Let’s Revolution. It’s a simple suggestion on each Change and Steam Deck. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Rating: 4.5/5
The Epyx Assortment: Handheld ($11.99)
With how a lot the Sport Boy dominated the primary large handheld struggle, it will possibly typically be simple to overlook in regards to the competitors. SEGA provides us the odd kick to assist us keep in mind the Sport Gear, however there was one other: Atari’s Lynx. Essentially 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 value, each in value and battery utilization, and Atari simply wasn’t in a spot to supply it the software program help it wanted to compete with Nintendo. Realistically talking, it by no means had an opportunity.
However you understand, Atari in all probability 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 model 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. Moderately, it was the work of Epyx, an organization greatest identified for its microcomputer hits like Unimaginable Mission and Summer time Video games. Two of the designers of the Amiga pc 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 firms in hopes of securing a associate. 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 help it with video games. It’s what Epyx was good at, in any case. 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 help the entire thing kind of by itself. Effectively, no less than it had that first blast of titles from Epyx?
An aggravating story, certainly one of many from the historical past of Atari. It will get much more irritating whenever you spend a while with the Lynx’s library of software program. It’s higher than you would possibly anticipate, even when it wasn’t actually what the console wanted on the time. However these preliminary Epyx video games show very effectively that it was aware of the console on a extra intimate degree than anybody else, flexing the tech whereas exhibiting off the writer’s expertise in creating quirky, fulfilling video games. One can solely marvel what we’d 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 firms, Epyx has seen its IP fall into the palms of an organization that doesn’t do far more than license stated IP out to events. Certainly, the set of video games we’re 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, and so they’ve achieved a fairly good job of the nuts and bolts. The emulation high quality right here is sweet, and also you get the essential options like save states, display screen filters, and rewind. We’ve additionally acquired 3D fashions of the packing containers and manuals right here, albeit fastidiously 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 worth it’s exhausting 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 full 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 below are: Blue Lightning, California Video games, Electrocop, Gates of Zendocon, Todd’s Adventures in Slime World, and Zarlor Mercenary. When you keep in mind the Lynx however didn’t personal one, likelihood is these are a few 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 seems to be 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 fluctuate 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’s going to discover it extra rewarding than it initially appears. Most likely 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 would possibly discover loads to love. Todd’s Adventures in Slime World isn’t the sport you would possibly assume it’s, however there’s a sure pleasure in its methodical action-adventure gameplay. It’s a disgrace we don’t have multiplayer help on this assortment, as a result of this sport would actually profit from that function being out there. Zarlor Mercenary is a vertical shooter that I’ve by no means actually gotten on effectively with. It’s one other uncommon tackle its style, and also you would possibly 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 extremely good starter set for these trying to examine the Atari Lynx library. I’d say it is a higher and extra iconic choice than the Lynx video games included in Atari 50, even. When you gained’t get any fascinating historic data right here, the included quality-of-life options, together with extras like handbook 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 price digging into, in my view.
SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5
New Releases
Tales from Candleforth ($11.99)
Add one other point-and-click model 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 would possibly nonetheless be alive, Sarah finds herself neck-deep in her household’s secrets and techniques. A few of these secrets and techniques may 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 you’ll want to 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’ll be able to undo a set variety of falls in every room, and whenever 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 gradual life farming sims, this one with a slight sci-fi twist to it. Critiques over on Steam are fairly constructive, with a variety of reward going to how the small forged of characters is developed over the course of the sport. The true query mark at this level is how effectively 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 easy one so we will add one other good farming sim sport to the listing.
House Routine ($4.99)
A life simulation a couple of area household doing area issues. For 5 {dollars} I wouldn’t need to get my hopes up too excessive, however this developer’s earlier sport was a variety of enjoyable and I’m hoping this one pans out the identical approach. You’ll need to handle every member of the household’s typically routine, typically surreal day by day life. Could possibly be enjoyable, however I haven’t had the prospect to attempt it but so I can’t say with any certainty at this level.
Gross sales
(North American eShop, US Costs)
When you’re available in the market for catgirls, in the present day’s inbox shall be of curiosity to you. The entire Nekopara “saga” for twelve bucks. Twelve bucks and your sense of disgrace, you lewd creature. Apart from that… effectively, you’ll be able to take a look by yourself. Not a lot within the outbox, except you need to refill 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)
Wreck 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 in the present day and this month, mates. We’ll be again tomorrow with the same old Wednesday stuff. Extra new releases, extra gross sales, possibly a overview or two, and no matter large information rolls in. I’m a bit sleepy so I’ll forgo the same old slice of life remark for in the present day. I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday, and as all the time, thanks for studying!
